Internationalmatt's Blog

This blog is about my international friends and their inspiring stories

Christmas Day with my friends Amelia and Carlos from Peru

Amelia and Carlos sit down for our delcious Christmas dnner prepared by Amelia

We are having the biggest snowstorm at Christmas time that I can remember for a long time. Even though it is a cold, snowy day, I was able to visit my friends Amelia and Carlos from Peru. I enjoyed our time together. Amelia cooked some Turkey Peruvian style which was delicious. We also had some mashed potatoes, vegetables, rice , hot chocolate and some Paneton a special bread with fruit in it.

Carlos and Amelia in front of their tree

me with Amelia and Carlos

Amelia and Carlos in front of their Natvity Scene

I talked with Carlos’s family via the internet and said Feliz Navidad to them. We had a good time talking about what we did for Christmas Eve. They were able to talk with their families at midnight on Christmas Eve which is a special time for them. I also noticed how nice their apartment looked. Amelia decorated it very nice with a Christmas tree and a Nativity Scene. I don’t think Carlos would have decorated like that if he was on his own :) .

The Nativity Scene

Nativity Scenes are something I appreciate because they help remind me of the real meaning of Christmas which is that Jesus was born to show us the love of God.

I only stayed a few hours because I did not want to drive home in the dark with the snowy weather. I would have liked to stay longer. I felt honored to be able to spend Christmas Day with them since this is Amelia’s first Christmas in America. I always enjoy visiting them. Before I went home, they came outside with me to take some pictures in the snow.

Carlos and Amelia in front of snow covered bushes

Amelia and Carlos in front of a snow mound

December 25, 2009 Posted by | Christmas, Cross Cultural, Cultural Ambassdors, Cutural Celebrations, Experiences of international friends, food, Hispanic friends, Holidays, International Friendships, Peruvian Friends, winter | Leave a Comment

Sharing Christmas with my international friends- Christmas Eve

My homemade Christmas card from my young Vietnamese friends

This afternoon I went to Christmas Eve Service at my church with friends from China and Vietnam. It was fun to share a Christmas Eve candlelight service with my friends who had not been to one before.  I had a nice surprise when I picked them up. My friends from Vietnam made a Christmas Card for me.

Cong, Yen, Tuan, Paula and Quang waiting for the service to start

Huiyua and Zhou Heng waiting for the service to start

Quang, Phung and Tram waiting for the service to start

My friends liked the story for the children and singing Silent Night by Candle Light. I always enjoy singing Silent Night by Candle Light. I enjoy it because of the simplicity of sitting in Candle Light and singing a song that expresses the meaning of Christmas. It is always a peaceful moment and a time to reflect quietly on why we celebrate Christmas.

After the service they helped me record a video of me saying Happy Birthday Jesus in various languages which I posted on my facebook page. I drove them home and stopped at the store as it was really starting to snow. Now I am sitting in my house playing on my computer and hoping I can visit friends tomorrow.

Huiyuan and Zhou Heng from China in front of Christmas tree at church

Phung, Tram, Quang, Paula, Yen and Tuan from Vietnam in front of a Christmas tree at church

December 25, 2009 Posted by | Chinese friends, Christmas, Cross Cultural, Cultural Ambassdors, Cutural Celebrations, Experiences of international friends, Holidays, International Friendships, Internationals, Vietnamese friends, winter | Leave a Comment

   

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