nutcracker

A friend of Amy and Elise's performed in a local production of the Nutcracker, and, since it's been pretty much a yearly tradition for us to go and watch it back in the U.S., we were excited to have the opportunity to see how a Filipino rendition would compare to what we've been used to.

We joined lots of other friends who came for the show.

Even Michael came along, since his friends were going, too!

For a total of about $4, the four of us enjoyed a full-length, lovely Nutcracker performance.

I was fascinated by the costuming -
the opening party scene was probably the most unusual
with all the bright, and non-standard costumes, shoes, and hairstyles.

As it turned out, a representative from the Atlanta GA ballet was there to play the Nutcracker, and to help choreograph.
It's a small world.

It's little things like this,
the ability to see a performance of the Nutcracker of all things,
that remind us of God's goodness in providing
so many things for us here that we didn't expect to find.

Many of our old traditions are gone -
we can't ride the Savannah ferry at night
to go and see the gingerbread houses across the river
while sipping hot cider.
We aren't able to join in the glorious Lessons and Carols Service,
or the caroling on the lawn in front of our downtown church.
We miss silly things like
mint M&Ms,
ice skating,
candy canes,
the cool winter air,
borrowing Christmas movies from the library,
making gingerbread houses,
and pulling out our collection of Christmas books
to curl up and read in front of the fire.

But we brought some of our traditions with us,
and we are making new ones, too.
And, to our surprise,
we are enjoying traditions we never expected this far from home.
Like the Nutcracker.

Thanks for inviting us, friends!
You blessed our season,
and we loved it.