Christmas in Belgium

Merry Christmas! Although this post is a bit late, I pray you had a wonderful day of celebrating Christ's birth, and I wish you the best year yet in 2006!

I spent Christmas eve and day with my dear friends, Glen & Dana Johnsen...and their puppy, Sam. We had a very low key holiday as Dana is 7 months pregnant with twin boys! We cooked, ate, watched movies, visited with other CTS friends on Christmas eve, and had loads of fun....especially playing with Sam. (He got lots of fun toys!)

Although I wasn't with my family in Arkansas, I was thrilled to be with these friends. Serving as a missionary does not always allow you the privilege of going "home for the holidays." I work with Glen & Dana at CTS - Glen is our music director and Dana has served in the Academic Office (although now she's focusing on getting to the 34th week of her pregnancy...their first - I know they would appreciate your prayers!). We've been friends since meeting in 1999 when they arrived at CTS, and I thank God for them.

Today we leave for London for a couple days of holiday. Found cheap tickets by train, staying at a missionary house, and our one great extravagance will be seeing a show on the West End. This will be a slow, relaxing vacation...hitting some of the sales that start in Europe after Christmas, and getting a way for a few days.

Thanks again for your prayers and love...so many of you sent cards and greetings and I so appreciate you thinking of me. You are in my thoughts and prayers as well!

Love, Shannon