It's Tradition!
Some have asked what are some of the different things you experience being overseas, especially at Christmas. One thing I have been learning is how attached we can become to traditions. The things that make you feel at home. The little things like favourite Christmas treats like egg nog and candy canes to decorations, Christmas movies and reading of Christmas stories.
A very traditional Czech Christmas food is potato salad and carp. On the street corners you will see the fish mongers with their barrels teaming with large carp waiting to be weighed, bought and carried home in a bag or bucket, to be placed live in the bathtub until it is time to prepare it to be eaten. When asked if anyone really likes this bony fish, many will admit they don't; however, we eat it because: It is tradition! I participated in this tradition again this year, admittedly not the best tasting fish but buried in spices not too bad. Many thanks to the Pearce family who carries on this tradition every year.
Finding Family
Christmas is a holiday that often is equated with family. A time to gather together, share in laughs and enjoy one another's company. So what do you do when your family is kilometres if not oceans apart? Thanks to technology communicating overseas has become so much easier! So thankful for those who invented skype and decided to make it available for free! I got to watch my nephew open his Christmas gifts, see my parents, talk to my brothers and see my dog. 
Along with technology I also find it helpful to adopt a family. What I love about the international community is the necessity to become family. To be the silly Aunts and the adopted nieces for one another. This year the Parker family took in the orphans (those without family here) and we had Christmas brunch, read the Christmas story, lit the Jesus Candle, opened presents and played games. Though international life is a revolving door of people coming and leaving it is a blessing to meet so many different members that will be a part of the heavenly kingdom.
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| Telling the Christmas story |
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| Showing off new Christmas clothes |
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| Playing with the Jones sisters |
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| Made with love and the best mittens ever! |
Merry Christmas!
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