This morning I am sitting on our balcony watching a young boy make a purple kite on his rooftop. After about one hour he completes his creation and sets it free to fly. Kites are one of my favorite things. Every March when I was little my father would take me to buy a new kite to fly in the front field on our farm. John and I are excited about starting our own adventures with our children. It is a blast dreaming with him.

(For John’s birthday this year we stayed in a mud hut in Rutledge, MO!)

(Kite flying was a daily occurrence:)

John is out Christmas shopping, while I am having to use secret methods while on bed rest to attain his holiday goodies. So far, my sources have told me 2/3 of the gifts have been found and purchased! Today, I am making one of John’s presents, baking our favorite cookies, and reading in the sunshine. Showing dear appreciation for our strange American humor, we all watched “Elf” last night, which of course was mostly narrated by my husband.

Our Christmas party the other night was great! A group of about 30 carolers came by with santa hats and sung with us in our friends neighborhood. We had a band taking requests and plennnty of karokeeeee to last us until next year. There was a 5 year old and a 6 year old that took turns performing for us, it was absolutely precious. Brittany made some delicious homemade cinnamon rolls AND a chocolate cadbury pie with a thick homemade crust! The night came to an end around midnight while we all sat inside and watched the Disney Christmas Montage. Our friends from Holland have a little girl named Mirah. She is perfect. Before we left she kissed me on the forehead and said, “Next time you teach me how to be a ballerina, Auntie Hope.”

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! In the morning we get to see our little sunshine at my follow up appointment. The baby has been growing so much lately. I asked my OB back home if there was any harm in multiple ultrasounds, seeing as I have had quite a few, she said “No, research has not shown any negative effects from multiple ultrasounds, only that your baby perhaps will have a stronger chance of being left handed!”

(Wahoo! 4 months! Pregnancy blog at wearenowthree.com)

We are going to our friends house from Texas tomorrow night for dinner and games. They have been so wonderful to welcome us as family. So, many of you have asked if we would have a tree this year. Unless we can get some help uprooting a palm or mango tree we will simply have to go without this year. However, I was quite impressed with my oldest brother who built a tree for his wife this year (picture below)!

This is our first Christmas being married! I have enjoyed looking through our pictures from last year, here are a few…

(fresh cut blue spruce love bird tree)

(how do you get mistletoe? with a shotgun of course!)

Switching gears completely…As these words have covered us, we speak them over this nation and are truly grateful to be establishing Hope Again International’s first Homeland for Hope with our International Directors.

(Our International Directors Vinod, Rekha and Ethan Sharma)

http://www.hopeagaininternational.org

“Arise, shine. Your light has come and the glory of the Lord shines over you. Look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness over the people; but the Lord will SHINE over you and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your radiance. Raise your eyes and look around; they all gather to come to you; your songs will come from far away and your daughters will be carried on the hip. Then you will see and be RADIANT and your heart will tremble and rejoice because the riches of the sea will become yours, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.”

To our sweet family, you are missed dearly. We want you to know that you are in our hearts and thoughts daily. Our package from Mom and Dad Borthick arrived today! We are excited about opening that on Christmas day. Before leaving the states we enjoyed a Thanks-Christma-ster celebration with Momma and Daddy Mason and family. Thinking on our times together last year and the many years before, we are overwhelmed with thankfulness for you. Praying blessings over you, your health, and your hearts.

-J&H