You just want to embrace Christmas with open arms like these cute granddaughters, Daisy and Evelyn. If you could only hold on to that glorious day of love, excitement, tears and awe of the birth, life, and mission of our Savior. Gratefully, we have the Sacrament each week that reminds us why we are here and our mission to learn to love like He does.
One of the most wonderful events of the day was the hour or so we were able to Skype with Emily. Although we were separated by 8,000 miles there was no delay, the sound and picture were great! She loves being a missionary, and loves the wonderful people in Argentina she has been called to serve.
Several gifts of service to me were done by Julia & Austin the day before where they helped me prepare a double batch of scallop potatoes, and sweet potato pie. Then Meredith stepped in on Christmas day and took over the rest of the meal preparing the ham, fruit salad, and Vivi and Ondalynn helped with the other dishes. We certainly enjoyed a delicious Christmas Day feast where the sister missionaries joined us and then we presented them with two large Christmas stockings filled with surprises. I shed a few tears that week when I learned that our Christmas packages to Emily never arrived. I'm hoping for a miracle that someday they will.
With all the family together, Sydney had come prepared with costumes and an outline of the Nativity program. She is a super organizer and pulls together these events, even with a dress rehearsal beforehand in the basement.
Crismon gave me the "Vivienne" skirt from JunieBlake (cousin Rachel & Emma's line of clothing). I gave Crismon a printed, hardbound book of the blogs that I've been doing over the last 4 years. It was so exciting for me to see my work in a book! Julia also made Austin a book of their wedding.
We had many laughs and smiles as we watched Evelyn and Christian open their gifts. Children are the magic of Christmas.
The adults played a fun game of "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" that our friends, Joyce & Romeo Betita had brought by that day. We are always giving Klondike bars back and forth.
Our cup runneth over with joy.
1 comment:
Love spending Christmas with the family. You took some really good pictures of everyone. I especially love the ones with Daisy!
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