Sojourner Stories: home for the holidays [because I live at home of course].

Christmas break was lots of fun! I got to be with my family for Christmas. My sister, Katelyn, came home! She lives far away in west Texas so it was way over-due to get to spend some time with her. We celebrated Christmas with my brother, Grant, sister-in-law Shelley, and my 2 nephews on the 21st. Momma cooked the good ol' dinner complete with a ham. On Christmas Eve, my family and I went to the Christmas Eve service at First Baptist and on Christmas morning we opened presents at home. The older I get the less I care about the gifts and the more I am thankful for the time with my family and closest friends. I worshiped the Lord early Christmas morning and just thanked Him for allowing us to be able to celebrate together. The day after Christmas, mom, dad, Katelyn, and I went arrowhead hunting on one of my dad's customers' property. I went thinking that it was highly unlikely that we would ACTUALLY find arrowheads. Boy, was I dead wrong. All four of us found MULTIPLE arrowheads! It was crazy cool.

My best friend, Eleni, since 4th grade got married on December 28th. It was bittersweet. I have had many friends get married this past year, but nothing compares to your best friend since 4th grade. It was SO weird and awesome at the same time. She decided to save money and not get a caterer---which means lots of work if you are a bridesmaid. Haha. I am not complaining. It was so fun for all of us to work together. On the day of her wedding, all the bridesmaids and groomsmen worked to set up the reception. We worked for a solid three hours. Nonstop. Not one person complained nor argued. Maria (Eleni's sister--who made Eleni's WEDDING CAKE!!!) and I were talking on the drive back to the hotel after the wedding about the whole event. We both agreed that it was tons of fun even though it was hard work. We also both agreed that the only way, in the entire universe, that one is able to walk away from throwing a whole wedding and working with 20 other people to set it up (and tear it down) is if one is filled with the Holy Spirit. And that right there is Gospel. Period. Eleni and her new husband, Colin, have some pretty amazing friends. I am just saying---because they do! They are also pretty amazing themselves. Congratulations, Mrs. Eleni Sallinger!

My other best friend, Stephen:), was in for 3 weeks. He and I got to spend more time together this break than we have in a very long time. We spent New Year's together at one of our friends' lake house. We watched the LSU bowl game---they lost to Clemson. Sad, sad day. And shot fireworks. I felt like such a kid again! I, the grandmother that I am, even stayed up until MIDNIGHT. It was well worth it. :) We also watched the new Batman movie together on Christmas day. I was so confused throughout the entire movie, but still thought it was legit. He left this past Tuesday to finish his last semester at LSU. So excited for him getting ready to graduate and start his new big-boy job (and I do mean BIG-BOY)!!!

Hannah is another precious friend of mine that came home for break. She is about to start her last semester at Baylor. This girl is such an encouragement to me. We like to go on prayer runs together. What is a prayer run you may ask? Welp. We run and pray out loud to our Savior! It is incredible. Today we went on our last run because she leaves in the morning to head back to Waco for the spring. I am going to miss her, but so thankful for the past few weeks that we have had together.

My Christmas break was perfect. I got to spend it with precious family and precious friends.