Remembering

Over the last couple weeks, we sorted through our work-travel photos and videos - laughed, groaned, and did all you do when you go through years of memories like that! Jason ran some stats and found out that, since beginning our work assignment:

We were out of the country 24.3% of the time,
away from home 42%,
had 125 flights,
covering about 173,000 flight miles,
58 different airports,
with the most frequented airports being Denver, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Port-of-Spain, and Lima,
and 23 countries.

The last of those countries was Ecuador and this morning we enjoyed those memories. As a Christmas gift, I thought I'd share this video with you! It makes us laugh every time. These are just some of the kids we worked for, believing that change is possible for generations of deaf kids to come. Our favorite moment happens with the "wop" right at the end of the video!

This Advent season, we are joyfully singing "O Holy Night", our all-time favorite Christmas carol, and "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus", coming in a close second. May we believe and live these words of freedom year-round.

O Holy Night
"Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angels' voices!
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;
Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim."

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

"Come Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver

Born a child and yet a King

Born to reign in us forever

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone

By Thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Rise now Jesus, break the darkness
Shine your light into our world
Loose the chains of all injustice
Let your love reign over the earth
Lost and broken, all your children
Turn our hearts to see their need
Yours is the Kingdom, power and glory.
Come Lord Jesus, Savior, King.
Yours is the Kingdom, power glory
Come Lord Jesus, Savior, King."