A Dickens' Christmas Festival, and Commencement

This weekend has been filled with some great events!  Friday night we hosted "game night" and had my sister-in-law and her husband over, in which we stayed up way too late...3:30 a.m. late, but it was a blast.  During game nights we have a few "staple" card games we typically play: pinochle, canasta, Rook, shanghai rummy, and hearts.  I actually disliked card games quite a bit before I met Michael, but him and his family have rubbed off on me, and now I really enjoy them a lot.  One of my all-time favorite games from that list would be pinochle, what are some of your favorite card games?  Gotta love family time!

Saturday was the highlight of my weekend though; witnessing my friend Bailey graduate, and helping out at the Dickens' Christmas Festival with my church, The Journey, was so much fun!  Bailey's graduation was great; I'm so glad to have witnessed this accomplishment in her life.  We met during our freshman year of college, but because of our horrendously busy schedules, we never had that much time to hang out.  After discovering we both like writing letters we became pin-pals over breaks, and would write encouraging words of wisdom to each other.  At the start of this semester we made it a priority to get lunch once a week, and our friendship took off.  I'm so glad to have shared some of our college years together and am looking forward to seeing what God has prepared for her.

I felt very "proper"

Saturday evening was spent volunteering with my church at the Dickens' Christmas Festival, which was held downtown.  The event was started last year and is intended to kick off the Christmas season.  It is similar to a street fair, with vendors set up in the square, in some buildings, and down "Dickens Ally".  Christmas lights were hung up everywhere, and there was plenty of hot chocolate to go around.  My church had a photo booth with a beautiful painted backdrop, and costumes for people to wear if they chose to do so.  Our goal was to get connected in the community, and provide good quality photos for anyone who wanted them....and did I mention that they were free!  Me and my friend Ashley dressed up as women from the Victorian Age to help fit the scene.  She was the photographer throughout the night and I was a greeter, passing out invite cards.  It was such a thrill being able to volunteer in the community with part of my church family.

What a great way to start my last Christmas break as a college student!  I can't believe that I graduate in less than a year...the years have flown by.  I'm thankful for everything God has been doing, and am eager to see what He has planned!