Christmas in Chile

Christmas in Chile was a very interesting experience. For me, much of Christmas is the ambiance before Christmas. The lights, the smells of baking, snow, music and the like. Well, Christmas lights aren’t as big a deal here for a couple of reasons. They use electricity and it doesn’t get dark until 9:30 pm because it is in the middle of the summer. Baking isn’t big because it is hot and no one really likes to bake in the summer. Snow – obviously no. Music, well there was a little Christmas music playing in some of the stores but not everywhere. So the build up to Christmas just really wasn’t there. On the other hand, once Christmas came the spirit of Christmas came with it. Christmas eve we didn’t get together and talk until it got dark outside and we could put on our Christmas tree lights and feel like it really was ‘eve’. We talked about the symbols and Christmas and the similarities to our own lives. Then we watched Mr. Krugars Christmas, a tradition at our house.

Christmas morning we rolled out of bed about 9 am. We were really tired because we went to bed late. In Chile, everyone stays up on Christmas eve until midnight, then they open their presents. There was lots of noise and partying going on until early Saturday morning. Nate suggested that we immerse ourselves in the culture around us and do Christmas on Christmas Eve! Not going to happen. After opening presents, we all went back to bed for a couple of hours. Then our friends, Henry and Pauli Clarke came over with their four daughters for Christmas dinner. First we took the kids to the pool while the chickens baked. Then we ate our feast! It was delicious. It was very fun to talk to all of our family on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Thanks for calling! The kids loved getting their cousin gifts. The books from Grandpa and Grandma McGuire were also very exciting since we don't have many books here. It was fun to see the kids truly feel excited over getting things like 'American' Cocoa Mix and a pack of Star Bursts!
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The most exciting part of Christmas day was getting to talk to Elder Griener. We had a great visit with him. It makes everything seem so normal to talk to him on the phone. It helps him and us feel that life isn’t that different after all. He will come home to a very ‘changed’ life but when your family is all there, it is all good. He told us that his release date will be July 20th. As I said, he was transfered to Flushing Queens. He is in an apartment with his companion and 2 english speaking Elders. One of the Elders is from Shannon and Stefan's ward!