Advent

Dear friends and family,

We hope that you have begun this festive time of year with peace in your hearts and joy in your life! We had the pleasure of attending two lovely services yesterday at St. John's Cathedral to mark the start of our Advent journey, first the regular 9am Sung Eucharist service and then a special candlelight 'Carol Service' at 6pm comprising of eight readings and beautiful, more obscure, carols sung by the Cathedral Choir and guests, Queen's College choir from Cambridge University, UK. It was incredibly gorgeous for the senses! We soaked it up and look forward to the next carol service on the fourth Sunday of Advent! The readings were done in different languages, as the Cathedral holds Sunday services in several languages, and all came together for this beautiful event. We were too tired and hungry to linger afterwards for the wine and cookies on the lawn, however, the atmosphere seemed great and we hope to join the party next time.

We decorated the Christmas tree in between services, and our apartment has taken on a distinctively red and festive appearance. When all is up and sparkling we will take some pictures for your viewing... but if you ask me it's the best looking tree I've ever seen! (We got a hand-me-down fake tree from departing missionaries and have transformed its 'Charlie Brown tree-look' into something really special with our decorations and some illumination!)

Hope to hear from you soon,

Love,
Katrina and Ryan