Tuesday, December 24, 2013

          “But it’s December the 24th; and I am longing to be up North---I’m dreaming of a White, Christmas; just like the ones I used to know; where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear, sleigh bells in the snow.  I’m dreaming of a White Christmas; with every Christmas card I write.  May your days be Merry and bright; and may all your Christmases be white!”

          It was a great Christmas Eve day although very different—quiet and peaceful.  No scrambling to get cooking and cleaning finished, no moving furniture  to make room for lots and lots of chairs, no wrapping those last presents for games and exchanges, no making cheesecake or a last minute run to Broulim’s, no anticipating a house full of company, the family band, the family nativity, meatballs and pizza.  We have grand memories that warmed us and cheered us and hope you all did, too.

          The family who invited us for Christmas Eve picked us up about 6:00 p.m. and drove us to their house which is about 10 minutes away.  It was a little eerie to leave the compound in the dark; but we prayed for a peaceful evening while we stood in the parking lot waiting for them and listened to the fireworks (at least we hoped that those sounds were fireworks!).  They had a few relatives there as well and a family who are fairly new converts.  A missionary from Mexico stopped by and used their computer to Skype his family and had to do it right in the middle of the all the noise and confusion of lots of people on Christmas Eve.  He talked loud, though, and so did his family; and you could tell they were all so happy to be touching base and talking to each other.  It was awesome to see how happy they were and he was unaffected by the chaos. 

          The food was wonderful and everything was very casual.  We ate chicken baked in Italian dressing, rice, a potato dish, sauteed veggies, and baked and sweetened squash.  A huge piece of pork was cooking in the oven but wasn’t done yet.  The meal was informal and we ate first with the hosts.   Most of them were waiting for the pork.  I took part of our pumpkin sheet cake and the cookies for the kids to frost.  We loved the feeling in their home and they were so good to us.  It helps me that they speak English—especially Lupe.  “The Grinch” played in the background and the kids were in and out playing with balls and cars and “notebooks.”  The kids seemed to love their gifts and all in all it was a great evening.  They brought us back around 8:15 and then returned to spend the rest of the night eating and celebrating.

          I can still hear fireworks and assume we will hear them all night.  We miss you all and hope you each have a beautiful Christmas.  All our love to you!

           

Elder Reyes Skyping with his family in Mexico

Part of the "feast."

Our hosts--Angel and Lupe--with Glade

One of their friends on the left and Maloree--Lupe's daughter--on the right.

Like I said above--the "Grinch" was playing in the background, but no one was really watching--except for me.  It was all about nostalgia and memories of all my little kids, and big ones, and grand kids, watching this every year

Their home has a concrete patio area outside the front door that is enclosed by walls, bars, and gates.  It happens to be big enough to house their enclosed trampoline.
The children have a little room to play there with their balls and trucks.

The dad, Angel, is holding Darwin in the back and is standing next to Lupe.
Marloree and Moroni are in the front.

I couldn't decide which photo to use, so I just inserted both of them.:)

All of us together!!

Lupe's Christmas tree.