There is no place like home for the Holidays. After spending a very hot Christmas in Zambia last year it was enjoyable to spend the holidays stateside. The best part of all was being with family. Arriving in the states just before Thanksgiving we spent the first 14 days with limited contact. This gave us the opportunity to be with just our family and to relax. What a better place to social distance than the Outer Banks. We were blessed to be joined by Maggie’s sister and husband as well as two of her boys and their wives.
Long walks on the beach were a great time to talk one on one with each of our “kids”. Jet lag added the blessing of being up early in the morning to see the sunrise almost every day (not something I-Mark- usually see on vacation). We were blessed with good weather and a great times with family.
Enjoying meals together or playing games around the table was time well spent. Thanks to Uncle Mike for bringing some crazy wooden puzzles, that even drew in those who generally don’t “do puzzles”. For many they were immersed for hours on end. Sunny and warm days afforded roller blading and long boarding, tennis, and lots of spike ball on the beach. This was a much needed time of relaxation and reconnecting with family.
Sunrise on the ocean and sunsets on the bay reminded us of the Glory of God and the power of our creator. It was a time of refreshing; to step away from the craziness of 2020 and enjoy the blessing of the Lord.
A day trip to Jockey Ridge to celebrate Holly’s Birthday provided some photo ops but also many memories of when the kids were younger and would slide down the sand dunes just like sledding in the snow. We wrapped up the evening with our only dinner out which was a special treat.
We then headed for home to Pennsylvania. We hit the ground running with meetings with BICUS leaders, dental and doctors appointments and catching up on many aspect of life that needed attention. We are thankful for our son who has taken care of many of our affairs while we are in Zambia. He has truly been a blessing this year.
Cutting down the family Christmas tree, followed by several snow storms brought the feel of the Christmas season. We were even blessed to have snow Christmas eve and day making for a beautiful white Christmas. Christmas Eve we were able to go to Zach’s church where he is the worship leader and the entire family provided the special music. This made mom very happy as she is often trying to get everyone to sing together. You can see our performance on YouTube: Christmas Eve – YouTube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPPN7rBE1k&t=3615s ( just start at the 1:00 hour mark.)
Even Snow on Christmas day couldn’t keep Grammy (and Pappy and Uncle Matt) from traveling across Pennsylvania to spend time with her son and grandchildren. We were blessed to share our gifts and love with each other, remembering the greatest gift of all, our Savior Jesus Christ.
During the Holiday we had the time to visit Grandma Holly’s grave. We placed a holly wreath in her memory. It was a good time to come to terms, to grieve, and to rejoice. It gave some closure which we could not achieve from afar in Zambia. Sharing and remembering with family. Missing those who are not with us this holiday.
We enjoyed a quiet New Year’s Eve and Day. This was followed by packing and preparing to return to Zambia. As many of you know Maggie’s passport renewal did not come in time so Mark has returned to Zambia alone. Maggie’s passport has now arrived. However, shortly after Mark left, she needed a root canal and is now waiting for her crown to be finished. She will hopefully return to Zambia by the end of the month.
Mark and Maggie BICWM 