Thanksgiving is a time for family, big or small. This year it was small, but still so wonderful. We were grateful that Crismon & Danielle could come and be with us for the holiday weekend. We have enjoyed our time together. They arrived late Wednesday afternoon and our trip to and from the airport to pick them up reflected the traffic jam of the busy Thanksgiving season with everyone hurrying to be with family far and near.
Danielle jumped in and helped me finish some apple pies. Vivi had come earlier that day to help me with preparations and we had so much fun visiting as we worked together. Thank you so much, Vivi. You saved me!
We also invited Elder & Sister Kimble from West Virginia who are serving as full-time missionaries in our stake to join us. They were thrilled to be invited. Sadly, they are rarely invited to dinner and so it was a special treat for them. They are wonderful, faithful people. They knew Annie (Grow) Linton's family as they are in the same stake and she knew Annie from Girl's Camp. We had a delightful time getting better acquainted with them.
After dinner we had Danielle perform some of her violin pieces that she is working on for upcoming competitions, along with some hymns and other favorites. What a treat to enjoy that "concert" in our home! She is exceptional. Danielle also played a beautiful arrangement of "Away in a Manager" for the last 5 minutes of our prelude music before our Sacrament Meeting today, (accompanied by Alice Lyle). I wish I could express the outpouring of the spirit that filled our chapel as she began to play. A perfect beginning to the Christmas season. Danielle's abilities coupled with her purity of spirit is a gift she gives through her music. We have loved having them with us this weekend.
Friday morning I braved one store with all the crowds for Black Friday shopping. Danielle and Crismon had good success at another store. We enjoyed attending the temple together that afternoon. The Caudle's had Crismon & Danielle to dinner that evening and Dad and I attended the GHS production of "Hello Dolly." We had three young people from our stake involved. The costuming and staging were incredible, excellent dancing and performing made it so fun.
Saturday Dad watched BYU beat Nevada, 28-23 at Jim & Denny Bowles home, Crismon & Danielle worked on homework and that evening we were able to get the living room decorated. I was worried how we'd do it without Emily, but fortunately she organized all of it so well when she packed it up last Christmas that it went smoothly, thanks to help from Danielle.
We had a fun "Google Hangout" with most of our family this afternoon and then the Caudle's joined us for dinner and FHE where we shared our testimonies. We love being with family.
Our thoughts are especially with Emily this week as she turns 21 on Thursday. Happy Birthday Emily! We love our faithful, sweet missionary daughter!
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