salvation army love.

I love the Salvation Army.

I love going to visit my friends there.

Today I went to help wrap gifts and do anything I could to help. One of my assignments was to assist with a party, this has become something I'm getting good at...it's my 3rd party to help with in the last week or so there. This was a little different because the party was being thrown by the Rockets. Now I am not really a person who claims to know anything about the Rockets team, but I am a new fan of Luis Scola. I think so highly of him after observing how great he was with the kids today. The rest of the guys were handing out gifts, taking pictures, but Luis was very attentive. He was so connected to one of the little guys and would not put him down. He even stayed later than the other players to talk to the little guys mom and take pictures on his cell phone. Here's just one photo that was snapped when he was hanging out. When he left little Mauricio cried...it was so sweet.

It was a great time with lots of excitement for some of my sweetest friends from this year.

Christmas, Christmas time is here...

Time for joy and time for cheer :)

Speaking of cheer, my roommates bring so much cheer to my heart. I arrived home from school today with a heart warming "YOU DID IT" poster on my back door. That's right I've made it 1/2 way through my fifth year of teaching at Yellowstone. Sometimes I wonder how this is possible. Then they had a beautiful flower arrangement for me on the table with this adorable little poem...

Congratulations on a semester well done!
Now it's time to have some fun!

First things first, take a nap: sit back, relax, get off your feet;
next, pick your favorite place to eat.

Wine, dine, do it all,
we'll get ready to party by making cake balls.

Lesson plans, crazy kids, lack of sleep...all clear;
get excited for rest, good food, and cheer!!

We love you, Sarah and Megan

I love my roommates. I love the opportunity to spend my days with some of the coolest kids in the whole world. I love being on Christmas break! It's only been one hour and I love it :)

the most wonderful time of the year!

Snow in Houston!
* it was so beautiful and i apologize that i have no evidence of the beauty because my camera no longer functions and that makes me sad, but you will have to believe me. it. snowed. all. day. super fun...although would have been more fun without a classroom full of craziness, but twister and a little Christmas music made it bearable.

Christmas markets!
* i loved walking around 2 of houston's fun neighborhoods this weekend to experience how gifted so many people are. loved seeing art, jewelery, crafts, it was fun. everyone had smiles, joy, and some great music...or okay music that just set the tone of the season.

Christmas programs!
* i seriously love the production our church does every year of the african telling of the birth of CHRIST. it's so much fun to watch. it was especially fun to see some good friends, their kids, and some students of our school starring in this years production.

Discovery Green!
*i am not a fair weather fan. i love discovery green. it was so much fun to watch the ice skating on friday night, when the temperture was actually cold and seemed appropriate to be skating outside. i love the lights and the atmosphere. i love houston's parks.

Advent!
*hope*peace*joy*love*CHRIST
last year we started a really sweet time of devotion and preparation to really embrace the season leading up to Christmas day at our house. although we are divided by the equator this year, the tradition continues. thanks skype. we have so far been discovering WHO to put our hope in and in putting our hope in HIM gives a certain peace that is incomprehensible. it creates an atmosphere where there are lions and lambs being still and loving one another. this is contrary to what we see in this world, but not in HIS kingdom...it really is deep rooted in my heart. this is the kind of peace that can still the hearts of children in the face of poverty and adversity. it's the kind of peace that makes us understand hope. i love advent!