By Donna:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Somehow, the joy and hope enveloped in the knowledge that a Saviour has been born permeates every day of the Christmas season! It does take a lot of time and energy to prepare special events, think of the people to bless and prepare gifts of love. All the time spent thinking of others is what brings that blessed inner happiness. 🙂 We were so happy to have family and friends with whom we are able to share those special moments: the songs, smiles, laughter and peace of Christmas.
Over the past years Gloria has participated in a project called “Natal Diferente”. This year she was involved in the organization of the event whose purpose is to bring a bit of the Christmas spirit and share a moment of care through music, personal conversation and small gifts with hospitalized patients who find themselves away from home and family during Christmas. The students from the two medical faculties in Lisbon reached out to many hospitals, nursing homes, institutions, donors and fellow students reaching thousands of people not only in the Lisbon area but also Beja, Santarem, Leiria and Madeira. They also showed love and appreciation to medical staff working through the Christmas holidays.
Celebrations were held for Gabriel’s birthday along with the customary festive celebrations. Born on the 23rd, Gabe is used to sharing his birthday with Jesus! This year, Gabriel presented us with the grand news that he and Selen are now engaged to be married! Congratulations to them both and may this be the beginning of many many years of happiness and commitment to one another!
Oh, how quickly 2023 entered in! Once again we entrusted the New Year into the hands of the Almighty as we got together to share our special accomplishments from last year, express our prayers and hopes for the new year to come and claim promises from the unfailing Word of God to give us light on the journey ahead. “Thy Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our Path”. Psalm 119:105. Our symbolic candle lighting ceremony is a physical representation of us lighting our small candle and receiving power and light from the source of all Light, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Other great pictures we treceived this season
