festive.

So I'm kind of a Grinch when it comes to Christmas. It's just not my favorite holiday. (GASP - I know. Someone call the Christmas police.) I think it comes from this incessant need I have to root for the underdog. And in my mind, the underdog in this case is Thanksgiving. So it bothers me that this most amazing holiday of Thanksgiving gets so completely overlooked by the massive green and red whirlwind of Christmas. But here's the thing...in Nicaragua, there is no such thing as Thanksgiving! So I can't even be mad about Christmas decorations going up mid-October or Christmas music being played in November because Thanksgiving { sadly } isn't even a thought! (Although, surprisingly enough, many stores still do Black Friday deals...) Anyways, I have been to more Christmas celebrations in the past month then I would like to admit. But I am going to admit them to you because { shhh - don't tell anyone this...} but they were actually really fun!

It all started with a "cena de gracias" (dinner of thanks) with all the coordinators (team leaders) of the different Vida Joven clubs in Managua. It was a sweet night of having so many key leaders from Managua in one place, giving thanks for all God has done this year in the ministry and dreaming big dreams for 2015!

Coordinators from Managua Central

Managua North, Managua South and Managua Central coordinators

Every Thursday, we have a coordinator meeting for Managua central and one week we spent that time preparing for our Christmas Leadership party. We were like little Christmas elves, decorating Christmas cookies and making Christmas decorations!

Me, Gilbert and Karina

Elsa and I

 Later that week, we had the actual Christmas Leadership party with all the Vida Joven leaders in Managua Central! Somehow, I got roped into running games...dressed as the Grinch with my friend Narcisso as "Santa Nica". Don't worry though...in the end, the Grinch still got a bigger heart and fell in love with Christmas!

Santa Nica and the Grinch

Managua Central leaders

Ada and I...I promise she loved the hat!

Gil and I

I also got to enjoy a fun, dress up night for our Bible study Christmas dinner. I know we look really serious in these pics, but I promise you, this night was spent completing truth or dare challenges, eating amazing gelato and lots of laughter!

Family Christmas card pic?

Ruth, Sarah, Leah, me, Jen, Katie, Amanda and Kelly.

Then came our annual Christmas Party with our amazing student leaders in the International Schools club. Complete with Christmas carols, white elephant gift exchange and a round of Christmas charades.

{ from left to right }
Top: Nicole, Ramiro, Jen, Golda, Adriana and Anamaria.
Bottom: Carlos, Mariana, Ashley, Pratt (& Ada), Nate and I.

We love our student leaders!

 And lastly, to celebrate our last Cabin Time of 2014, the girls came over to decorate Christmas cookies! 

Maria Valeria and her sister 

{ from left to right }
Top: Me, Adriana, Laura, Teresina, Maria Valeria, Ana Paula and Anamaria
Bottom: Francis, Agustina, Denisse, Mariana

Francis, Teresina, Laura, Denisse, Maria Valeria, Ana Paula and I

Adriana, Mariana and Anamaria cutting out some delicious cookies

The final round of the most creative cookie!

So there you have it. Look at me, being all festive with Christmas this year. Who knows, next year I may even start listening to Christmas music...