MERRY CHRISTMAS

It is a very different Christmas this year for us.  This is the first year away from our family for the holidays.  We have had some very wonderful experiences with our ward and the missionaries.  Brother Carr, as you may remember, is overseeing the building of the temple. He and Sister Carr sponsored a night of Christmas caroling for the stake and the missionaries.  We met at the temple visitor center which happens to be across the street east of the temple and south across the street from where we live.  It is a trailer in the lot where the construction is headquartered and where the new stake center is going to be built this coming year.  They are in the process now of clearing it out for the groundbreaking.

This is Brother and Sister Carr.  They are absolutely wonderful!

This is President and Sister Stephenson. He is a counselor in the mission presidency.  I just love being with her, she is like an instant best friend.

We divided into groups and some went south into the center of the city (about 2 or 3 blocks) and our group went to the senior living center which is across the street, west of our apartment building.  It is a very large building, about 30 floors.  We sang on 3 different floors.

Many people living here require a lot of assistance.  They seemed to enjoy the music.

Those on this floor were very excited and really got in the spirit of the occasion.

This is the floor where our friend, Brother Mike Galatola lives.  He is the one we give a ride to church every Sunday.  I was hoping to see him.

And he was there!  He is such a kind, sweet man. 

When we came into the room, this sweet lady just lit up and reached for me.  She said she had been looking for me!  I'm sure she had mistaken me for someone else, but I went and gave her a big hug and she kissed me.  She waved her arms and sang all through our singing.  What a sweetheart!

One of my favorite missionaries, Sister Bennett was our group's leader. (I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I see her and her companion the most.) She was signing Silent Night. 

After the caroling, we met back at the visitor center area.  You can see the temple across the street.  The tall building on the right is the senior living center where we went caroling.

We had a pretty good group of people come.  It was a pleasant night, wasn't too cold or windy.  We had hot chocolate and cookies.

Two sweet sister missionaries at the table with pamphlets and Books of Mormon.
Radiant, beautiful Sisters!

The elders directed traffic and gave directions.  Aren't they just the most awesome young Elders?!  

I love this picture!

This is Elder Olsen.  We went with him last week to teach on a split.  It was a great experience and he is an awesome missionary!

They showed the video "He Is The Gift" then President Peterson, the stake president, gave an inspiring message.

Sister Bennett and Sister Manson.  Just rays of sunshine!

It was a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas. Elder Syme and I have been trying to cope with bad colds the past week.  I'm glad we had this activity before we got sick. (Sorry about some of these pictures being blurry.  It was kind of dark and I was taking them with a delayed lens shot and I didn't hold still well enough sometimes.)

Not having a lot of the usual holiday preparations to do, I have had more time to focus and reflect on what this time of year means to me.

Of course this is the time of gifts.  And I have received the best gifts from the Savior.  

His greatest gift is the Atonement.  

Because of Him, there is nothing that cannot be healed or fixed.  

The next greatest gift is my family.  I love my family more than life itself. 

The third gift is the gift of His gospel.  I have a guideline for happiness.  I have answers to life's questions.

The fourth gift is love through His Spirit.  Through the Holy Ghost, He is my tender Tutor, my source of strength, my Instructor, my Friend.  I find peace through Him.  I love Him because He loves me.

At His birth, the angel proclaimed, Peace on Earth, and I think of the peace that would come to the earth if we would just live what He taught: love, kindness, forgiveness, humility, service, patience.

The birth of Christ is certainly a wonderful event to celebrate!  

The Son of God coming to earth to give His life for us!

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, fulfilling New Year.