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New Traditions are Wonderful
One of my favorite sayings is from a Church Hymn that I've sung since I was a little girl.
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| Thanks Missy and Ryan for making the vinyl lettering! |
We wanted to incorporate this theme into our Christmas this
year.
Tom and I wrapped this "Scatter Sunshine" plate
and stand for
each of our
children's families and attached the following letter
with a $20 bill inside an envelope. We delivered the presents
about
a week before Christmas with instructions to "open
now".
It was so AWESOME! Everyone got involved and excited and worked together.
We had a wonderful Christmas Eve Dinner at Doni and Will's new home surrounded by our children, grandchildren, Mom and my sister Kat and her husband Ken. Those who weren't with us, The California Urbans and Barrs, Elder Taylor and Sister Rachel, were close in our hearts.
Vilayphone and Ryan
Julie and James
Missy and Ryan
Sarah, Mateo and Nick
Tom and Mom
Cindy and Mom
Will, Doni, Ally
Ally, Emi with Maya in her arms, Jesse and Cindy
New Pajamas for all the grandchildren, even the Big Ones!
After the kids opened the traditional PJ gifts and got
comfy,
we watched the original Luke II, which is always a Christmas
highlight for me.
Then each family shared their "Scatter Sunshine"
experiences with us.
I wish that I had
photos for each one. All were
"heartfelt" gifts of service.
This is the Forshee's Act of Kindness in Doni's words:
"Of all the great ideas that the kids came up with, Jesse's was chosen
(from a hat) and we had a wonderful experience passing out cookies and hot
chocolate today in Salt Lake. Sometimes it is hard to come out of your comfort
zone, but it is so very worth it. I'm certain WE got more out of it than the
dozens of people we were privileged to meet and serve.
Jesse wrote this: "And behold, I tell you these things
that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of
your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God" Mosiah 2:17 Today
was an experience I will never forget. There is truly no better way to gain
love than to serve. The love I feel right now is indescribable. My family and I
brought hot chocolate and cookies down to the people of Salt Lake that are in
need of help. I am overwhelmed by the response that we got from the people we
helped, and the gratitude that was plain on their faces. They helped show me
the true meaning of Christmas, and of charity, and of love. I am grateful for
the opportunity I had to help, even if it was just putting a smile on a few people’s
faces. Merry Christmas.
Tom came up with the idea of doing something to show our
gratitude
for the Firemen in
our community. So I got up early Christmas Eve,
baked 2 dozen
cinnamon rolls to share with them.
It was a great experience and they seemed genuinely happy
to be remembered and appreciated.
This New Tradition is a Keeper
Other Christmas Highlights of 2013
* A very special Christmas gift we received this year was a "night out"
with Ryan, Missy, Tana, Grace and Joe. Missy prepared a delicious dinner
and then we all went to the Hale Center Theater to see a
delightful rendition of "A Christmas Carol". "
It was a bitter cold, snowy, icy evening
but the warmth of being together was perfect!
(Sadly we didn't get any pictures.)
*Another Christmas event that was special to us was attending
the Herriman Stake Night of Music with the Cuellar Family.
Jeremy and Julie sang a beautiful duet of Silent Night.
This Mom was so happy to hear them sing again!
* Christmas Night we were invited to the Welker's home to talk
with
Elder Taylor for that long anticipated Mission phone call.
Oh what a wonderful 40 minutes of heaven it was to hear his
voice again
and to know that he
is happy and doing well in Guatemala!
Charleston Christmas Party with Mom
Tom fixing the bow on the wreath at Jim's grave
Annual Christmas Concerts at the Mall
Kat and Diana's Christmas Concert at the Charleston
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| Aunt Pauline was with us. |
The Family Tubing at Daniel Summit on Christmas Eve
(except Grama and Grampa)
Mo Tab Christmas Concert
We were blessed to be gifted tickets to this wonderful evening
with Mark and Annette Anderson
Lunch at La Jolla Grove with dear friends, Kathy and Richard Bartlett
Our hearts are full of gratitude for the love that surrounds
us, our family, our friends
and new people that we might not know today but will become
our friends tomorrow.
We are truly blessed.
There is sunshine in my soul today more glorious and bright,
Than glows in any earthly sky for Jesus is my Light!
2 1/2 Days and Counting
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