I have had the pleasure of hanging out and enjoying friends and lunches, chats, and laughs. The real highlight though comes in the form of this past weekend. Starting off the weekend was a baking fest on Thursday night to get ready for the Rockbridge Christmas Party at camp. It was an eclectic evening, we had a visitor that I assumed was a friend of Katie's but actually just got introduced to all of us that day, so that was a little awkward...haha. Friday I went to the Dr. and was given the first round of medicine for laryngitis and bronchitis- oh you know just the usual. I twisted my ankle in the dining hall at camp, but was still able to pull of excitement for the actual party.
The real treat came in the after party at Malone's. It was so classic and yet so out of the ordinary in the same exact moment, is that possible? I think it was the first time this year that we were all there and accounted for...which lends to its fascinating quality of goodness. While cocktails were involved, as was a lot of laughter and roughly 200 photos taken of the entire evening. Some moments funnier then others, but seriously? I laughed so hard I had a headache and that was even without the goodness of the beverages making their impression. The night was delightful and as I returned home with the girls we could only laugh and be oh so thankful.
Saturday continued this "Family Weekend" with a great day to myself in the house doing misc. tasks for Christmas and Thailand, and then at night I threw the Chili party. It was great to be able to hang out again at the house, light the wood stove, play Yahtzee, and just chill out. Sunday came too quickly and Mandy and I had an opportunity to hang out, which has been so infrequent over the past few months, it was a delight.
In the evening I felt like I was losing my mind because I couldn't find things that I had tucked away for the gift exchange, and felt well loved in Matt's arrival in taking over what dinner was going to be, and Tex burning CD's that I needed, and for the overall attitude of service...capping off the evening was a viewing of the Bourne Ultimatum...amazing.
Monday I had lunch with Mary in Roanoke and enjoyed a fancy dinner out with the girls in Lexington. We got all dressed up and hit the town and got the boys to take photos of us in 2 locations! Tuesday I continued to get myself organized for my trip, and then welcomed House Dinner's Family Christmas Extravaganza. The gift exchange was fantastic, and there were many thoughtful things given...tears and laughter and just general goodness. I was deeply touched by my friends in the gestures in each unwrapped moment.
Today Gracie got to go on her trip to Kentucky with Tex, and I cried. I felt like such an over emotional dork, but I couldn't help it. The tears started and just didn't end...I just love that dog. And honestly, its just hard to be with out her in all this travel. I went out to camp to drop off some things, and then headed up to my Dr. again to get different medicine. We're hoping I get a good nights rest tonight...
Tomorrow I head to Richmond at 5pm and will be dropped off there by Joel, Mandy, Theresa, and Matt. BC and I have a 6am flight to Atlanta which will reunite us with Mark, and then get us all together for our 2nd flight to Seoul which is something like 16 hours.
A lot of thoughts as I prepare to leave for four weeks. I am sad that I am missing Christmas with my family, but the joy I have in my heart from celebrating Christmas this past weekend with my precious friends here in Lexington, leaves little room for sadness. I am continuing to pray that the Lord prepares my heart for my time away and that I'm able to let go and be wrapped up in the experience and time of growth.
Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.
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