Wow Christmas is coming fast! This week felt long and short at the same time! John was working crazy hours with a manager that had to move quickly on sudden notice and with the increased business around the holidays.  We also had lots going on this week with the team member party, john’s brother david visiting, small group and much more! We did manage to squeeze in a date to the rodeo in raleigh! Quite interesting for my 1st rodeo experience! The second guy out of the gates had to be taken off in a stretcher and went to the hospital after getting kicked in the back of the neck! We saw lots of interesting people and enjoyed a different date! We went to a fun Christmas party yesterday then tonight is the My Chick-fil-A club members party at the store! Wednesday night is Reese’s Christmas program at school where she will be singing 3 songs on stage so i will definitely get video...should be interesting! Wednesday night is our small group Christmas party then thursday my parents come in to celebrate our christmas here with my sister and her husband this weekend.  This will be the first time John and I have hosted Christmas then next week we will do Christmas with just our small family!  I am excited about doing the holidays here and starting our own traditions!

But with the Whites we can never stay in one place long! We will head to Atlanta for Chick-fil-A meetings and the CFA bowl game and Christmas with John’s family before we head out to Brazil for 10 days following all the festivities! It will be a fun trip to take the kids and go “home” with John (he grew up there for 10 years as a missionary kid).  I love going to Brazil too!  Just pray for me for the 9 hour flight with 2 babies! Yikes! I need to brush back up on my portuguese before we go too.  i am so sad i have lost so much of it.  When we were there a few years ago and spend almost 2 months there, i was getting really good! Now i mix it up with attempts at spanish!

Well despite all the crazy schedules and going here and there, I really have been trying to intentionally slow down and find Jesus in all of it.  Usually i get so wrapped up in schedules and lists and all of that, that i just buy what’s on the list, trying to make sure i don’t overdraw the bank account, and rush all around.  This year thankfully has been so different and i am really enjoying Jesus and giving and snuggling up in the evenings watching the lights on the tree! I have been floored as i reflect on this year and all of the changes and blessings God has given me for no deserving reason.  he is truly an awesome Father and I don’t think i can give him one ounce of love back that would even compare to all he has given me.  Oh my goodness he is so good, but more than blessings and all of that, He is just  humbling me to a place where he is really letting me in on his heart for people, needs around me, and just surprising people with generosity.  I am loving finding him in those experiences!  ok this is getting to be a long post about lots of ramblings so i am going to attempt to shower for the day while everyone is asleep!