Christmas and Stuff

Today is the Sunday after Christmas and life is finally settling down.  Life has been incredibly busy.  The day before Christmas was our "P" day, a day off,. We got everything ready for Christmas Eve.  Christmas Eve the big thing in our family.  Melody was kind enough to host our traditional events.  I picked up all the fixing for the Wassail, A hot spicy fruit drink.  We then went and started to make soup so we could get ready for the nightly events.  

For the the last 30+ years we have gone out on Christmas eve and caroled in the neighborhood. It has become a tradition not only for us but also for all of our old friends to whom we go every year, it is great fun.  Todd and his new wife Shelly was able to go with us.  He was not able to go for many years due to his former wife's illness.  Some of our friends are having issues with their health, so it was great to be able to share our love with them in song.

We then went to Melodies home for soup and then the Christmas Nativity, most of the family take part, with Shepherds, Wise Men, Angels, The Inn Keeper, and most of all Mary and Joseph.   Todd and Shelly were the stars as Mary and Joseph.  We then bear testimony of the Savior and exchange gifts.  

Christmas Day was really different for us as we are serving on Temple Square as Missionaries. We got up early to see what Santa brought.  Mom got her Diamond ring fixed with a ruby replacing the center diamond, it looks really good.  She also got a MP3 player.  The player has been a real hit as I loaded most of her favorite songs.  I am sure that she will have sores in her ears from over use.  

We then spent the rest of the day visiting with guests coming to see the beauty of the Square. We closed the venues at 6:00 P M and then went to serve Christmas Dinner the Sister Missionaries.  Elder Glad was a waiter and Sister Glad worked as kitchen help.  The evening was concluded by a Christmas Program of music, lots of choirs from the zones and elder 

Elders and Sisters.  Sister Glad was called upon to play eight song.  She was just great her talent is hard to hide. 

The lights have been on for all of the rest of the week with tonight, Sunday the 28 being the last night.

We had an interesting thing happen this last week.  One of our goals is to get guests to go on tours so they can hear the Sister Missionaries tell them about our Church and get referrals. most people want to just go on their own, so there is little chance to obtain referrals .  We were at the South Gate when a couple came in. I greeted them and asked if they wanted to take a free walk around tour with the Sister Missionaries.  They said no that there were not interested.  I then asked them if I could get them a map and explain the things to see on the Square.  The said no that they would be fine.  I told them to enjoy them selves, when Sister Glad's voice came from the Visitors Information Booth "Would you like to learn more about our Church".  

They said "Yes,  we are very intreased about your faith"  They wanted to have missionaries come to their home to teach them and bring them a Book of Mormon.  Things are not always the way we think they are.