We got a message on Daniel's cell phone Tuesday night. It was Lance, our brother-in-law, telling us that he would be in town the following day and might want to sleep over. So...he didn't end up sleeping over, but we did meet up with him, Josh, and Elizabeth for a "family-night-out" in the DFW area! Lance is a barrel of laughs, so we had a great night of lots of laughter. 
The other 2 times were, surprisingly enough, in Egypt! Yes, there is an opera house in Cairo, and I got to enjoy holiday festivities watching The Nutcracker there.
was beautiful as well. Great costumes. Great stage design. "Snow" even fell from the ceiling last night as the prince and the ladies danced so elegantly. I missed some of the performance because I was enamored by the white, falling from the sky! 
At intermission, Daniel and I stood on the balcony outside and looked over downtown, enjoying the cool night air and playing with effects on our camera! We are picture-taking fools...but love capturing sweet moments! Isn't this a great picture? - Daniel, looking over Fort Worth?!?!!
Daniel and I are enjoying our first Christmas as a married couple! We've been playing Christmas music in our homes and in our cars since a bit before Thanksgiving even. 
He got me Selah's Christmas CD, which I am loving! In late November I had a shower for a friend of mine - we made Christmas cookies together! 
The first weekend in December we went to see The Nativity Story and bought our Christmas tree, as well as ornaments - so much fun!!! 
God has opened a huge door of ministry to them! We've given them verses to memorize each week, and told them after they memorize 5 verses, we will give them a treat. So, when we were watching The Nativity Story, we knew that was supposed to be their treat! Saturday we will take 5 little Somali children to see The Nativity Story! WHAT A JOY! We are looking forward to it!
Thankgiving!" But I was also hungry! So, Burger King came to our rescue!!!
Saturday Daniel and I rode the four-wheeler through the woods and over the meadow from our house to Granny's and back! Fun times on the 4-wheeler.
That night we brought boxes down from the attic, unboxed Christmas decorations, and started putting 
them on the tree at Mom and Dad's. It's a tradition our family started a few years ago - decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. We missed Jenny and Brian, but they couldn't come up since Meredith was only 2 1/2 weeks old.
We celebrated Thanksgiving at my Granny's on Sunday. It was different, not celebrating at lunch on Thursday like we usually do. But, honestly, it was MUCH nicer not to be so stuffed the entire day on Thursday. This way, we got to spread out the turkey and dressing. Daniel rang the bell to tell everyone it was time for Thanksgiving lunch! 
Here's the crew! After some GREAT turkey and dressing, we all went outside for some fun in Granny's backyard. My cousins invited Rayshun over for Thanksgiving. I'm so glad they did. 
He's just been put up for adoption this past week. Pretty rough times for him right now. So...if you're looking to love on a sweet 14 year old boy...here's an opportunity! 
This is our sweet little 2nd cousin, Annie. She'll be 2 next week! It was this infamous backyard where I fell through the trampoline 7 years ago and cracked and compressed my back because my sister, 2 cousins, and I were all jumping on the trampoline at one time - ON THANKSGIVING AFTERNOON!
The afternoon ended with Daniel challenging Granny to a football toss! It's so fun to see him love on my family and fit in so well!
It was at a Watermark concert at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA, in 1999 that I began sponsoring a little boy named William Peter. He was 5 years old at the time. We've corresponded through letters for about 7 years now. I wrote him after Daniel and I got married and told him I am now married. I also told him about the Somalis that I teach English to. He wrote back in response to my letter to him and thought it was too precious not to post. Oh, how with this letter he's stolen my heart even that much more!! Here's what he says:
We are in Baton Rouge - got here yesterday. Came to meet little Meredith! Wow... she's beautiful. She's got a little dimple to the right of her mouth. 
Super cute. I've held her some, but the house was crowded with mamaw, papaw, mom, dad, Daniel, and me yesterday - all wanting a turn with the new little one! I had a sweet time with her yesterday, rocking her, praying over her, asking that she would honor her mommy and her daddy, honor her God. 
That she would have a deep passion for the Lord and that He would put within her a heart for the nations. That somehow, through the miles that will separate us from her, that she would know her Uncle Danny and Aunt Kim and that the Lord would give us a sweet relationship with her. Sweet time with her! She's sleeping really well through the night already. Jenny is having to wake her up to nurse. 
What a BLESSING not to have a crying little one all night long. Rather, a peaceful little sleeper. We're having a good time. Too short. Headed to College Station tonight on our way to a church-planting conference in Waco on Monday.
