Even though Dima and I were down with the flu on the Sunday our church hosted a Christmas celebration, our kids and the church had a special time. Danya played the role of Joseph in the church nativity, Fedya was one of the Magi, and Liza accompanied the children on the piano. While we couldn’t be there to see it ourselves, we’re grateful that they could take part in sharing the story of Jesus’ birth.
Once we recovered, we were able to celebrate Christmas as a family and spend time with friends. The holiday season is when we miss home the most, but it’s also a time when we see how God gives us a wider family to belong to. We are so grateful for the warmth and care we’ve received.