December was a busy month. We wrapped up our speaking engagements and our school semester. We celebrated Christmas with family and then packed all of our belongings and returned to Guatemala. For a month already known for it's hustle and bustle, we were running wide open.
We began the month by participating in a weekend long missions conference at FBC Jackson, MS. It kicked off their Lottie Moon giving emphasis. It was fantastic! We shared numerous times over the three day event and met so many wonderful people. We left feeling very blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful event! If you would like to read about it click on this link- Lottie Moon World Mission Weekend.
The following Monday night we attended the Christmas parade in Brookhaven. It was a cold night, but we loved the parade.
Later that week, we had supper with a dear sweet prayer supporter of ours. We have known Ms. Martha for many years, and she is such a great encourager to us. She cooked a huge spread of food, and it was all delicious!
The following day we had lunch with Chad McCord. He is a former IMB missionary and is currently serving as the Missions Mobilization Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention. I am glad our paths crossed during our time in the States.
My dad's family has a reunion twice each year. They meet in July and again in December. I was able to make both reunions while we were home. It is sweet to gather with family and now that my dad is gone, I especially like to be present to represent him. Here I am with some of my cousins.
In mid- December David preached at our home church, Harmony Baptist in Crystal Springs, MS.
The church praying over us after the service. It was a special time with our church family!
After the service we had a covered dish lunch and Christmas party with our Sunday school class. We played the dirty Santa game and had a really fun time. Afterwards, the boys went home with friends for the afternoon, and we went to visit with family.
loving on sweet baby Lake
He is the first grandchild of David's sister.
We went to Sonic for supper and ate in the car. We then drove through the Chautauqua Park Christmas lights.
The boys had their Sunday school party that evening. They had a blast!
youth Christmas party at Harmony Baptist
The following Wednesday night I got to share with the ladies' group at our home church. I had attended each Wednesday night while we were home so it was special to close out by sharing with them. We made it a Christmas party and everyone brought finger foods to share. It was fun and an overall wonderful way to close out my season of sharing.
The Wednesday night ladies' group at Harmony Baptist.
Cruz with some of his best buds the following Sunday morning at church. I am so thankful for the close friendships he has there! These boys are more like brothers than friends.
After lunch several of us gathered for an afternoon of Christmas caroling. It is something we have not done in many years. The boys had never been, and they really loved it. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the people we visited just warmed our hearts.
getting ready to go caroling with our home church
The following week we had supper with the Johnsons. Nickey and Jackie were in our youth ministry many years ago.
the kiddos
Their pastor and his family stopped by to see us later that evening. We had a house full.
Ms. Martha had given the boys gift cards to Dairy Queen for Christmas. We ate supper there one evening.
They couldn't resist turning them upside down.
They even dared me to hold it over my head. I think they were secretly hoping it would fall.
After supper, we headed out to look at Christmas lights.
We celebrated Christmas with family. We were with David's family on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas Day. You can read about that here- Christmas 2025.
Some of our new ornaments for 2025. The top left corner is our traditional family ornament. The right corner is a Crystal Springs ornament given to me by my friend Malinda. That is David's hometown. She also gave me a similar one from Hazlehurst, which is my hometown. Don't you just love the bottom left corner!!! Cruz saw this pancake ornament at Cracker Barrel and insisted we get it. Pancakes are a big part of our family. The bottom right corner is an ornament that was given out to everyone at the missions conference at FBC Jackson.
These are the boy's personal ornaments. Cruz chose the workout ornament. The gym they went to while in the States was called Sweat Fitness so this was the perfect ornament for him. Ben's ornament was a gaming control, which perfectly describes his life these days.
And then, like all good things, our time in the States came to an end. We left the U.S. on December 28 flying back to Guatemala to begin our sixth term of service with the IMB. We were sad to leave but a little eager to get back to the life we are called to live. It is always bitter sweet to leave one home for the the other. You can read about our travel day here- Returning to Guatemala.
So now we are almost through the month of January. How can that be? I'll be posting that update soon.
Happy New Year everyone!!!
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