Merry Christmas

My life has been touched by a series of  Miracles that have truly made this a Christmas I will never forget.  I could have been wretched!  I am far from home, and miss my home and family tremendously, but I have been more than compensated by a measure of Christmas Spirit that I didn't earn or deserve, but nonetheless am very grateful for.  A number of special events have contributed to this wonderful season.

The first was several weeks ago when I was invited to an annual Christmas program put on by a Special Mutual group that David has been attending.  I didn't want to go.  It was cold and snowy and I was tired from a long day at work.  All I wanted to do was snuggle up in bed and sleep.  But the excitement in David's face changed my mind.  He loves attending this group, and this program is the culmination of a lot of preparation by this group of special people.  The curtain opened on 30 people of all ages and many kinds of disabilities.  They sang Christmas songs, very badly, acted out the first Christmas, also without any skill or finesse, reciting their lines haltingly and sometimes unintelligibly.  But the Spirit there was as strong as if they were the tabernacle choir!  We, the audience, sat there with tears streaming down our faces as these seriously handicapped men and women bore testimony of the Son of God.  David was chosen to play the part of Joseph which he did proudly and well.  I couldn't have been touched more if he was performing at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

Another thing that has brought a great spirit to us is singing Christmas songs to and from work everyday.  We found a radio station that plays  nothing but carols and sang along with them during our commute.  David has a real affinity for Christmas songs, some of them moving him to tears.  His favorite is the little drummer boy.  I don't know why, but he loves it.  Our mission has an annual devotional and luncheon celebrating the season.  I thought David would be blown away by the food (a fabulous buffet of all you can eat delights), but the first song sung by the performing group was the little drummer boy.  David was weeping with joy the whole event, hardly noticing all the delicious food.  We also have had the joy of hearing performers who come to the library to sing during the season.  Many were groups from local high schools, some professionals, but all sweet and talented and sincere in their love of the Savior.

We attended the Festival of Trees, which is a fund raiser for the Primary Children's Hospital.  This year I was able to help my sister and her husband create a beautiful inlaid wood nativity which we donated to the cause.  It sold for more than a thousand dollars.  What is remarkable about this event, and I think what makes the spirit so strong there, is the combined efforts of so many people, none of them getting paid a cent, working together selflessly to make something wonderful happen  for sick little children who need medical care.  There were hundreds of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and Christmas decor, all of them bought for outrageous prices by people who just want to help.  Very cool event!  A blessing to all who participate in any way.

We attended a special exhibit at the art museum at BYU of artist Carl Blok's paintings and drawings and etchings.  What an incredible show.  I was familiar with many of these paintings, because they are popular illustrations of Christ and Biblical events.  But to see them up close and in person was something I will never forget.  It was clear to me that the artist knew Jesus Christ, and testified of Him and His divinity through his art.
Christmas Eve I went for a long and refreshing trail ride through the snow with my nephew Sam.  I'm sure he had better things to do, but we rode and talked about Christmas, and family and the Savior.  It was a special time that added to the sacredness of the season.

Later we spent Christmas eve with a lot of extended family.  My sister Diana and her children and grandchildren put on a lovely Christmas program and dinner for us.  David proudly did the pum pum pum pa pums as everyone sang the little drummer boy for him.  Very sweet.  My sister Lulu and her large family also included us in their very sweet traditions.  My mother, who recently lost her husband was having a hard time with Christmas, but because of so many sweet and spiritual events was able to rejoice in the love of our Savior Jesus Christ and the wonderful plan that puts the pain and hardships of mortal life into beautiful Eternal perspective. 


I share my testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that He was born of Mary, lived a perfect life and died so that we can all live again.  He lives!  I rejoice in this.  Merry Christmas to all.

Top 10 reasons to live with an elf

10. Elves love to decorate for Christmas. (less enthusiasm for putting it all away)

9. Non stop Christmas songs. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

8. You get invited to all the best Christmas parties

7. All that red and green breaks up the monotony of missionary black and brown.

6. Your bed gets made up magically while you are in the shower.

5. Even your horses dress for the season.

4. You fall asleep each night to the happy sounds of a Christmas movie, Elf, The Santa Clause (1,2 or 3), Jingle All the Way, Mr. Kruger's Christmas, etc.

3. Every day you are asked what you want for Christmas.

2. December is the shortest month of the year

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON TO LIVE WITH AN ELF IS:

1. Elves love to snuggle

Beauty is as beauty does

I recently posed for a snapshot with a group of my fellow missionaries in front of a beautifully decorated tree in the family history library. The photo was printed and passed around for us to see. I was shocked by the picture. Not because I had spinach in my teeth but because I, in my missionary flats, stood a head taller than all the others in the picture. How had I failed to notice how short all these people are?! I looked closer at the picture and saw such an ordinary bunch of people. These can't be the same people I work with! The people I work with are beautiful, radiant, brilliant (and even tall). It got me to thinking about what makes them beautiful. The picture confirmed to me that physically they don't stand out. It has to be their spirits. Here is a group of people who are united in their desire and commitment to serve, not only God, but each other and the rest of humanity. They seem to me to be completely without selfishness, competitiveness, greed, laziness or any of the other vices so common in the world. What's left is truly beautiful.

Last week David and I went to the festival of trees. This is a huge auditorium full of Christmas trees, wreaths, quilts and other Christmas items, lovingly crafted, decorated, accessorized, and then donated to the festival. They are then sold for outrageous sums and all the proceeds go to the Primary Children's Hospital here in Salt Lake City. I am told they raise over $5 million this way each year. Again, I was in awe of the beauty of these trees. I walked around looking at each one, sure that a Christmas tree had never been so lovely. David was also moved by the spectacle and insisted on buying a tree for our room. After returning home I couldn't help feeling that it had been an almost magical experience. Was it because the trees were really better than any I'd seen elsewhere? I think not. I think it was the combined, selfless efforts of so many people that made this a remarkable night. The love and commitment of so many people, the organizers, the craftsmen, the artists, the purchasers, all working to do something to make the world a better place, filled the event with the true Spirit of Christmas. If Christmas has become too commercial, then this was an event even Christ Himself would applaud.

So I'm learning to see things with my other eyes. The ones that see goodness, not just good looks. The ones that see joy, not just fun. The ones that see purpose beyond the day to day struggle for survival. Merry Christmas to all.