Belizean Adventures: Christmas in Belize

Wednesday we went downtown for a bit in the afternoon. It was crazy busy with all the Christmas hype. I also did some baking to make some plates of baking to hand out to some people in our church. In the evening we got invited to a Christmas Program/Service in Spanish Lookout. After they had food and fireworks. In the afternoon Cory and I started a rematch game of Monopoly. The last Sunday when Cory's friend Edmond was over we played a game, which I won. So now it was time for a rematch. I enjoyed playing with Cory and we had a good match.
In preperation for Christmas many changes take place in the homes of people around here. Christmas is the time to get new curtains, put in new flooring, and paint the house (inside and out). Whatever people can afford is what gets done. Even things such as park benches get a fresh coat of paint. There also seems to be a lot more grass being chopped. Some of the grass probably hasn't even been cut from last year! Another thing that is big around here at Christmas time is the fire crackers. Come the beginging of December you can hear them going off throughout the day. The closer to Christmas the more you hear them. Even now after Christmas you still hear them going off. I guess there is still New Year's to celebrate!

I think it goes without saying that Christmas is different here than back home. Not only is there no snow, but there are different Christmas traditions and ways of doing things. Even though I missed home and at different times throughout the day I could guess what my family was doing, it was still a great experience and something I will probably never forget. Being gone over Christmas has showed me that I don't have to be so stuck in the traditions and that things always have to be done a certain way. But that I can branch out and make new traditions and meld them with the old ones. Change was bound to come with getting older and branching out on my own.

In the morning of Christmas Eve, we went out and delivered some plates of baking and ran a couple errands downtown. There was a lot of traffic and people out and about. This was the first time I have ever really gone out on Christmas Eve, usually it is just to the grandparents. Although in the afternoon I did get to skype the gathering, although the connection wasn't the greatest. In the evening a bunch of friends came over to play games and for a time of fellowship. At Midnight the fireworks started going off. There were some just up the hill from us and we could also see the ones happening downtown. Another first for me, fireworks on Christmas Eve, and being able to stand outside in shorts and a t-shirt to watch them :)

Well, with the help of Technology Santa could still find me :) One of my Christmas presents came through email :) I was also able to join my family as they opened their presents :) Otherwise we had a pretty quiet day around here. We were supposed to have to families over in the afternoon and into the evening, but due to family reasons one family was unable to make it and the other only came at supper time. I was reminded again as to how blessed I am to have the family I do, especially a dad that has played an active role in my life and been an example to me. I love you Dad!!

Boxing day we all felt like doing nothing, and that's what we decided to that day. Well, until we got invited out for lunch, which was a nice little outing. Also Auntie Iso and her kids came over later on in the afternoon and spent the night with us. (She has adopted 2 of Margaret's former foster kids) Otherwise we just hung out and watched movies :)
Sunday morning we went to church. Ms Mirna, and her kids Edmond and Zeriah (Ms Mirna is a friend from church) came over and joined in our continuing of celebrating Christmas, with us and Auntie Iso. They all spent the day and the night here. It made for a full house but we also had a great time together. I enjoyed hearing bits of these women's stories throughout out time spent together.
After reading through this it was truly a great Christmas. An experience I am truly great-full for. God is a great God and I love seeing how he works different things out. Today I found out that I am invited to spend a couple of days in Blue Creek. I am looking forward to the experience and the adventure that comes with it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Belize!!!