Christmas Letter

I hope everyone is having a great Christmas season! England is even more romantic during the holidays. In winter our city is not only blessed with stunning old buildings that scream beauty and history, but it is also adorned with lights and festive decorations. Many cities have a Christmas market as well. At a Christmas market there are many stalls with unique and fun gifts to buy. And if you get thirsty there is mulled wine to drink. Mulled wine is a wine served hot that is mixed with cinnamon, cloves, and other warm spices. But I have to say my favorite season in England is not winter, and it certainly is not its cold summers, but rather is fall. Not only because fall has the most BEAUTIFUL colors, but because this fall we were blessed with our second daughter, Gloria Anne.
Gloria came very fast with not even 2 hours between when my water broke and when she arrived. Unlike in America, a midwife delivered my baby and not a doctor. In fact I only saw my doctor two times in total. Health care is free here, but it comes at a cost—not much time with a doctor or other perks. I had to come home the day I delivered or I would have been put in a room with two other new moms. My bed would have an uncomfortable, thin, flat mattress and I would have to say good bye to my husband for the night. They even asked for a diaper from us as soon as Gloria was born! It was very different than the nice room Drew and I stayed at when I delivered Victoria. I stayed 3 days with my husband on a bed that inclined and was supplied with everything I needed for my baby. But I almost prefer giving birth in England because of the amazing midwives. Midwives come to visit you the day after you leave the hospital. Yes, you heard me right, they come to you. House calls!!! Gloria took her time gaining weight, so a midwife came every two days to check on us. I loved it!!
Though Gloria scared us a bit when she was not gaining weight, she has been a great baby. She loves being held, so I’m hoping she will be a cuddler! She is also a great sleeper, giving us a full night’s sleep most all nights. Victoria loves Gloria very much. She always wants to hold her and check on her if she is crying, though she is not fond of mommy and daddy giving Gloria so much attention. But all in all she loves being a big sister.
This past year I gave Victoria a “You are my sunshine” themed first birthday party. Before and after that party she has truly been my sunshine, cheering me up when I look out the window and it is raining again! She has an amazing smile that makes your heart sing. She loves to read, it is only her books that capture her attention for more than 5 minutes; most toys don’t get much play time. Being in England we are nurturing a love in Victoria for English authors. She has almost memorized the children’s counting book entitled Pride and Prejudice, though her favorite book, so far, is Peter Rabbit. She spent about 2 months carrying around the book and would tell anyone who would listen that “Peter was naughty by going into Mr. McGregor’s garden”. This year I’m giving her a Peter Rabbit birthday party. I can’t believe my little girl will be two next month!
Drew has been doing a lot of reading and researching! I’m proud to announce that he will be getting published in the journal Dead Sea Discoveries next year. He is already half way through his doctorate program and is still thriving at the university he attends. He has an amazing adviser and great colleagues. But our biggest blessing in England is our small church. Our pastor is a very loving man with a lot of practical wisdom. I’ll miss our church more than anything when we leave Birmingham. However, I’ll miss the rain least of all!
This past year we have missed many weddings and other special occasions in America. It is at those times when we miss being home the most. I hope all of you know how much we love you even though we are so far away. We think of you all often and pray this next year is filled with blessings from the Lord.