Sunday, December 21, 2014

Dear Family,

Our big day this week was Monday.  For Family Home Evening we went caroling to a retirement community.  It was run by a German Association.  Our group was 4 senior couples.  One couple, The Rusts are serious singers so things went very smoothly.  It felt very odd in short sleeve shirts singing Christmas carols.  The first house were friends of ours from the ward.  He wrote the book about living in Germany under Hitler and Stalin.  We told you about it in our last letter.  Back to caroling.  As we walked around the area many people came out of their homes to hear us sing.  Soon they were singing with us.  One lady even brought out homemade shortbread cookies.  They told us they had never had carolers come and sing to them.  It was a wonderful happy time.!!!!!!!

We went visiting teaching to Rosemary and John Body.  We always have such a delightful time with them.  They are in their late 70's.  We took them one of our homemade ornaments and shortbread cookies.  

Today (Sunday) we delivered a Christmas ornament, shortbread cookies and a Book of Mormon to our 3 neighbors for Christmas.  They all seemed a little surprised.  One family is a couple from India.  Very nice.  He put lights up all over our little area.  It is so fun.  Last night they had several Indian families come and visit. They were dancing, playing drums laughing etc.  We felt like we were in the movie the 100 Foot Journey.  The children were running around dressed up and having fun.  Our hope is that one of them will read the book.

Wednesday we went to the temple.  That is always a peaceful and very pleasant event.  We are really getting to know the ordinance workers.  They always hug and kiss us.

Thursday and Friday we came home from work, relaxed and watched Christmas movies.  We are so busy many days and nights that it is nice to be home and relax.
Went on a long walk on Friday.  It was glorious to get out and breathe fresh air.  We cleaned the house and the yard, did washing, and went to the store for groceries. It is light until 9pm.

Saturday we went to Chadstone Mall and to GAP.  We needed short sleeve shirts and tees. Our long sleeve shirts and sweaters are too heavy and hot.  The weather is supposed to be ARIZONA summer hot.  Not looking forward to that. It was 92 degrees today and we turned on the air conditioning.

This week will we will be working everyday but December 25.  Missions don't close for holidays except Christmas.  We are excited to Facetime on the 26th which is the 25th for all of you.  We will have pictures of our Christmas celebration and stories in our letter next week.

Our ward choir, Adrienne and I are both singing, did the Christmas Sacrament meeting.  The carols always touch our hearts and souls.  It makes it difficult to sing when the spirit is so strong.  The closing song was "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."  We are closing our short letter with the last two verses.  They are beautiful and so poignant.

        Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth he sleep;
        The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth good will to men.

        Still ringing, singing on it's way, the world revolved from night to day,
        A voice , a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth good will to men.


Love to you all and a very big MERRY CHRISTMAS

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