Let me preface this by telling you that my family sent me some Christmas presents and when I opened them I cried (and I mean hard). I was so sad to be missing Christmas at home and figured misery was my doom (okay, that's a little dramatic, I know...;).
A dear friend from church graciously extended an invitation to spend Christmas in Seoul with her, her cousin (and family), and another friend of ours. My two friends are from the Philippines and told me I could be apart of their Filipino Christmas!
I want to tell you every little detail, but I know you probably have better things to do than read 20 pages of my Christmas. So here are some highlights:
Our Christmas Eve dinner party composed of my two friends, friend's cousin, her husband, her two kids and me. We played games (provided by each adult) and had prizes and sang the 12 days of Christmas and Jingle Bells (only the first two verses and the chorus--that song is SO long). We had a fantastic Filipino dinner (SO YUMMY!) and went to a friend of the family's to have a Christmas Eve Bible study and MORE eating and talking ^^ We spent the night at the friend's house--it was lovely.
In the morning, we went to the Christmas service. I (and three other) were first timers at the church and HAD TO GET UP IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CHURCH TO SAY A FEW WORDS. I didn't really know what to say and the others were speaking in Tagalog so I didn't have any type of reference of what should be said. That was awesome. Then everyone came around to shake our hands. The church was SO FRIENDLY. It was great. AND THEN we ate again :D
In the afternoon there was a bowling tournament between a few Filipino churches. I am not a bowler and decided to sit this one out. Well...from about 3-630p I was bowling. Girls against girls--we played against the Seoul team. They were quite good. The first set I got 99 (not bad for a person who is not a bowler). The SECOND GAME I got a 46. Siiiiigh. It was lots of fun though^^
My two friends and I started back home at about 9p...got to bed a little past 1a. I can't explain (maybe I can, but that would take 20 pages) how wonderful a day it was. I was just expected to cry a lot (I only cried a little) and the day turned out to be so great. I met so many people and they were all so sweet. I've made some new friends and all in all it was a awesome weekend. My God will never leave me or forsake me (even on Christmas when my family is far away).
Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
we are really thankful jessica for spending Christmas with us. we had an awesome time with you! i am really happy to know such a genuine and down-to-earth person like you. if you can only know how encouraged i am with your life and attitudes towards life. i know that God has great plans for you, you may wait for long but im sure it will be the best. i hope when we depart ways in the future, we would still have the chance to reconnect in the future.. huhu enough of ths dramatic comment. i dont want tomake a novel..
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