First Christmas! He's not sure he wants to be awake. "What am I supposed to do with this anyway? I can't even see!"
They look shy, but they sang like angels. I'm not one bit biased.
Instead of having cake for my (Sis. Macdonald's) birthday, we went for ice cream at Prince Puckler's. This made everyone very happy.
Of course, we had to make a trip to the coast. It was cold and windy, but the waves were tremendous, putting on a great show for all of us. The girls loved it and had their pockets full of various "treasures" they had collected by the time we left.
We have returned our efforts to being mission president and wife full-time. During these last two weeks we were blessed to have all of our children and their families come visit us. They were not all here at the same time, so we made multiple trips to and from the airport, each trip filled with new anticipation, or sadness of the pending goodbyes. Although our life was a bit hectic at times with two to three families here at the same time, it was WELL worth it to see them all and to grow closer together as a family.
During the first week of this transfer, while most of our family was here, I took time to interview the missionaries in the Eugene zone. We had our granddaughters sing a few Christmas songs to them while they were gathered together for combined district meetings and interviews. I think our family, and the missionaries, enjoyed the interaction. Simple songs of rejoicing and praise (both spiritual and fun seasonal ones) can do much to lift our spirits and help us remember the time and season and why we are here doing this great work.
On January 1st and 2nd, just after the last of our family left, we went to Corvallis and Salem for interviews. It was good to be immediately busy, with a lot of catch-up work. This way we didn’t miss our family so much. There are almost 60 missionaries in these two zones so we had two very full & enjoyable days of studying with the missionaries and doing interviews.
During the time before interviews when we have “companionship study” with all of our missionaries in the zone, we asked each missionary to come prepared to share something from the last general conference talks. As the regular reader of this blog will know, I normally assign a specific chapter or two from the scriptures for them to read and to focus our discussion on. This wider base of the whole conference to choose from allowed for some very spiritual “walks” down different gospel centered topics that has been most enjoyable for all of us. I will, no doubt, repeat this in six months or so.
As we enter a new year, we pause for just a moment and thank God, and all those involved in this great work, for the success we have had this last year. We also renew our pledge and commitment to do all we can to build the Kingdom in this area in 2010. Our children pointed out at Christmas time, that we are now halfway through our mission. It is hard to believe that this life, which has become such a part of us, will one day end. We pray we can do all we should while we are here to move this great work forward.
During the first week of this transfer, while most of our family was here, I took time to interview the missionaries in the Eugene zone. We had our granddaughters sing a few Christmas songs to them while they were gathered together for combined district meetings and interviews. I think our family, and the missionaries, enjoyed the interaction. Simple songs of rejoicing and praise (both spiritual and fun seasonal ones) can do much to lift our spirits and help us remember the time and season and why we are here doing this great work.
On January 1st and 2nd, just after the last of our family left, we went to Corvallis and Salem for interviews. It was good to be immediately busy, with a lot of catch-up work. This way we didn’t miss our family so much. There are almost 60 missionaries in these two zones so we had two very full & enjoyable days of studying with the missionaries and doing interviews.
During the time before interviews when we have “companionship study” with all of our missionaries in the zone, we asked each missionary to come prepared to share something from the last general conference talks. As the regular reader of this blog will know, I normally assign a specific chapter or two from the scriptures for them to read and to focus our discussion on. This wider base of the whole conference to choose from allowed for some very spiritual “walks” down different gospel centered topics that has been most enjoyable for all of us. I will, no doubt, repeat this in six months or so.
As we enter a new year, we pause for just a moment and thank God, and all those involved in this great work, for the success we have had this last year. We also renew our pledge and commitment to do all we can to build the Kingdom in this area in 2010. Our children pointed out at Christmas time, that we are now halfway through our mission. It is hard to believe that this life, which has become such a part of us, will one day end. We pray we can do all we should while we are here to move this great work forward.
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