Friday is to be the shortest day of the year...and you thought your days were short. We aren't even to the halfway point yet, and the sun set today at 3:55. Funny how even with the sun not showing as long, my days seem even longer. It was easy to say "I can handle it" when I was at home in sunny Southern California, but sitting in the dark all these hours is harder than I figured! Since I can't figure out when nights are actually supposed to begin, I have been staying up much later than normal, chatting with friends around the fire. Somehow its theraputic, I'm sure. I am tired, and looking forward to the Christmas holidays.
The Christmas season is so different over here. The mayor of Moscow ordered that all businesses decorate for Christmas, so there are more decorations than in years past, but it doesn't seem as spirited as the States. I've been to three Christmas parties already, with three more this weekend; the Russians can't figure out why we celebrate all month long! The orthodox Christmas falls on January 7th, and since New Year's is before that, New Year's is the big holiday around here. I ask my students what day is Christmas, and they say December 31st, because that is when Santa brings them presents...Overall, it throws a person "off" --especially during my first season in ages with no final exams to cram for and colder weather than Southern California has ever seen. Nonetheless, my American friends have garunteed to make me feel at home, even when home is so far away.
This past weekend was a relaxing break for us. Thursday was a holiday, so we had a four day weekend. I spent the days out at Rosinka, sitting around the fire with hot cocoa and coffee and chatting. Derrick had a Christmas party on Friday night and Russians and Americans from church gathered for a white elephant gift exchange, a game of Mafia (ha, ha) (Only one Russian turned out to be Mafia!!) and holiday sweets. It was a lot of fun, and a great way to kick of the holidays.
On Sunday, we met at homes because it was a working day and we couldn't use the schools. Dureing the second week of advent, we talked about preparation, and how God prepared for Christ's arrival hundreds of years before he actually came. As we shared stories of God preparing us for events in our lives, I realized how so many of the lessons we learn depend on our perspective. It is so easy to look at the day to day and week to week and feel like nothing is changing, as I do in my job. I feel as though I am making no difference in anyone's life, even my own. I am sure that is how many people felt as they were crushed and ruined in preparation for Christ's arrival. But in the big picture, everything worked out perfectly. And I need to remember the BIG picture here. That is something I was supposed to learn during my mission trip to Bolivia in high school. I was reminded this week that while being here for four months I probably won't see a huge difference, but that ultimately the students are learning. And the teachers we work with are too, which is fun to see. The other day one randomly asked where I went to church and what it was like -- one I had NEVER talked to before. So something is happening, even if I refuse to see it.
Merry Christmas to you all. I am breaking records by sending you all my Christmas card this year. (this is IT!)
I will be spending the holiday out at Rosinka with Micah and Derrick and other friends. Lydia and Micah are staying here for the entire break, while some others are headed home, so I will have someone to relax with. I hope to catch up with more of you while you have some time over the holidays.
May your days be merry and "brighter" than mine!
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