LDS Short Story: A Christmas on the Other Side of Heaven: John H. Groberg (2004)

This short story is very well said.  John Groberg tells about Christmas when he was a missionary in Tonga.  It was the hot time of the year.  Gift giving was not possible as the residents were poor and did not have much to give.  Instead they would give acts of service.  He recounts how he and his companion were providing an act of service for a grandmother, who had grown tired and weary caring for a sick granddaughter.  The missionaries decided to give her some needed relief.   However as they cared for the child through the night, his companion in term gave Groberg a gift by letting him sleep through his turn of watching the child.
This story is a fine example of the true spirit of Christmas.

Wardle Family Newsletter 2015: Merry Christmas

Dianna's Creches and Christian Art

While at the Normans I took a few pictures of some of their art.  This is just a sample.  Some of it is very good.  Of course this is mostly creche exhibits at this time of year.

on their piano

In their credenza

Flight to Egypt in Living Room

Living Room Christmas tree

Also in living room, large set

In living room

Christmas Dinner at the Normans 2015

For Christmas dinner we went to the Normans.  They had all of their children home for Christmas.  This included Nicole and her boyfriend Nick.  They live in the Bay area.  Joshua and Chelsea who live in Logan.  Natalie and Charlie who live in Provo.  Heather and Anna are both still at home.  We just had us, Annie and Grandpa Scoresby.  It was very fun.  A choice between ham or turkey.
After dinner we had a good conversation with Mark and Grandpa Scoresby.  We talked mostly about your, younger missionaries and some of the problems church members have such as pornography and now marijuana where it is legal in some states.  Many of the others played games after dinner.  The conversation eventually drifted to wedding plans and what would be the best thing to do.   However I understand that we have a joint meeting with the Banks to finalize the actual plans.  However there were many ideas presented.  Annie and Caleb only joined the conversation towards the end.  There is a lot of advice flowing their way.  Much discussion about how these events are becoming too elaborate, including Christmas where way to much carbohydrates are distributed.  However with regards to the wedding, Mark probably had the best advice.  "You should only do what you want to do."  There are no prerequisites.

around the table< Grandpa Scoresby, Sheri and Tony, Anna Mark and Heather

Nicole and Nick

Charlie, Dianna and Natalie

Miranda

Joshua and Chelsea

Christmas Morning 2015

Christmas morning was fun.  We set out the stockings and gifts early Christmas, rather than staying up late the night before.  Even so we were up much earlier than Ton, who we finally had to wake up.  So it wasn't too terribly early of a day for us.  

Tony, who is really into Minecraft enjoyed his Minecraft toys and books.   He also got a pretty good collection of Legos.  However they weren't Minecraft but Ninjago.  We took turns unwrapping until one of use ran out of presents.  I probably had the most.  I bought myself lots of books and CDs and DEVDs.   Many were put into one big box and wrapped.  This also included some for Caleb.   I also have a new ping pong table in the garage waiting for me to clear and area and put it together.  That is a Saturday project.

 Caleb was a bit sick.  He coughed so much he gagged himself; however he seemed to recover as the day went on.  He visited Annie after breakfast and the exchanged presents.  He was given 40 pairs of socks.  he will never get through that many.

 Miranda had gone shopping and picked out lots of clothes for herself.  Mom had to content herself with the table the kids had made for her.  Grandpa Scoresby got his stocking, a new book he is already reading, new pajamas and new outfit.  It was a fun morning.  It ended quickly with breakfast.  Again Elder King and Elder Yuson joined us.  Sheri made her special cinnamon rolls punctuated with bacon, scrambled eggs and hash browns.

Church Movie Review: Joy to the World

"Joy to the World" is a film produced by the church which is very useful for giving to friends at Christmas time.  It features the Mormon tabernacle Choir and includes several narrators telling the story of Christ's birth in both Jerusalem as well as the New World.  It also shows scenes from the birth of Jesus.  The stable has many animals.  And Mary and Joseph look very lovingly at Baby Jesus.  The shepherds look so astonished.  They travel to Bethlehem to see the baby.
We also see Samuel on the wall from the Book of Mormon.  The story of the sign of a day and a night and a day without darkness.  The threat made to the people that they will be put to death by a certain day if the sign is not revealed.  Nephi's prayer and answer "Today come I into the World."
But this it not all this short film offers. We also see scenes from Jesus' life; his miracles and teaching the people.  Jesus' crucifixion is shown, as well as his resurrection.  And then a brief review of the prophets.  The darkness which entered the world through apostasy, and then finally the restoration, and new testimony of Jesus.
This movie is very well done.  I recommend it as a movie to share with your friends.  It gives a brief testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ.  It also invites people to learn more and tells them how they can do so.

Christmas Eve 2015

 Our Christmas Eve started with Sheri's delicious corn chowder.  It is really addictive and very delicious.  We had scones with it.

Miranda and Tony as Joseph and Mary, I as all the shepherds and the animals.  Caleb and the singles ward missionaries as the wise men, Sheri as the angel and Grandpa Scoresby as the narrator.

Missionaries shared a video with us.  The childhood of Jesus from Joseph's perspective.  They then asked what Jesus has done for us.  I said he health me.  Jesus heals.  He healed the sick and the lame.  He healed some by saying, "Your sins are forgiven you."  He brought some deceased persons back to life.   He healed the grief of his mother, by presented John as her son.  He healed us all everywhere, because he has gone under all things.  He has experienced all pain, all grief,  all sin.  Everything.  He has felt it, and paid the price for it.  He can heal me of all my wants and imperfections and needs.  That is what Jesus is to me, and that is what Jesus has done for me.

Elder King and Elder Yuson

We missed the driving around and looking at lights part.  Sheri had taken the family to Vasona Park in San Jose to see lights the night before, and we were ready for bed.

Christmas Creches 2015

This is a sample of the Christmas creches at our house.  This includes several different types.  Sheri says there are no new creches, but we still have quite a collection.  I do not think she put them all out.

Our first, Sara made this and gave it to us for a wedding gift.  Over the years the other pieces have broken.  I like Tony behind Mary and Joseph