I am sitting at my computer looking out on a grey and dreary day here in Moldova.  The snow has melted and left a damp cold in its place.  Spring is no where to be found...it is just now February 2nd.  I don't think there are ground hogs predicting the seasons here in Moldova.  That does not sound like something a former soviet republic would do.  It would be easy to fall prey to the greys...the sunless days....but, my hope does not lie in the sun...or the warmth....but in THE SON.  So, even though outside may be dreary and cold...I have hope.  I know spring will come budding with expectation and possibilities and new life.  And honestly, even the cold parts of the winter have been filled with overwhelming joy.  So much joy that I have not had a chance to write about it since November.

Life has been a whirlwind of excitement.  And while we are both a little tired, we are filled to the brim with all the amazing things God has shown us.  During the months of December and January, we celebrated Christmas with our friends here in Moldova in many different ways.  Christmas Day was beautiful.  Our friend from England's family was here visiting and they started our day off with a full English breakfast, we then spent the rest of the day baking hundreds of baked goods for our Christmas Day celebration.  And OH was it a celebration!!!  There were dramas that made me laugh so hard, there was delicious food and there was family.  It wasn't the family that either of us was born into...but it was the family that God has chosen for us here...and people, that is good!

 When January arrived, so did guests and our container from America (which held all the gifts for different orphanages, and for our girls and guys-there was a LOT of excitement surrounding it).  We celebrated Christmas again with our girls and guys on January 9th.  It was amazing!!!  They had so much fun.  After a few years of being on the other side of the Christmas gift process (helping in the U.S.), it was our very first time to see them open their gifts.  Yes, people, I cried.  But, I think I played it pretty cool.  It was the best Christmas present I think I could have ever received.  I really think our hearts were exploding with emotion.  It was amazing.  There will never ever be words for me to describe most of the things I experience here , both good and bad.  But, God is always in the middle of it...magnifying it....and using it all for His glory!

After our exciting Christmas here, we then proceeded to go visit several other "orphanages".  Our girls and guys truly shared the love of Christ and the joy that is Christmas with children who are growing up very similarly to the way they grew up.  They prepared dramas and music and just shared so much joy.  It was beautiful to see.  Our girls and guys loved every single minute of it.  The most touching moment for all of us was when our dear Ulizana returned to the hospital where she had grown up.  You can read more about it here.  Ulizana is one of the most amazing young women I know.  She loves Jesus so much and she loves serving Him.  Her life in the hospital was very difficult...but she desired to go back to visit the place and bring the love of Jesus with her.  It was a blessing to watch her through this process.  She found out the number of the hospital and contacted the director and petitioned for a visit.  She then asked us every single day if we could go visit and if we had enough gifts to take to the children there.  Of course, we did!  Watching her walk through the doors with her held high, confident in who she is in Christ was so moving.  It took my breath away.  It was just as beautiful to watch her speak with her former "care" givers with kindness, grace,  and love.  This girl is already doing mighty things for the kingdom of God.

These are just a few of the highlights of our December and January, in the midst of all the really big amazing moments....there were plenty of amazing behind the scenes, quiter moments.  Moments where God confirmed our calling here...moments that were spent praying with our friends and family here, doing homework with the guys, laughing at Christmas movies, wearing silly Christmas sweaters, and just resting in His arms.  Yes, it is grey outside today...but my heart is warm with the memories of my first Christmas away from home...a Christmas that I thought would be sad ...but that God filled to the brim with joy and love and reminded me what praising Him everyday really looks like.