Celebrating Christmas Day

My Dad and I simply loved sharing our Christmas Day with a small group of students and friends ... it's just a shame I can't squeeze more around the table.

Thank you Veroni, Megan, Hung, Kevish, Suvarna,
Sonali,  John Paul and Basel for helping to my our
 Christmas Day so very, very special!!

A BIG THANK YOU too to Sonali's parents, Prasad & Geethani, for the lovely card you sent all the way from Sri Lanka  ...  maybe one day I'll get to visit and thank you in person for entrusting us with your lovely daughter :-)

In the Martin home Christmas Day involves a morning

service at St Mark's, followed by a traditional meal

of turkey and all the trimmings, which must finish

in time for the Queen's speech at 3pm!!

Then it's time for present opening, pudding and

collapsing in front of a good film :-)

In addition to personal presents St Mark's was blessed with a HUGE pile of anonymous gifts for those who might not have much on Christmas Day  ...  and we were blessed with a mystery box for each of the students.

  

The boxes were filled with toilettries, food and clothing - Hung received a pair of pyjama bottoms almost as tall as he is :-)

Amongst the many wonderful gifts I received was an apron that allows me to over-indulge as 'Christmas calories DO NOT count'  ...  marvellous!!!

 

"I have no words to describe how thankful I am for you inviting me to spend Christmas day  at your home.  It was such a surprise to receive all the lovely presents and I really enjoyed  the dinner.  I was in tears yesterday night,  felt so loved and cared for even though I'm thousands  of miles away  from  home.  Dear Lynne and uncle Bill you made me feel special.  Thank you so much.  May God almighty bless you both abundantly and may Jesus Christ bless you with good health. "  Sonali (Sri Lanka)

"Thankyou for having us. We did not miss our family ... the lunch was brilliant, and it was like a family time. Thankyou for the present too.*   Suvarna (India)

"I sincerely appreciate and thank you once again for making my Christmas very exceptional and special, I really had a wonderful time. All glory and honour goes to Almighty God who made it possible for us to meet. I am honoured. Yesterday was my greatest chrismas ever. Indeed this year I have seen the goodness of the Lord. You have a such big, kind, and loving heart."  John Paul (Uganda)