Angels don't eat Jell-o!

Dear Family and Friends,
For those that are reading this we want to thank you for being interested and faithful in checking in each week. When we came on our mission we thought our Christmas would be low key with minimum stress. This has not been the case. We have been kept very busy during December. These past few days leading up to Christmas have been very full. Because of this it is 9:40 Sunday night and I am just now having an opportunity to write a few thoughts in our blog.

We attended the International Branch for church today. I was asked to say the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting. After the opening hymn I walked forward to give the prayer. As I passed the Chorister's music stand it went crashing to the floor. This was a heavy stand which made a significant sound as it fell. Wouldn't you know today our Mission President was in attendance. His family visiting from the states was also sitting in the congregation. After fumbling with the stand and getting assistance from one of the young Elders to put it upright I proceeded to the podium to give the prayer.

Elder and Sister Henderson the Humanitarian Senior Couple sat beside Dale and I in church today. Sister Henderson had something interesting written in pencil in her hymn book. Next to the title of  hymn number 23  "Angels We Have Heard on High" someone had written,"Angels don't eat Jell-o".  All I could figure out was that perhaps someone thought the words in the chorus sounded like, "Gloo-o-o-o-o-oo-o-o-o-o-oo-o-o-o-o-oria in excelsis Je-ell-o".  I once was told by a choir director to sing "in egg shell-sis Deo. Who would have ever guessed this hymn was about food?

We finally snapped a picture of the Christmas lights outside of the South District building where our office is.

Our church handbook of instructions specifically instructs us not to decorate the outside of our buildings. Do you think anyone will notice? Shh.. The fence and outside trees are a twinkly wonderland too. I imagine when the maintenance crew turns in the bill for the decorations it will be under the category light bulbs.

Dale wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and

I told Santa ...well...its a secret so I can't tell you.

 We wish you happiness as you meet with family and friends this week. As you enjoy all the fun activities this season brings be sure to also remember the reason for the season. Along with your Christmas presents may you also feel His presence.

We love you.