Tonight is Christmas Eve and we chose to stay in the Netherlands this year and have a European Christmas.

We went to church with friends and enjoyed the uplifting Christmas music and message of hope and light.

Afterwards, we had friends over for an appetizer and finger food type dinner with drinks and desserts. I love having people over and tonight was great! I feel at home here and I love the new friends we’ve made.

After everyone left, we called B to Facetime with her family and open the package she had sent us. We opened the box to see this:

I cracked up laughing before we saw even more that was in the box, which was such a sweet and thoughtful surprise. Back home, we have a tradition of playing Santa’s Elf and leaving a sign on friends’ doors along with little treats and a message explaining the elf process, and paying it forward to two more friends. And you had to be sneaky and not reveal yourself. How sweet was it that they chose us all the way over here??

What was in the box was above and beyond too and something for each of us. But what made me smile the most was the sound of laughter coming from Charlie’s friend, D. He was so happy to see Charlie and Charlie to see him that they just giggled and shared inside jokes. I smiled and cried too…. Missing home just a little bit again and thankful for good friends.

So with that, I wish you the touch of magic that Christmas offers and the gift of love and friendship that fills our souls. Merry Christmas, friends.