HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

After months and months of life in Haiti, it is always good to be back home in PA around 'old' friends and family.

Family get-togethers are always a highlight...spending time with those you've known your whole life. As we grow and age, I continue to be blessed by time with family...old and new. Christmas Eve. New Years Eve.

My time in the USA is an occasion to visit congregations that support ASAPH. I see faces of people who knew me way back when, and those I've met just since ASAPH was founded. I'm encouraged each time I connect with Americans who are so willing to give and share with people they never meet. I feel privileged to be a channel for those gifts and always feel motivated to go back to Haiti because of them. This trip I was able to sing with a choir (St. Paul Trinity) and play in a Christmas Cantata (CLC).

Fall and early Winter. Applesauce. Cookies. Walks in the woods. Thanksgiving. Football. Christmas music. High school basketball. Lights. Snow-tubing. The joys of 'the holidays' are many.

Mom and I got to attend a fine bell choir concert and special music at several church events. I also enjoyed live big band music a couple of times and the annual program at Lancaster Bible College. Wow. America does music well.

I traveled up to Minersville where I spent two years teaching after college. It was weird. It seems more than a lifetime ago now.

In short, it's always good to be home in PA.