"We can learn a treasured lesson from the pen of Dickens and from the example of Christ. As we lift our eyes heavenward and then remember to look outward into the lives of others, as we remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive, we, during this Christmas season, will come to see a bright, particular star that will guide us to our precious opportunity.
Such was the experience of a Sunday School class some years ago when a wise teacher placed aside the manual one Sunday morning as Christmas approached. With her class members listening in, she telephoned me. I was serving then as the bishop of a large ward situated in the central part of Salt Lake City. The teacher inquired, “Are there any poor in your ward—people who need a sub for Santa?” She then described her own neighborhood as one of affluence and mentioned that she wanted her class to remember this particular Christmas. I responded that our members had the necessities of life but mentioned a family that would welcome a special experience—one that would also greatly benefit her young class members.
The family I had in mind had recently emigrated from war-torn Germany and had rented a humble, older home in our area. The children were new to America, and, while they were learning to speak our language, they were shy and reluctant to mingle with others. Their personal possessions were few; they had lost so much during the war.
In a private telephone conversation with the teacher, I suggested an appropriate evening when her class could accompany her to our ward meetinghouse and together we would journey to the home where the Mueller family lived. Again the teacher stated that she wanted her choice class to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I responded, “Could I suggest, then, that each child bring with him or her a gift that has a special meaning to the individual; a gift the person treasures and would rather keep for himself.”
Just four days before Christmas, the class journeyed to our ward. Several adults brought them in large, expensive automobiles. Such an array of wealth had never before graced the parking area. We then walked to the Mueller home, singing carols along the way. The laughter of the children and the hurried pace of their steps reflected the anticipation of Christmas.
It was at the Mueller home, however, that the frills of Christmas became the spirit of Christmas. I watched as one girl looked into the eyes of one of the Mueller children, a girl about her age, then tenderly handed her a beautiful doll she had received on her own birthday, a gift she herself loved. She anxiously told her newly found friend how to dress the doll and hold it ever so tenderly in cradled arms. I observed a normally rowdy boy take from his left hand his genuine leather baseball glove, which bore the replica signature of Joe DiMaggio, and place the glove on the left hand of a German-speaking boy who had never seen, far less worn, a baseball glove. He then explained how to catch the baseball in the special pocket of the glove, which he had hand prepared hour after hour with a particular oil. Such was the experience of each child with each gift.
As we left the Mueller home and walked back to the meetinghouse, not a word was spoken. One could hear the crunch of the newly fallen snow as young feet, guided by happy hearts, made the two-block journey. We entered the building, there to have donuts and apple cider. In the blessing that was asked upon the food, a beautiful girl, her voice choked with emotion, described the feelings of all as she prayed, 'Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the best Christmas we have ever had.' "
Thomas S. Monson, “In Search of the Christmas Spirit,” Ensign, Dec 1987, 3
Me and Trina went to the BSU vs. Fresno state game. One of my co workers has family seasons tickets and she asked if i want two of her tickets for the game. She just gave them to me which was so nice. So i took Trina. I went home from work and got all dressed in my bsu gear & warm clothes(layers). I still didn't have a coat than so i had to just take one in the closet i could find( don;t worry i now have a coat). It had been raining all day and the seats were in the upper section. We got there about an hour late. I had to go pick her up from work after i went home. Trina is one of my single friends its nice to have single friends you can find things in common w. But not saying that i don't love my married friends. I sure do!!! Actually my BFF Jennifer was at the same game and we were texting each other across the field, lol! She was on the other side from us. We were on Southeast side. I got some kettle corn( i Love Kettle corn and popcorn), and Hot cocoa as it was so cold. Lucky i brought blankets and Nicki gave me more blankets too. The game was a bore i will say as we blew them out of the water. But we has tons of fun that night. Thanks Nicki! But shame on me cause i was still sick when i went! Oh well! Only game i would have gotten to go to this year. Oops camera was on zoom.
Madi and Lilly(my two nieces, my sisters girls) sometimes spend the night on a sat night and we take them to church w us. This was Sunday evening. I got the girls to massage my feet. I had one rubbing lotion on one foot/massaging and the other doing the other foot. What the life, lol! they finally said we are tired can we stop, but we had plenty of giggles and laughs. And were taking pics too. I am crazy cause i let the girls play w my camera. And that is Becky the one w her tongue out. She is 15 and admits last night she is 5 when i called her that, lol! My other sis Gayle is in the last pic.
art.
e Monday night before Halloween. A lady that is in our ward does this annual Halloween party that she has had for the last 17yrs i guess. she basically invites everyone from the whole Eagle stake. She has super Hero's Parachute out of a plane(batman and Spider Man) And than after the plane flew back and forth dropping candy from the sky, and they say things don;t come out the sky besides rain and stuff, lol. Well i will tell you all those kids there went crazy. If you lost your children it wasn;t worth finding them till it was all over. She provides hot dogs, popcorn, hot cocoa, & water. There was dancing in the barn, little wood stoves and little fires threw out the property to snuggle around and keep warm. There was a haunted hay ride which i didn;t go do. A pirate treasure hunt, which I didn;t do either. Becky, my mom and I went to this and we also took 2 of Lisa kids. Cali and Brock. I took Brock to the haunted house and you had to walk threw a pasture to get to it but at least the path was lit w pumpkins. I got to see lots of people a grew up w from our ward or the area cause Eagle was so small back than everyone new everyone and so on from younger people to older ones. So i did lots of visiting and catching up.
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cided after we walked all the way up the hill, try walking up a hill in sand when you also slide and slip into the sand, we were so out of shape. The kids beat us up the hill in 2 secs. We decided that once we 
went down we weren't going up agian. Than we had 
lunch in the picnic area. There is a lake there too so later the kids playing in the sand by the lake. It was a nice day!
