Christmas dinner with my parents was nice. We had roasted herb chicken, asparagus, cranberry sauce, lima beans, and more. :o) And later that day, we got to go over and see my cousins!

One of my cousins had his dogs with him. It was pretty funny, because I was petting one of the dogs and all of a sudden, it just climbed up on my lap! And this was no small dog, let me tell you! :o)

I drove back on Tuesday ... 11 hours! I enjoy roadtrips, though! I was especially excited becuase I was able to find a route where I didn't have to take 635. Yay! [I have no problems with 635 on a Saturday morning, but on a weekday the traffic can be pretty heavy ... especially if you're not used to big-city driving. ;c)] And it took me through some pretty countryside, too, so that was nice!

I even made it back in time for Tuesday night prayer. It was so good to see everyone again! I am so grateful for both my wonderful family back home (and my sister and her family a few hours away in Texas!) and the wonderful extended family the Lord has blessed me with here. :o) It's been really nice to be back in the office, too.

Yesterday I found out I would be working for a while in our gift entry department, along with another writer! [They always seem to be busy, and have been especially busy with it being the end of the year ... their busiest time, I think!] It's a privilege getting to help out in this department, and there are always so many neat things to do in there. I couldn't believe how quickly this day went by!

It's exciting, too, to get a glimpse into the hearts of our sponsors and donors - we've been blessed with so many great people whose hearts the Lord has touched to give to and pray for our ministry.