A Christmas Thought or Two . . .

A Christmas thought or two . . .


 It's beginning to look A LOT like Christmas! 

 The family is starting to gather, the big day is just a few days away . . . And just like this year has been an UNUSUAL year in our lives . . . so promises to be THIS holiday season . . .

 We feel so BLESSED to have three of our four children join us at some time throughout the holidays. (and were very fortunate to enjoy a visit from Dustin in early November and wish THEM the merriest of holidays as they travel to South Carolina to celebrate!)

 KELSIE has arrived home and is our Christmas elf in helping with the final preparations!

 We look forward to the arrival of CORY, SARA and JONATHAN baby in 4 days - and can't wait to spend time with them. We are still busily getting their room ready, wrapping gifts, baking treats (OH WAIT! We haven't yet started the baking of treats . . .)

 KARIANNE, GREG and ADDI bear fly in on Christmas day - we are so excited for their arrival! It's amazing to see new found skills developing in the grandbabies, to hear their DELIGHT in visiting family, experiencing lights and colors and sounds of Christmas! So refreshing to us!

 We HAVE the gifts of Christmas, but our enjoyment of Christmas is all about experiencing family being reunited, our time together - We have a particular challenge this year as we actually try to fit in the OPENING of the gifts . . .

 Kelsie in a sudden change of plans, will be getting minor HEART surgery done on December 26th, bright and early in the morning. (Minor to the cardiologists involved, they say they do this almost everyday! But major to us - it's STILL heart surgery!) 

Our "hearts" fill with GRATITUDE this year for those who will make this possible so soon after they celebrate their holiday!



 I have a goal to send out

 "Happy New Year" 

 Christmas cards . . . as that way I may actually have some photos of family to include along with ALL (and there is much!) the NEWS of the year. We'll keep our fingers crossed . . .

 And all I can say at this point is Norm and I amongst many things . . . are BUSY studying our Spanish . . .

 I want to leave with a Christmas thought and TESTIMONY of the Savior . . .

 From the words of JAMES E. FAUST . . . this hymn means a lot to us and expresses our testimony that He lives! 

 They heard his voice, a voice so mild 

It pierced them through and made their souls to quake. 

They saw Him come, a man in white, 

The Savior, who had suffered for their sake.

They felt the wounds in hands and side, 

And each could testify: 

 This is the Christ! 

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God, 

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind. 

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls. 

Who ransomed us with love divine.

 I read His words, the words he prayed 

While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane. 

I feel His love, the price He paid

How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With Saints of old in joyful cry

I too can testify:

This is the Christ!

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls.

Who ransomed us with love divine . . .

Words: James E. Faust, b. 1920, and Jan Pinborough, b. 1954 Music: Michael Finlinson Moody, b. 1941 © 1995 James E. Faust, Jan Pinborough, and Michael Finlinson Moody. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use. 

3 Nephi 11:3–17 Luke 22:42, 44 

To all of yours . . .

Merry Christmas

We'll see you on the flip side :)