A Christmas to remember

In some ways this Christmas was expected to be different. After all, Justin and I are now married. We knew this would be the first year that we would be spending Christmas morning with each other rather than with our individual families. And in a way, that is so sad. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed our newlywed Christmas morning. But there is still the child part of you that misses the traditional Christmas morning of being with your family. Thankfully, we did get to spend time with both of our families on Christmas day.

We first did our own gift exchange at home... we were lame this year and knew all of the gifts we had gotten for each other. We didn't even wrap them--- NOT something I intend to repeat. There is something so unexplainably fun about unwrapping gifts! :)  

We then headed over to Aftan and Eric's. We enjoyed a nice time and delicious brunch with them and Justin's parents.

This Christmas was different for the Hunt side as well, as it was the first Christmas spent at home without Justin's sister, Kate. As others have said, knowing the beauty of the Christmas season with the lights, the colors, the singing, etc... we can only imagine how indescribably spectacular the Christmas celebration in heaven must be. We thank the Lord for the gift of knowing where our saved loved ones are and for the promise that we will see them again someday. The Lord, by His grace, has continued to sustain this family through the holiday season. We are so grateful. 

The Eck side's house fire resulted in some unexpected changes to Christmas. My sisters family is no longer in the same home as my parents, but has been moved into a very nice rental home in Glenmoore. My parents and 3 brothers just moved in to their temporary home the Wednesday before Christmas.  It is a beautiful home that God so graciously has made available for them to rent until their own home can be restored.  Obviously there was not time to even consider putting up a tree. Some of you may know that Christmas is my mother's favorite holiday. She has more Christmas decorations than humanly necessary... but it's because she loves it. For whatever reason, the restoration group that has been salvaging the items that were smoke damaged at the house, dropped off a box full of some of my mother's Christmas decorations. So while they did not have a tree this year, they did have the dickens Christmas carolers, a giant snowman, and a nativity scene. All of that doesn't matter though. Every year we celebrate Christmas for what it truly is, the anniversary of our Savior's birth. But this year we seemed to value that truth even more and appreciated the gift of just being together. 

As part of our Christmas traditions, we have the Christian Santa, aka. Dad :) come to my parent's house much to my neices and nephew's surprise. He has them recite some Bible verses and sing Jesus Loves Me, etc.  Thankfully that did not need to change for them this year. The restoration company had gotten the infamous santa suit cleaned and back to my dad in time for his debut on Christmas. And it was so worth it to see the kid's smiles beaming ear to ear. 

The love and support that came from so many friends and family both near and far also served as an overwhelming gift this holiday season. There are no words to thank everyone for their unbelievable generosity. THANK YOU!  

Merry Christmas


For to us a child is born

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6