Brooklyn in Paris: December In France

First of all, Aymeric came up with the title for this blog!!! I thought it was a pretty good idea and now he is all shy about it. haha

December in France. I have so many mixed feelings about it. It's exciting because for the first time I'm celebrating the Christmas season in another place...another place far away from home. But on the other hand I'm celebrating it without my family and it makes me miss home. Yes, you heard it. I miss home a little bit. I think that's the first time I've said it. The "Unknown" can be very scary for some people and very exciting for others, and I think I'm somewhere in between. I know I will never regret the decision I made to come here because I've learned so much and met so many wonderful people here! That is the only reason I am able to be here without feeling sad all the time about 'home.' They have made me feel welcome and have given me a second 'home.' I feel very blessed with the people I have in my life from both homes! I really am so lucky and I take it for granted sometimes!

So yes, I have mixed feelings especially around the Christmas season. BUT when I think about why we celebrate Christmas it makes it so much easier to feel comfort and peace wherever I am. I think a lot of people today, including me, forget why we celebrate Christmas. We get caught up in the business of shopping and attending parties that before we know it, it's over. And then you don't have to think about it anymore because it's New Year's Eve and you have another party to go to. Then after that, you are busy trying to keep up with your New Year's Revolution. And this happens every Christmas year. I wish we could all just stop and think for a second. Ask ourselves: why is all my family here together? What is the purpose of buying all of these gifts for each other? I realized that there really isn't any purpose in buying gifts for each other...is there? The purpose we are all celebrating for is that Christ, our Savior, was born on this day. And no matter what gift we receive or give, it will never compare to what Jesus Christ gave to us...his life. I hope we all can stop in our busy schedule and think about why we really celebrate Christmas. I hope we can all remember that the greatest gift has already been given to us.

And now, more about France. There really isn't anything new to report. Everyday I strive to learn more and more French. It's amusing and frustrating at the same time. After this week the Troadecs leave for Switzerland for Christmas and I will have about a week to myself and then I'm going to BELGIUM!!! Woo woo! Super excited. The Olivier's in my ward invited me to go with them and I'm so grateful for the invitation because I probably would have been celebrating Christmas alone.

On Friday night, the JA, Young Adults, had a Christmas party. It was a lot of fun! We ate delicious food and had a little gift exchange. Here are a few pictures: