life, as I know it....

This year I have learned more about Advent that I ever have in the past. One, the chocolate here in Advent Calendars is way better haha. Two, I made a sweet notice board, complete with a Santa advent calendar, for the church, and planned lessons for the Point. Pretty crazy how we go through the traditions but don't really know what they are representing. I mean, I knew Advent was the weeks leading up to Christmas, and probably could have come up with the significance of the wreath and the colours, but I didn't know it originated in Germany, and other little facts. While churches here would have wreaths, it is not common for families to have their own. Because this was something I liked growing up, I decided that at the point, we would each make our own wreath. We used a rice and glue mixture, food colouring, and birthday candles! They turned out really well, as you can see in the pictures. We lit the first candle, the hope candle Sunday night. This coming week we are doing secret Santa's, talking about giving at Christmas, and will make cards for our adopted grandparents. There are lots of members of the congregation who have little family and support, so with help from Muriel, the Clerk of Session, I have paired my youth up with these members, and we will be sending them holiday cards through out the year and hopefully having a Grandparent tea at the end of the year! We haven't started yet and the kids don't even know we will be doing this, so I am excited for Sunday. Plus, my youth at church have become my saving grace. I look forward all week to spending time with them on Sunday, and they are what get me through the week.

We have started decorating the house, we need an extension cord to get our wee little tree lighted, but it is nice. We have enough stockings for us, the Brady Bunch, and the kids on our street. I found three lights to go in our front windows, just like mom would do at home but they have already burned out. Christmas parties have started, and going out for a Christmas meal is a big tradition here. Almost all office groups and organizations will have a Christmas meal.

Thursday we had the Newington Day Centre party, it was great! I hung out with Teresa and Joan, two volunteers on Tuesday with me and met Marie, another volunteer who is friends with Joan. We had lots of fun and good conversation. At one point Joan pointed out our age range, lower 20s, upper 30s, 50, and mid 60s, and how great it was that we could sit and have a great time. The comment was fleeting, and went by seemingly unnoticed, but it made a big impression on me. It is amazing how I am finding each day that my friends range in age from 13 to 70. And friends, not just people I work with. It is a new experience, and one that I really value. I also got a card from Grandma this week that had girls shopping and talking about spending time with your girlfriends. Grandma wrote in the card 'We can still be girlfriends, even if I am your grandma!' If I have really learned anything specific thus far in Northern Ireland, this is it. Friendship can cross all boundaries, all differences, and all generations. I hope that the people I work with can learn this two, working to mend the hurt and division the Troubles have left.

I spent the day in town with one of my youth. It was great to just hang out with her, to shop some and just get to know her outside of church. We went for tea at Roast, as is the tradition on my trips into town, and she was shocked when I went to talk to a complete stranger who was wearing a Carolina Panthers jersey. Yes, Panthers, in Belfast. I don't see much NFL gear, and if I do its not Panthers, I was excited. Overall, a great way to spend my Saturday. I am hoping to start spending more time with my youth on days other than Sunday, because I enjoy them.

Now, I am sitting listening to Appalachian playing in the semi-final game on their way to another national championship. I can even hear the cheers and the bell ring on 4th downs. Ah love. Yet again, I am out of the country for the whole playoffs. Last year I was in Barcelona, while my friends all traveled to Chattanooga to watch us win. sad. But still, GOOO MOUNTAINEERS!