Had a Very Merry Christmas (back at the ranch)

The song "I"ll Be Home for Christmas" took on a new and special meaning this year as our adult children came to the Mission/Home for Christmas  

We then did indeed have a VERY "Merry Little Christmas" by......

putting ornaments on the tree

  Christmas shopping.....

  caroling....

Cooking

           Creating...(as in Alex taught us how to make Christmas tree's out of napkins)

Here they are "as in olden days...happy golden days of yore"

Faithful friends/family who are dear to us, they gather near to us once more

Through the years, we all will be together and if the fates allow

 But 'til then we'll have to muddle through somehow...

Yes we had ourselves a very Merry Christmas, made the Yuletide amazing!

Yuletide:

(yool-tahyd)

noun- the Christmas season
adjective- of or pertaining to the Christmas season

How we sure will miss them....when they're miles away!!

Christmas Missionary Devotional

For Christmas, we wanted to do something extra special for the missionaries, so we provided them with a Christmas Missionary Devotional.  We divided the mission into three parts/days, we served them lunch, (they even sang to us as a thank you-a very fun surprise!) watched a movie (How Rare a Possession) sang and performed Christmas musical numbers together and then had closing thoughts from President and Sister Ames.  We ended by presenting them with personal letters sent to them by their Parents, Stake Presidents and Bishops that the office has been collecting.  It was very moving to watch them read the letters and wipe tears away.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas and it seemed to take on a much personal and intimate meaning this year.  
TUESDAY, Dec. 17th

 

 

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THURSDAY, Jan. 12th

 

   

 

 

  

 

  

It was very inspiring to be with these missionaries and to watch them visit, mingle, laugh and bond with each other.  They were constantly looking for opportunities to serve and help, they were respectful and had great manners. Like the aprons say..."Life is Good...in the Texas Fort Worth Mission"!!  Though it was our gift to serve them, they are the ones that are and always will be a gift to us.