He is the Gift

Every year, LDS congregations (wards) throughout the world have a ward Christmas party.  It can take various forms and be in the evening or sometime during the day.  It can be more focused on Santa Claus or be more spiritual in nature.
I remember ward Christmas parties when I was a kid.  Santa Claus would always make an appearance and give each kid there a brown paper bag full of hard tack candy, nuts and an orange.  I was thrilled with that bag of goodies.  Somehow I don't think kids now would like that bag of treats very much. 
Since I serve at the Relief Society activities chair, I was asked to head up the ward Christmas party this year.  All of the auxiliaries helped, but someone needed to steer the ship and make assignments and that fell to me.  Our dear Bishop Loveless passed away a few weeks ago, so our ward is still hurting from that loss.  We invited the Loveless family as our special guests and wanted to make the party in remembrance of our Bishop who always said "life is good!"
Our theme was "Joy to the World! The symbols of Christmas."  We had a lovely breakfast of breakfast enchiladas, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit and dip, hot chocolate, OJ and milk. We had a Christmas pageant about the symbols of Christmas, and pinatas for the children at the end.  We also wrote letters to our many ward missionaries.  It was a fun time for all and it turned out great.  It was very well attended and everyone helped pitch in to make is a success!  Many people shared their gifts that Saturday morning. How will you share The Gift?
A certain wise man kind of stole the show.  Somehow his crown just didn't fit his large head.  Can you tell which one he is?

He is the Gift

Every year we attend the BYU Celebration of Christmas program.  Every year it is good, but this year it was exceptional.  Each of the BYU choirs perform as well as the BYU Philharmonic orchestra. I felt the spirit of Christmas so strongly that it brought me to tears.  It is such a power experience to see hundreds of these good kids sharing their talents and bring the Christmas spirit for all of us to enjoy.  They were sharing The Gift. After the concert, the Men's Chorus gave an encore out in the foyer of the HFAC.  Someone captured it on video and posted it to YouTube.  It will give you some idea of how wonderful it was! How will you share The Gift?

Here is a small glimpse of what we heard.





I love the lyrics:
Come, Lord Jesus

Come, Lord Jesus, to the manger; may we see they tender face?
Great creator, here a stranger, infant in this humble place.
Darkness scatter, morning swell: come dear Lord Immanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus to the manger.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

Come, Lord Jesus to the wounded
Broken heart and bended knee
Worthy lamp they love unbounded
Heal our souls to rest in peace.

Come in glory, truth proclaim
Come to us to rule and reign.
Ready us to knell and greet thee
Come, Lord Jesus come.

Come, Lord Jesus great Redeemer
Light of morning from the east.
We will be thy children ever
Dry our tears, all weeping cease.

Come in glory to, truth proclaim
Come to us to rule and reign
Ready us to knell and greet thee
Come, Lord Jesus come.

Come, Lord Jesus to the manger,
Come, Lord Jesus come.

If you want a copy of the music, it is available here.

He is the Gift

Thousands of people in our state come together every year to contribute their time and talents to raise money for the regional Primary Children's hospital in Salt Lake City at the annual Festival of Trees.  I haven't attended this event for years, but this year I wanted to go and take my friend Cydnee.  We had a fun afternoon looking at the thousands of trees of all sizes, as well as quilts, crafts, ginger bread houses and more that were donated by giving people.  It gave us great ideas for tree decorating and she later helped me decorate my tree!  The festival is such a great example of what can happen when many people come together for a common cause.  I'd love to participate another year and contribute to this worthy cause.  I marvel at how people shared their gifts. I took a bunch of pictures of FROZEN trees because I knew my little grand girls would love to see these pictures.  How will you share The Gift?

Cydnee is a Ute fan.  I am not.  It's a friendly rivalry.

He is the Gift

The first gift of Christmas was a simple gift given by a father to all his children, to us. He gave us His son, the Christ. He is the gift. This Christmas season, how will you share the gift? http://christmas.mormon.org

Thanksgiving in Arizona

Arizona in the winter

Visit to the new Phoenix, AZ LDS temple

We had a great time last week traveling to Arizona to be with our kids.  Andy and Chelsea went with us as far as Las Vegas.  We dropped them off with Chelsea's mother, but not before we had a wonderful evening with her mom Laura, her sister Audrey,  her grandfather Ralph and his wife Sandie and her aunt Andrea and uncle Scott.  They were such wonderful hosts and treated us to dinner and a night's stay in the fabulous M resort.  It was been fun to get to know them and to enjoy spending time with them in their home town.

The Polar Bear plunge is an annual event
 that everyone hates, but feels compelled to do.
Rick takes the first plunge.

The water is very cold by AZ standards.
 Lauren thinking it over.

Lauren and Jordan head in.

Jake

Rich

Run for the towels!

Two brave girls went in a second time.

Sauerkraut, our favorite side dish!

Delicious meal Jordan served us!

Christmas PJs for the month of December

Mesa AZ temple lights.  Amazing!

Visiting Chelsea's grandmother Betty
 and husband Ron and her family

Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

Afternoon hike among the cactus.

Giving Thanks for ALL our many blessings.

Jordan and Jake were such wonderful hosts and we enjoyed staying with them.  I was sick with a terrible cold two of the days and couldn't do much, but everyone else had a great time.  There was lots of football watched, food made, crafts, hike, movies, temples attended and a great time was had by all.  Each of us wrote five blessings on a paper and they came together to make the Thankful chain shown in the picture.  I'm so thankful for my family.  They are my everything!

Visiting Chelsea's grandparents Ralph and Sandie,
uncle Scott and aunt Andrea.

Thanks for Ralph and Sandie for putting us up one night in this beautiful resort!