Courtesy of Allison....a little Christmas fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper to open but gift bags to give out....selfish i know, but i still like to tear open the paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? real but we don't have one this year cause aaron will be home all of five days

3. When do you put up the tree? couple days after thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? whenever my laziness subsides and i'm ready to vaccuum needles up for days

5. Do you like egg nog? eewwwww...sick. i rather get the 2000 calories from lots of good food instead of one glass of nastiness

6. Favorite gift received as a child? hmmm, probably a lolly at some point :-)

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yup...a sweet willow tree one from the in-laws

8. Hardest person to buy for? the man that wants nothing...my husband

9. Easiest person to buy for? myself...since i apparently do more of that while i'm supposed to be shopping for everyon else. or jen.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? don't e-mail christmas cards...thats awful

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? something from an attic of someone i know...some of you will have a sweet memory of that! :-)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "Herbie doesn't like to make toys!"

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? whenever i see something i think they'll like...could be july for all i know

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? mom's christmas cookies out of those tubs she "hides" behind the dining room table :-)

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear...no contest

17. Favorite Christmas song? mariah carey...jen, i'm doing the dance in my head!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? we always travel...and this year we're going tropical!!!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? donner, blitzen, comet, cupid, dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, rudolph...is that too many?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? i would rather an angel but they're always so freaky looking that i go with a star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? christmas morning... stockings first right jen?!?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? dumb drivers out all over the place shopping

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? there's no need for a theme when you have the kermit ornament

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? good ole italian 7 course meals...salad, sauce and meatballs, many kinds of meat, lots of dessert, etc...

second hand african greetings!

just thought i'd pass on some news from africa for all of you. i've been fortunate enough to get two e-mails and a quick phone call!!! things there are good...he said the group of guys is really solid and they are hanging in there with any tough conditions. the african leaders they are working with are apparently amazing...soaking it all up and really bold in an oppresively muslim territory. he said those leaders have been so amazing to work beside and such an encouragement. really reminding him of how blessed we are here in our freedoms, no matter how "bad off" we think our country is spiritually.

not so much success in the soccer department though...two losses. but that's not really why they're there so its good to have that in perspective. he hasn't mentioned his face/head much...which is not surprising at all. but no news is good news in that department i guess.

they are up in the north now which seems to be a different environment the jos was. definately more spiritual heaviness so you can pray for walls to be broken down while they are there as well as safety bringing an unwelcome message.

on the homefront, i've been well taken care of! my parents were here for almost the whole first week and now jillian flew down from DC to be here this weekend. i've been so busy and have had lots of company. it's been a great distraction....not that i'm not ready to have him home...but it sure helps. all us girls are getting together and keeping each other company so we're hanging in!