Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Well, Christmas was a little different for us this year, but we still had some highlights. :) If it weren't for Grandma's and a loving neighbor, the kids wouldn't have had any gifts, so we are deeply grateful for them. Our Christmas dinner ended up being chili and in a way it was nice to just lay back and not have to worry about getting together a big dinner. We missed our extended families terribly and wish we all didn't live so far apart.
I always find it interesting how the Lord is so much more a part of our lives and in our thoughts when we are humbled, struggling, or without all the frills and excess that we tend to expect and want for a holiday like this, or heck, just in general. Our Christmas season was so much more about giving. We had ingredients to bake and make candies, so we did a lot of that and all the kids participated and found joy in sharing the fruits of their labors with neighbors and friends. I enjoyed seeing how their eyes would light up and how excited they'd get to go share what they'd made with others. I was reminded of the great gift of our Savior by going to a fabulous Relief Society dinner that had pictures surrounding the room of Christ and the program consisted of songs sung by gifted singers and a video presentation showing scenes from Christ's life that was set to beautiful songs as well. How great a gift He was to us! How greatly must our Heavenly Father love each of His children! How blessed I am to have the gospel in my life. Watching as my children served others this Christmas and seeing how they were willing to sacrifice individual gifts and how they didn't complain about not getting a lot of gifts and were happy with the few gifts they got from Grandparents was really touching to me. Charity is truly the pure love of Christ.
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and love you all!