I felt so much love over the Christmas Holidays! So many of YOU sent me well wishes, letters, emails, packages, skype dates, and heartfelt hugs. I was a little worried about Christmas, if truth be told. Worried that I might lose it at every carol sung or Merry Christmas I received because for the first time I wasn’t celebrating with my family. But it turns out a Baby in the manger wasn’t the only miracle for me this year. So, thank you thank you for all your efforts, prayers, e-hugs, and thoughts- they were greatly felt and tremendously enjoyed!
Christmas Eve was spent preparing for a dinner for some Pakistani friends at my house. After dinner we sang carols to the harmonium (accordion and key board combined) and then went to the midnight Christmas service. The church was PACKED and afterwards we welcomed in the big day with cups of chai and coffee under Christmas lights.
On Christmas Day, Jane and I made lunch for a Canadian family we know. We had a great time with them eating pumpkin pie and Christmas pudding (someone mailed it to Jane from the UK!). I skyped with some wonderful loved ones and got to see the snow storm that trapped my parents in their cabin in Colordao with my brother, his wife, and her family! The next day Jane and I headed to a Beach Hut near Karachi. We just read, ate, slept, and walked on the beach for three days- it was fantastic. AND we got to ride a camel! We finished off the trip with a few days in Karachi. I found an amazing grocery store complete with Honey Bunches of Oats, Campbell’s soup, and El Paso salsa. However, I had never seen an $8 box of cereal before- I also did not see it again as it did not make the journey back to Hyderabad with me! I really enjoyed getting to see Karachi and having a few “tastes from home” while I was there (like pancakes!).
Work started back up this week and I had my first day working with the Bishop of Hyderabad. It was a good start and I hope to learn a lot more about the Church of Pakistan and how Pakistani culture operates within it. To cap off my winter break, yesterday I got my nose pierced! 95% of all the girls I see and know have their nose done and I thought it’d make me a little more Pakistani 
I hope you each enjoyed celebrating the season and may this new year bring you much joy, many opportunities for growth, and more glimpses of God.
It sounds like you had an amazing Christmas season! Not many people can say they rode a camel on Christmas holiday! Imagine the stories you will have to tell to your children one day. Girl, you know your grandmother will have a heart attack over the new piercing! Gotta love it, that’s my Caroline ; dancing to the beat of her own drum!
I so love reading your blog. You are a gifted writer! It sounds like you are settling in and finding your place. Your work sounds amazing and your gifts and skills seem so suited for this. And the piercing should generate some great conversations from your friends and family! Know that prayer is offered for you weekly by me an those from BCOC. Take care and love to you