I hope you are getting ready Christmas is all the Christmassy ways! I will confess that against my usual rhythm I decorated early for Christmas. We took Fall away and put up red ribbon, lights, and garland all around our apartment. It warmed my heart so much. The picture above is our living room all aglow!

Now as we are in full swing of the Holiday Season I am trying to savor each and every moment. Not only because 2020 calls for extra savoring of the good stuff but because this could very well be my last winter in the States for a while and certainly in this apartment.​

COVID has made my departure unpredictable overall but I don't want to go through this holiday causally to find out after later that it was my last here. I had a friend tell me today, well sort of, she told me over a Marco Polo, "we say celebrate the small things which we should but the flip side should be true as well, we need to grieve the small things too". This resonated so true in my soul. I am thinking of the small things about my life here, fresh coffee sitting at my kitchen table looking into our woodsy back yard, my indoor plants, my cat taking a long nap on me, or cooking in my tiny kitchen. All of these could be ending soon rather than later and that is okay.

So this year, I am dearly thankful for this little life I have and for each moment I have as I look ahead to the next chapter on my horizon. my prayer for you is that whether you are celebrating or grieving or a little bit of both you are fully present in them- all is a gift friends.

All the Best and Merry Christmas,
Marissa

Hi there! You are invited to the documentary premier of Free Burma Rangers. Find the Link to sign up HERE

Here's what you need to know!

What: Free Burma Rangers Movie watch parties over Zoom

When: December 11th 7pm

How: 
1) Fill out this simple form to sign up (link above) for the movie and receive your family snack pack!
2) Make your payment- give to Marissa's Venmo @Marissa-deraya. $30 per household.
3) Make sure you have a Zoom log in. You will receive a Zoom link for your movie time and a snack pack which includes popcorn, candy, hot coco and kids activities!

Why: This Movie Fundraiser will be a great evening of education documentary about a missionary family to Burma. The film follows Dave, Karen, and their three young children, as they venture into war zones where they are fighting to bring hope. Viewers will follow the family into firefights, heroic rescues, and experience life-changing ministry. All the proceed will go to Marissa Deraya a Missionary to Spain to work with women and children rescued from human trafficking.

*This film is not rated, but does contain violence of war, terror, and implied abuse. Suggested for older Teens and Adults. You can find more description here:https://www.movieguide.org/reviews/free-burma-rangers.html