Silent Night

So, Christmas in Indonesia...VERY different from Christmas in Wisconsin.  For one thing there is a 90+ temperature difference.  We have a thermometer in our bedroom and it is registering 90 degrees right now-you can imagine what it is outside in the sun.  CRAZY!  Also, many of you will remember me talking in the past about pondok Natals.  The papuans build these elaborate huts and fill them with speakers and BLAST (no exaggeration) music from them at any hour of the day or night.  Also going on at all hours are fireworks-loud ones, and bamboo cannons.  Mix in there the Muslim call to prayer five times a day, and the airplanes that fly right over our head, and you don't get much of a "Silent Night."

However, on the flip side you get bright blue gorgeous skies everyday, vibrant greens all around you, palm trees and flowering bushes and trees, happy sunshine greeting you every morning, amazing waterfalls coming off the mountain, sandy beaches, seashells, starfish, and bushels of fresh fruit!

Pick one...haha.  Which would you pick if you could?  I hate being away from family, especially at the Holidays.  But I do love that we can run outside barefoot anytime we want.  And that we can jump in the car and head to the beach.  Oh, I SOOOOO missed the ocean when we were in Wisc.

The Middle Schoolers did a fantastic job at their band concert last night.  They rocked those Christmas songs.  The boys and girls soccer games were forfeited because the teams didn't show up.  That was frustrating.  Right now I have two dorm girls sick, and Garth.  I know!  Garth never gets sick!  Hopefully it is nothing that will last.  The kids are so antsy to get done and get home. Next week at this time it will be break.

Earlier I was talking about the noise of Christmas here.  It can get crazy loud, but I make sure I find time almost everyday for quiet.  I read a book once called "Give Me A Little Piece of Quiet."  That is what we need.  Every day to find those moments when we can listen, reflect, be thankful, refocus...If you look for them you will find that those moments are there.  Enjoy them.

Here are some pictures from the band concert, and a picture of a pondok Natal.