Christmas Eve 2015...Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

The Bernau's nativity.

Unto us a child is born! Prince of Peace!

Silent Night!

Love the ones you are with and to all of the rest...Merry Christmas!

The sleigh didn't have enough snow, but do not worry, Santa is very creative!

Peace!

Kennedy Center, Food Bank and Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Friday, December 18, was the last day before winter break and I went to sub in Kindergarten at Charles Barrett Elementary and take the students to the Kennedy Center for a performance "Elephant and Piggie".

The students were greeted in the morning by their school mascot, Pandas. The students told me it was the principal and assistant principal.

Later we saw them getting ready to play with first graders on the playground...

The bus ride was bumpy, but a short ride to the Kennedy Center.

Google Elephant and Piggie if it interests you. There are books and the play was delightful!

Friday night Jim and I took care of Henry,

Mom works with Jim and they had "Dad's" Christmas party. We were out to Henry's house until 1:30 am. That is how we roll in our crazy new life here in DC. Henry was awesome, and his parents provided dinner from Society Fair with wine. My kind of career!(Work for Wine)

Today, Saturday, we went to the DC Food Bank with the Benjamin B French Mason's. 

We were a great group of workers and had a lot of fun, shoulder to shoulder.

Yes, one of Jim's brothers went to Iowa. I make sure I am wearing red and gold when I am with him. He is from Bondurant. Small world right?

After we were done we drove to "Bus Boys and Poets" for food.

We have enjoyed getting to know these people a great deal and love what the Mason's do!

The coffee shop/bar was right next door to the "Politics and Prose" bookstore. 

This is Dewey on of my favorite BBF Mason's.

After this we were going to head home until we saw this beautiful dome across the street.

Pedro and Lisa were going to go look at the Christmas decorations and mentioned to me that it is where the Pope came earlier. I was so happy when Jim agreed to go look at it with them. It was an unexpected treasure going through this gorgeous Basilica. It brought back memories of walking the Camino de Santiago.

Pedro and Lisa

Jim is pointing out to me where St. James is honored on the Basilica...I'm still waiting for the extra chapters in the Book of James, Jim keeps telling me what the Bible says in these unpublished chapters...but I wait with anticipation to see it in BLACK AND WHITE!

We entered through the Narthex and walked through most of the two main floors. I hope you all enjoy the photos.

You will see many ceiling shots, the mosaics were extraordinary!

The advent wreath was ginormous!

There were so many trees! I kept wishing the lights would have been on.

We are behind the crossing now, closer to the Sanctuary.

There is no stain in you O Mary!👼🏼

You are all beautiful, O Mary!😇

This is the huge mosaic in the center back of the Sanctuary.

We wait with anticipation...

A little dark to see well, but a lovely nativity.

Next we went downstairs to the crypt level...oh my!

Francis asked for a selfie with me...Now, I ask you, would you say no to Pope Francis?

Go State! 😍

This is a picture of a picture with the lights on.

Nativity 

To go to the confessionals, you enter through these beautiful doors.

Camino moment in the gift shop.

Have a blessed Fourth Sunday in Advent! Peace!