Christmas Season

Dec. 6, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, it’s officially the Christmas season when we get to sing Christmas songs for every meeting at church. Love it! The house is looking very festive. I tried something new on the mantel, kind of a white Christmas look, so I’ll send a pic next week when it’s officially decorated. 

We had a fun weekend starting off with our ward Christmas party!!! Oh Kristina, you totally kept a great secret from us. We were just sitting there enjoying the party when they put a video up on the big screen and it said, testimonies from our missionaries around the world. Then one after the other, each missionary from our ward came up and bore testimony about what this season means to them, etc. We have over 16 missionaries out and I was dying. We watched each family as their son or daughter came up and we could see that they were so touched. I was practically shaking thinking that you might be up there and I was thinking how cruel it would be if they only showed some of the missionaries and not all. But they kept showing new ones and you weren’t there. I started getting nervous now. Then at the very end, you came up on the screen and of course, I started crying. It was so good to see you and standing there in front of the Oakland temple was gorgeous. You looked and sounded awesome!! Then to top it off, you were the only one who mentioned each of us by name and told us that you loved us. That meant so much and I looked over and Leah was really crying.

Fast forward to today at fast and testimony meeting. Bro. Cooley started it off by talking about how much those missionary videos meant and he doesn’t even have anyone out in the field. Then one by one, so many people got up, mostly men, who said the same thing. Then near the end of the meeting, Leah-who had been just sitting and doodling all meeting-turns to me and says, “I’m going up”.  I said, "at least wait until Bro.Williamson is done.” She said, “If I don’t stand up right now, I may never get up.” So I said, “Get up and go.” So she said, “Also I’m going up there barefoot.” haha I said, “Ok.”

So Leah bore her testimony and spoke about how much it meant to her to see you and hear and that you mentioned her by name. She had had a bad day at school earlier that day and was feeling depressed (I knew she was depressed that day and it was even hard for me to talk her into going to the ward party-so happy it worked out). She cried when talking about how much it means to her that you’re serving a mission and how happy that makes her feel even though she misses you. I, of course, was crying listening to all of this. Then to top it off, they sang the closing song after that and I had to give the closing prayer. I had to pull myself together. :) I sure love my daughters!!!

It was a good Sunday. Leah overall is feeling so much better. She has her down moments, but we talk openly about everything and it helps. It’s good to see her laugh and smile more.

Our ward missionaries came over tonight. Elder Hatch asked me to ask you if you know anyone here in Eagle that they might be able to contact.They don’t have very many people they’re teaching right now and I wish I had someone ready for them. I am becoming friends with our new neighbors across the street and I just love them. They have two college age kids, Alex and Kristin (it’s easy for me to remember their names. haha)They moved here from California and they found a church to go to right away, so I know they are faithful people which I love to see. It’s just a matter of timing though for me to bring things up. I told her, Carla, that we need to go to lunch. It’s fun having a potential friend right across the street.

How’s Camilo doing? is he dating anyone? If not, I think he needs to start dating.:)  This church is difficult for single men to stay active, so he needs to get out there or online or something. He seems very fun, nice, funny, so there should be a lot of women who will want to date him. That’s probably something someone in your ward should get on him about, not you. haha Are his children still on for their baptism? Can’t wait to hear it all.

Sarah is back from Canada now. Her dad is doing well. There were some ups and downs after the procedure, but he’s back home and doing well. They will let him rest and get all the swelling down for the next month, then they’ll turn on the machine they implanted in January and hopefully he’ll see some great things that will help him with his shaking. We face timed with Sarah and Addie tonight and that little Addie is just too cute!! Her hair is getting long, but only in the back, not on the sides or in the front. She has a great mullet going on. haha

I talked with Sean and Blair tonight. Sean has been super busy at his work getting the building built, etc. Blair is enjoying working at the zoo. They both got callings today-team teachers in the Primary. They don’t know the age group yet. Also, the family they have been visiting with the missionaries had a daughter get baptized yesterday. She asked Sean to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. 

I don’t have any updates on Alex and Savannah. Alex is finishing up his semester and then he only has one more til he graduates. I’m really hoping they come up to see us sometime during the holidays. We’re going to be such a small little family this year-just the four of us. The girls aren’t very happy about that, but we’ll try to plan some fun things to do.

Well, today would have been a wonderful day except right in the middle of it, Pres. Stafford called me and asked me to speak at Stake Conference in January.  I shouldn’t have answered the phone….now I have to think about that talk all through the holidays. Also I’ve got to get my talk ready for ward conferences that are coming up in January too. When it rains, it pours-with Stake callings.

I hope you are doing well and feeling our love all around you. I told our missionaries here that they are welcome to stop by our house any time especially during this season if they are feeling like they just want to be in a home with a family. I hope your ward family is doing the same for you. But more importantly, I hope you are finding people to share Christ’s love with. There are so many sad people particularly this time of year and I know the spirit will lead you to them if you ask. They may even be the elders and sisters right around you. Even just little notes of kindness can be the most powerful things. Always look outward and upward!

Love you always,

Mom xxoo

This is a picture I found and put it on our computer as a desktop picture. I just love it. Wise men still seek Him!!!