An open mind and a heart to serve: A Very Merry Christmas

Although I'm not "home" home, I've been welcomed into Frank's home by all of his family. I'm sure glad I got to see my family before coming here otherwise I would be really missing them, but thankfully, I got to spend some time with them and now I'm with more family. I do really miss being "home" for Christmas, but I'm having a wonderful time in Maryland, despite the cold.

So far there's been shopping, family dinners, cookie making, a hockey game, Christmas presents, tree cutting and decorating, and lots of good conversation. I've met some very kind people here and I've felt so welcome :) Makes me feel really special. Frank's family has included me in their traditions from searching for the perfect tree and decorating it, to having a filled stocking left at the foot of my bed and unloading the stockings together in the morning. I thought that having Frank in my life was enough of a blessing, but having his family in my life is a blessing indeed. They have been so kind to me and I am enjoying all the family time here. They also were so sweet and gave me some gifts to include me in their gift exchange--it was such a nice thing to include me and I felt like part of the family.

Something special: Frank and I exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. I gave him a small collection of books from one of my favorite authors (Donald Miller) with a bookmark that I made with a poem I wrote. Frank is an avid reader so I wanted him to have something to think of me when he reads. I also got him a water bottle he really wanted & was pretty excited about--it's the little things in life ;) Now onto his gifts for me. The first one: We were out touring downtown Frederick, Maryland the other day and found a neat pottery shop and we saw some cool ornaments. I pointed out one that I really liked and he had his dad secretly pick it up later to surprise me. So sweet. And, the grand finale... he gave me an Irish Claddagh ring because of his Irish heritage and the traditions he loves. Also, his father gave one to his mother when they were dating. It was very special and brought me to tears of course. The tradition of the ring is that you wear it on your right hand ring finger facing out if you are unattached/looking for love; on your right hand ring finger facing in if you are "romantically involved" or your heart is spoken for; on the left hand ring finger facing out if you're engaged; and on the left hand ring finger facing in if you're married. Mine is on my right hand ring finger facing in--he stole my heart ;) It's a neat tradition and I'm really happy he gave it to me. Also, his father has an Irish Claddagh ring as his wedding ring.