Thursday, December 22, 2016

I am grateful for my family!

Ether 15:1-17

What caused Coriantumr to have a change of heart?  When have you experienced a change of heart?

GC: The Blessings of Worship by Bishop Dean M. Davies

"Sometimes our attendance at meetings and our service in the kingdom may lack the holy element of worship.  And without that, we are missing an imcomparable spiritual encounter with the infinite - one we are entitled to as children of a loving Heavenly Father."

James helped me finish wrapping presents this morning.  Here he is wrapping the guys flashlights.

I am so grateful for his help and that he didn't complain

that I was so far behind schedule.

He originally wanted to leave at 7 a.m. for a 10:30 meeting but it was obvious we were never going to make that.  We ended up leaving around 12:30.  We stopped in Show Low for gas and to wash the mud off our car.  Dennis called and ask if there was a time they could meet us in town to give us the cookies Denise always makes us for Christmas.  I ask if he could meet us at the Circle K across from the park in about 20 minutes.  He said yes.  We went to the valley with lots of Denise's special Rice Krispy with chocolate and peanut butter cookies.  Thank you Denise!

We went the Salt River way so we could stop at Burger House and get some burros.  It was raining so we had to watch for rocks on the road through the canyon.  Thank goodness they were all small.  At Burger House we ended up getting a dozen burros. We are two, took four to Brian and Kim and gave the rest to Cathi, Terry, Darrel, Trina, Sheri and Ian.  Jared and Kacey went through Miami and got their own.  

This evening we met the kids and grandkids at Lois's where they sang Christmas carols to her.

 13 out of 18 grandkids sang.  Jared, Dallin, Joe, Adam, and

Alex all had to work.

Everyone is looking somewhere else except Lois and Ruby.

After exchanging gifts with Lois and Dawn and them serving us refreshments, we left for Trina and Darrel's.  I think next year we will open gifts at this party if we stay in Vernon for Christmas.  We gave everyone their gifts but only got to see Jared and Kacey and Jared's kids open theirs.  This party was Stacy's idea because she wanted to do something while Jared and Kacey were here.  Those who wanted to shared a talent and then we shared Christmas memories.  

Joshua played Jingle Bells.

Rowan played his recital piece

and so did James.  Rowan was mesmerized by

James's playing.  He was really good.

Addy and Emmy sang a song about grandpa shooting an

elk.  Addy wrote the song.  It was funny.

I didn't get a picture, but Stacy sang "Silent Night."

It was beautiful.

It was a fun evening and everyone was there except Ian and the five boys who had to work.  Thank you to Darrel and Trina for hosting the party.  

We were exhausted when we got back to Cathi and Terry's and went straight to bed.