Christmas with Jamila and the Kids

So, last night Duncan and I delivered some wonderful Christmas gifts
from mom to our extended African families. Enjoy the photos :)

Senayit opens her Christmas bag!

Roma is excited about the baby doll.

Dawit loved the motorcycle!

Demadi was most excited about the candy.

All the kids together!

Whitney and all the kids (yay!)

Possibly the cutest baby ever.

Dawit had a lot of fun last night :)

Of course, we must end with a Moki photo. She wants to be a Christmas present this year!

Duncan's End of Year Survey

What was the best part of last year? - Our one year anniversary at Middleton Place-- not only because the place was awesome, but because of why we were celebrating.

What was the worst part of last year? - I stubbed my toe pretty hard one day...

What was the biggest surprise of last year? - An anonymous scholarship was pretty unexpected, and extremely wonderful

What are you most looking forward to next year? - A chance to not forget Valentine's Day! (Ok, that was the worst part of last year...)

Is there anything you are not looking forward to next year? - Umm... not really. That may be a lie, but I'm sticking to it.

Which new years resolutions did you keep last year? - HAHA!

Which new years resolutions did you break last year? - Have to make 'em to break 'em. We did make some, but having forgotten entirely what they were, I guess we haven't done so hot...

What will be your new years resolutions next year? - Be less lame.

Which resolution are you most likely to break? - Already failed.

Which resolution are you most likely to keep? - Not that one.

What will you be doing on new years eve? - Drinking too much champagne?

Who will you be with at new years eve? - My wife!

Who do you want to kiss to see the new year in? - MY WIFE!!

Who will you probably end up kissing to see the new year in? - My wife?

What was the best song of last year? - No comment... the shame would be too great.

What was the best TV show of last year? - Community, Dexter, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock, American Dad, Modern Family, Bones... oh wait, just one?

What was the best book you read last year? - John Calvin's Institutes. What a page turner! But really, the graphic novel Watchmen was excellent, and one of the few books I could read in free time.

What was the best film of last year? - Didn't see enough to make that call.

What change would you like to make to your life next year? - Be more assertive and have more initiative.

What change would you like to see in the world next year? - That all the guns would disappear overnight would be a good start.

Whitney's End of Year Survey

End of 2009 already? How can this be? Well, here's the recap...


What was the best part of last year? - Working with refugee families—new passion in life found.

What was the worst part of last year? - 2009 was generally pretty awesome; I can't even think of anything!

What was the biggest surprise of last year? - Duncan is an amazing preacher. I always knew Duncan was extremely intelligent, but I never knew he would be commanding from a pulpit!

What are you most looking forward to next year? - Traveling abroad. There are a couple of possibilites on the table, so hopefully one of them will work out.

Is there anything you are not looking forward to next year? - Nothing that I'm dreading!

Which new years resolutions did you keep last year? - I don't even remember my resolutions. Therefore, I'm pretty sure that I didn't keep them. Oops.

Which new years resolutions did you break last year? - See above...

What will be your new years resolutions next year? - Better time-management, exercise, creating more time to read (one book per month!)

Which resolution are you most likely to break? - Exercise, duh. That one is always on there, and it never lasts though January.

Which resolution are you most likely to keep? - I'm on schedule for one book per month, so I think this will work out.

What will you be doing on new years eve? - Having a few friends over, i.e. having fun!

Who will you be with at new years eve? - My sweet husband and my dearest friends

Who do you want to kiss to see the new year in? - My one and only!

Who will you probably end up kissing to see the new year in? - Wow, we're focused on New Years...

What was the best song of last year? - Hahaha... so many lame answers: I have stayed in my car to finish singing "The Climb" and any Taylor Swift song. I realize these answers only reinforce the thought that I am only 15.

What was the best TV show of last year? - Dexter, by far. This season owned all other television shows. Best new show of the year is definitely Modern Family

What was the best book you read last year? - The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey

What was the best film of last year? - We haven't watched too many new movies... best one we saw in theater was UP.

What change would you like to make to your life next year? - Not overbook my schedule quite so much

What change would you like to see in the world next year? - World Peace. Duh. But seriously, peace prevailing.

Why We Haven't Been Doing Regular Blog Posts

This blog was a super-useful tool when we were in Ireland and had exciting happenings to report every day. Now I find that we just don't update it that often. I'll make a commitment in 2010 to do better (especially since we're sending out the URL on the Christmas card this year!), but I thought I'd reflect for a moment on what's changed. Obviously, being in adult mode in regular life is just not nearly as exciting as living in Dublin Ireland where everything felt new and like an adventure. Life right now for the Meadows isn't exactly boring either. Perhaps we are just so busy that we haven't found the time to be relaying what's happening in life. Between church functions, small groups, refugee families, work and school, or schedules are pretty busy. Somehow, we seem to only find time to update when our cat is hilarious, but trust me, we are experiencing life in full, rich, and fulfilling ways.

All this to say: sorry for lack of real updates on life, and I promise to do better... starting soon :)

Whitney