MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 11-27-2006

Hello, folks! I trust everyone had a good Thanksgiving. We went over to my parent's house, and then swung by Anna's folks' house on the way home. The day after Thanksgiving is the day we traditionally get decorated for Christmas. We put on the Christmas music, put up the tree, set out the Nativity and assorted other Christmasy things, and lastly, put the ornaments on the tree. The kids enjoyed it tremendously, as always. The weather was unseasonably warm this year, so I was able to get the Christmas lights put up without losing fingers to frostbite, so that was good. Of course, it was more poignant knowing that this time next year we'll be in language school in Texas, and the year following in Soroti, Uganda, so this is basically our last Christmas in St. Louis. We try not to think too hard about it, but you can't help feeling a scoche sad as you contemplate these things.

Friday night, we were visited by the Grim Reaper – our old nemesis stomach flu. Anna spent the next 48 hours in the valley of the shadow of death, while I got to be Mr. Mom, cleaning up puke, doing laundry and dishes, and trying to keep the healthy kids entertained. We're okay today, and it appears that neither I, James, nor Elizabeth have had it, which is good, but those who did were wiped right out. Anna had the works – fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, vertigo, and weakness. Poor thing.

We got a new family picture today, in lieu of new prayer cards which we'll be getting to press soon. I'm working on getting our Christmas prayer letter ready to go. Other than that, all that remains is to plug a few gaps in next year's schedule, which is pretty well packed now. Pray that I'll be able to get those slots filled. We're looking forward to doing all the cool holiday things, like baking, Christmas shopping, visiting family, and what not. The kids are all in the Christmas play at our church coming up on December 10. Pray that it will go well, and that the participants will be healthy enough to make all the practices and get prepared for the play. Pray that a lot of the mostly Catholic folks from the area will be willing to come to a Baptist church to see a Christmas production, and that we'll see folks saved, baptized, and added to the church. Pray that God will bless the service, and make it an edifying and profitable time for all.