How was Christmas?

It's a sunny day in Šumperk!!! I'm going to head into town shortly to purchase a few New Years Eve decoration supplies. But first... a Christmas update!

Mirek, Daniel & I

Daniel and I had a very nice Christmas here; we spent the morning with our neighbor, Pavla; she had invited us to her place for cookies and tea. (I had just woken up when we took the pic, so excuse groggy morning self) - 

 

Pavla came with Daniel and I to Kostel Jinak's 10pm service that night as well. She was so surprised when Daniel never turned toward one of the Catholic churches; that's all she was familiar with. So it was even more surprising when he led her toward the Bata shoe shop, up the stairs, past a second hand shop, and into a room across from a travel agency. Everyone at Kostel was extra gracious with greeting Pavla and welcoming her; we had a handful of visitors that night, so there was excitement all around! Pavla was commenting how amazing it was to see so many young people at a church when the band got up to lead the music - that's when she saw our friend, Bea, playing the saxophone. Pavla's late husband played the saxophone; it's something she tells us about often (perhaps because it is an easy thing to communicate between language barriers, but there is so much love, joy and sentiment in these stories as well). When Pavla heard the saxophone, her night was made! As we walked home that night, Pavla was so excited to learn that our friends, Petr and Lucka, live in a building that she used to live or work in as well! Pavla seemed so pleased with the whole occasion and said she would be interested in joining us again.

Our Christmas Eve afternoon was spent with  Vašek, Lida, and Libor; we enjoyed a giant plate of sushi (over 100 pieces), shrimp, carp, potato salad, and tuna. We watched "Home Alone," opened gifts (I played the role of "baby Jesus" to pass out the gifts), and enjoyed each other's company.

All that sushi!!!!

Carp & Potato Salad

Photo Credit to Libor!

Photo credit to Libor! Christmas selfie!

Christmas Day, Daniel and I took the opportunity call our families and wish them all a very merry Christmas. We also went to Vašek and Lida's home again to watch a movie and eat leftover Christmas dessert.

Everyone is still on break, relaxing and enjoying these holiday weeks. We're gearing up for a New Years Eve event at Kostel Jinak this week as well. Daniel and I have been trying to get together with people while everyone is a little bit more free right now. And, I'm particularly excited to have a whole day with Daniel this weekend - we're planning on a 1 night trip to visit Prague this Friday/Saturday. 

Ways You Can Be Praying -

- pray for continued connection with Pavla, continued excitement from visiting Kostel Jinak, and that she might be interested in joining us again

- pray for visitors to attend New Years Eve with us at Kostel Jinak

- pray for good conversations as Daniel and I meet with people this week

- pray for safety in our travels to Prague

Extra pics:

We went out for pizza 12/23

We went to a hockey game!

I went walking, here are some of my pics -