Honea Christmas

It's been almost two weeks (12 days to be exact) since my last exam.
Phil met me in Portland for post-exam drinks with some of my classmates.  We enjoyed a classic pub meal by a warm fire, hurried home, packed like crazy people and after three hours of sleep, were picked up by a friend at 4:15 am to catch our 6 am flight to Raleigh-Durham.

My mom and Dad picked us up from the airport and we met my sister (28 weeks prego!) and her husband for brunch.  This was the first time that I had seen my sister and brother in-law since their wedding in April and my parents since their New England vacation in July.  How time flys when immersed in grad school?!  Part of me forgets that life continues for other people while I'm checked out of the real world...caught somewhere between the covers of text books and 6 am traffic in my morning commute to the hospital.

After a short meal with my family, Phil's mom met us in Raleigh to take us back to Danville Virginia where we stayed for a full week with all five of Phil's siblings, their spouses and children...all under one roof!  Amazingly good time (apart from my horrific allergies to their animals :/ )

I love Christmas in Danville.  Phil's family is very traditional (a characteristic that I love!).  Every year, we know just what to expect--Christmas Eve dinner with crab soup, cheese and crackers and cured meats.  Stockings and gift exchange on Christmas Morning after indulging in 'Baby Jesus' Birthday Cake' (mmhhhmmm) An annual trip to the Chrismon Tree (for those of you who do not know what I'm talking about, check it out... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrismon_tree )

I always look forward to our daily walks on the 40 acre property...meandering along the nature paths with Belle, the family Australian Shepherd, crossing the creek and stopping for a peaceful moment by the River.  The whole family hangs around the great room and we catch up with each other about the things that have transpired in the last year and the things that will come in the year before we see each other again.  We drink hot chocolate and eat gingerbread cookies and laugh at sexual innuendoes when Phil's mom is out of the room (these are often prompted by Phil's dad :)  This year, we took family photos (thanks Debbie!) and soaked up time with our three beautiful nieces.  Seeing another generation begin and realizing that in spite of tradition, things continually change.

Our love for one another matures and adapts with the changes that we each bring to the table the following year.

My husband and his family are two of my greatest Christmas gifts every year.  They are strong and stable and I feel as though I can lean on them whenever life's seas become turbulent.  There is wisdom and experience to gain from phil's parents.  There is music and art to glean from his siblings.  I'm able to laugh and joke with my brother in laws about how weird the Honea clan can be :)

Mostly though, I'm reminded of how in the family of God, we are grafted in through Christ.  We, adopted sons and daughters, are treated just as if we were never adopted, rather born directly into the family.  What a remarkable blessing and gift to experience such love and acceptance?  


When it seems like the rest of the country is obsessed with shopping and families are arguing and dreading time with in-laws, I get to find rest, peace and joy in the home of my second family because of the goodness of God and His provision in my life.

He is indeed, Good.