Christmas Week

Ty put up Christmas lights this week!  We did the string lights streaming down like a star again.  He did it from the tree out front and it looks great.  I thought he wanted to do lots of Christmas lights so I asked him what else I needed to buy.  He did the Ty thing and about as succinct as can be done said "I'm done!"  That's all folks.  But we have some lights.  He did put up the triangle of colored lights we have had.  So we are festive, and early!

Skjelse came by Saturday and it was fun to have her and Jeff over.  She was a huge help in looking at NYC and where things are for us.  We plan on going for one night when we are at the time share in Pennsylvania.  It will be a weird Thanksgiving but we will do the traditional on Sunday after we are back.

I had a stake missionary fireside tonight and did the I'm a Mormon theme again in Middletown/Springboro.  The people did great.  Kaitlin Nall played the piano and she just got back a couple weeks ago from.... drum roll, ......Brazil!.  And Brailee did one of the talks and she leaves in a little over a week to Mexico MTC then Ecuador.   Caleb got his call this week, to Finland!  Your uncle Bryce would be proud.

I learned a great comment form President Porter of the Ohio Cincinnati mission.  The day you leave your comfort zone and start to do things that make you uncomfortable is the day you really start your mission.  Because that is when you begin to develop real faith and learn to rely upon the Savior.

I really enjoyed Priesthood meeting this week.  Bro. Spencer led the discussion and we had tons of comments.  It was a great spirit as we discussed the need to lead the way in coming back to Heavenly Father but ensuring we love everyone and accept them as children of God.  Steve, the new convert asked a good question about how we can judge so much when the scriptures say to judge not that ye be not judged.

How would you answer that?  The JST translation came out and that is really helpful.  Look it up!

Work is nutso for the next few weeks.  Lots of major meetings and annual reviews and yet there are accelerating things going on with the regular work.  I am not sure how to keep up.  But whenever things go wrong, I step up my prayers and the calm returns, the things fall into place better, and it turns out better than I could have done it myself.

Kieren, does this make you smile?!

I sent this to Gavin, but it makes me smile so much I thought I should send it to all of you.

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Enjoy the smile.  Look it up in the scriptures!  SMILE.  in 2 Nep I believe.  

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4