Miller Impressions: A New Year has arrived…

…and here I am, still blogging about the life and times of 2011!

Bear with me as I catch our activities up to speed!

Having arrived in Honduras 6 short months ago, June of 2011, we chose to stay here this holiday season. Christmas - a time to be with family is not just an American tradition, but also an integral part of Honduran culture.

Maybe it is because Jesus came as a baby to usher us into the beauty and depth of relationship, that being with those we love is so important at this time of the year. No matter how many Christmases we are away from family – my heart always longs to be together. But in the absence of that togetherness this year, we were surrounded by our church family and neighborhood friends who welcomed us into their celebrations with love and generosity.

In effort bless those who have welcomed us so warmly, as well as to avoid some of the loneliness that comes from being far from family, we decided it would be fun to invite our church family to our home for a Christmas Open House.

Although ‘Open Houses’ aren’t typical here, it was certainly well received; so well received in fact that we found the church bus and various cars spilling 60+ people onto our awaiting doorstep on the appointed night (astounding to me since we only announced it 24 hours prior!).

There were people inside, outside and every spare corner! It was fabulously fun with Christmas music, a bonfire to roast hotdogs and marshmallows and lots of games and laughter.

I had hoped to prepare lots of our traditional American Holiday snacks, but what was I to do without, chocolate to dip my pretzels, make peppermint patties, dunk Buckeyes or most anything in, Rice- Krispies for Rice Krispie squares, dates for date balls, cheeses for cheese balls?!?

We opted instead for Carmel Corn, Lemon Squares, Sugar Cookies, Cucumber slices with cilantro and lemon, Ritz crackers with cream cheese spread, grapes and the rage of the night…Hot Chocolate! I couldn’t make enough!