Manchester Christmas Market

I love going to Christmas markets. I love the lights, the warmth in the cold winter season, the wooden huts/stalls with pretty ornaments & gifts, and most importantly the jolly good time with friends. :)
ps: Notice the top picture with the big poster that reminds people of Christ's center place in this wonderful season.

Bright and merry

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:1-5, 9-14

Bright because Christ's light shines in the darkness.

Merry because of the love of friends and family in Christ.

 December in York: City lights, Carol service in the York Minster, meals with friends, and our house's Christmas decorations.

Frosty

Earlier in December, York became a frosty town. Here are some pictures from that day. :)

A visit to Switzerland

Last November, I had a reunion with Lulu and Rebekka in Rebekka's beautiful hometown of Baden. We made trips to Zurich and Raperswil as well while we were there. I am incredibly thankful for the hospitality and love Rebekka and her family have shown us. God is good.

some November highlights

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:7-19

Last of the autumn colours, exploring York with friends, Saturday hang-outs and conversations, and a visit from Grace and Mic.

Sydney-by the coasts

 I love the colours of the buildings by the beach.

 Lifeguards in Australia are marked by their red and yellow tents.

Bondi Beach:

 Then, we drove further to Bronte to see another magnificent seaside.

A natural swimming pool using the sea water. Brilliant.

 It's a good place to surf or to just sit around and enjoy the breeze and sounds of waves.

My cousin Jenny and her husband Joseph brought us to experience the Sydney coasts and even though we didn't do beach-type of activities due to time-constraints and weather, we enjoyed seeing and being in the Fish market, Watsons Bay, Bondi beach, and Bronte. When I stood there taking in the breathtaking views around me, I understood why people love living in Sydney. You get the best of city life and nature.