So, where's the Christmas rush?. . .There have been many years when I have wished that Christmas was not so hectic. We work at getting the tree up, the cards out, the groceries in and the baking done. We fight the traffic, hunt for parking spots and stand in lines at the post office and check-outs. Be careful what you wish for! This Christmas, in India, has been different. There is no tree to put up (or take down - yea!), someone else mailed my cards for me, dinner was catered by the local vegetarian/non-vegetarian restaurant that features Indian cuisine and goodies were bought not baked. Am I shedding crocodile tears? No way. (I do admit I miss baking those 24 loaves of zucchini and pumpkin bread.)
e There are 129 official holidays in India throughout the year and another 17 are called "optional". We have seen occasional signs of Christmas, minus the snow, of course. Here, people do get "wrapped up" in the Spirit of Christmas even though most are not Christians. They like the idea of getting together with family and friends, partaking of a big meal and exchanging gifts. Children write letters to Santa and hope that their stockings will be filled with presents and candies. There are festive people who put up a tree or decorate with candles and lights just because 'tis the season'. And many wish us a "Happy Christmas". The kids are even out of school for 10 days. Who knew?
e Our children and grandchildren have all found a way to celebrate in our absence. Sarah will be taking the kids to Naples, Fla., to "Aunt Sydne's house". Wouldn't mom and dad be pleased to know that the great-grandchildren are heading to the beach and swimming in the pool. Jeremy is in Iraq and misses all of them. Jason just moved into a new home in Las Vegas. Even though the boxes are not unpacked, the tree is up. And they actually had snow last week. Lauren is probably still soaking her feet and packing away her tiara after those strenuous Nutcracker performances as the Sugar Plum Fairy. And Kansas City got a little snow on Christmas eve!
We miss everyone, but are enjoying where we are for now. No matter where you are. . .
We wish you a Merry Christmas! e e e e e
We went on a search, looking for signs of Christmas...
This Santa looks a little strange because he has a plastic face.
This Santa is "in training".We took him with us when we went caroling, but he fell asleep.
(Who is that guy in the Old Navy t-shirt?)
We found green trees...
We found white trees...
We found a star...
and we found the Baby Jesus.(Nativity - Visakhapatnam 1st Branch)
What we did on Christmas Day
Missionaries who serve in Visakhapatnam.First, we had a traditional Indian meal but then topped it off with brownies and ice cream!
Then we traveled north 24 km to Bheemunipatnam where the Visak 2nd Branch was having an activity of games, lunch and a program of skits, carols and a Nativity by the children. 
Nearby were these huts. So, all of the villagers came out to watch the activities. One of the village women had a baby, which she gladly "loaned" to us for the Baby Jesus.
We headed back to Visak before the sun went down, via auto, on Beach Road. We stopped to take a picture of the River Gosthani where it meets the Bay of Bengal.
Beach Road and the Bay of Bengal from Bheemunipatnam to Visakhapatnam.
Come back and see us next year! We'll be here!
2 comments:
that is the first pic of you guys in a bit. you look great!!! carol--you look like you have lost a lot of weight. and kent---well you look completely different!! sounds like christmas was great. the pictures are awesome. i didn't do any of the "normal" christmas stuff either...ie..baking (we didn't have a kitchen for 10 days) christmas cards--i wasn't even going to attempt that, or crazy late night shopping. i got most of it done early---and just packed. it was nice. anyway-- i love your pictures and stories
Carol and Kent:
Thanks for the great blog. It is so much fun to see what you're doing with your lives!! It was also nice of the family to still send out Christmas cards. All is well here with lots of snow and cold (see, you would be standing in the freezing weather if you were at Temple Square) and although the holiday was nice, it's also nice to move on. Take care--we think of you often. Love, linda and bob tippets
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