Surprise!

It’s fun to make an entrance. Dramatic entrances are even better. It’s also fun to make multiple dramatic entrances over the course of just a couple days. When we decided a couple weeks ago to make a trip home to California for Christmas, we decided not to tell our family…this way we were able to surprise them with our unexpected arrival!

My mom was in her PJ’s- and utter disbelief- when we showed up at her door, late Monday night. The next day my Grandma Maples (she’s pictured above) couldn’t quite figure out who we were as we waited in her driveway, in Josh’s car, and she peeked in at the “surprise” Josh had brought. My dad spilled some of his favorite candy at the shock of Johnny and I showing up in the movie theater that night, asking if the seats beside him were taken. Our Larsen grandparents, aunts, unlces, cousins, etc… were all a bit bewildered as we walked through the door of the restaurant they were meeting at for dinner.

Our time went by quickly, but we were able to have good time with the Larsens and Maples, and a couple other friends as well. My brother, Josh, had just gotten married in September so we stayed with him and his lovely wife, Shannon, in their wonderful home (actually, Lora Drive, a perfect little condo in Los Gatos that I once lived in!). While in California we got to watch some episodes of The Office, play video games, eat In ‘N Out and Chipotle, see Avatar in 3D, shop at Trader Joe’s, and so much more!

But with all the excitement and flurry of Christmas, it is easy to lose track of time and forget to actually celebrate the birth of Jesus! We are celebrating our Savior, coming to be with us. We are remembering that He will return to earth again. In the Christmas Eve service we went to, John and I were both filled again with awe and reverence at the lyrics of the song,
Hark the Herald Angels Sing:

Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth

Truly amazing! We hope the Lord has renewed your excitement for Christmas this year. We hope it was a blessed time for you and your families! Now we are on our way to Kansas City. John has some family there, and his Grandma Gillespie passed away last week. A wonderful woman, 86 years old, who loved the Lord and prayed continuously! We’ll be there until the first of the year. We are in the Denver airport right now (free wireless!!), waiting to board our slightly-delayed flight. There is snow on the ground, and we are dressed in lots of layers. Kansas City, here we come!

Love to you all!