Wandering Browns

As a college student, December was always a hectic time. After Thanksgiving, it seemed that everything came to a head- papers, projects, and finals all loomed in the weeks before Christmas. I always shopped early and over the course of a few weeks to combat the pressure of that time of year. After completing my graduate program, I never felt that Christmas was so hectic and commercial that I didn’t have time to celebrate the real reason for Christmas- the birth of Jesus Christ. Sure, I was annoyed when Christmas stuff appeared in the stores in October, but really the start of the Christmas season for me has always been Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, you prepare for Christmas! Here in Cilacap, there are no problems with the “commercial” part of Christmas. No rushing around buying gifts. No Santas in the mall and commercials on TV with all the best Christmas toys. We don’t even have a congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here to sing Christmas songs wi...

So far in our wanderings, we have lived in countries that are primarily Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. Korea had many Buddhist temples and Buddhists as well. I have found out a few things about the human family that are encouraging and I wanted to share. Please note that this is based on my observations and my opinions alone. I am not a sociologist or a theologian, just a traveling observer with some time to think. First of all, I think the undercurrent of all of these religions is love. Love for family, love for God (in whatever form) and love for others. Of course there are extremists in all religions that don't practice this principle, but I have found that most people that I interact with are kind, loving and courteous. Case in point: after humoring us by allowing Landon to trick or treat around the hotel, some hotel staff came back the next day to drop off a pumpkin bag, candy, treats and another present. This is going way above and beyond anything that they would be...