Christmas Day Picture

Christmas Day call with Elder Hatch--the best part of the day was all four of us together via Skype :)
He's even wearing the tie we sent him for a Christmas present.

So Blessed

After being in a kind of a hazy funk the past few weeks, something happened tonight that shocked me right out of it--in a good way. A dear friend that I've known for too many years to count (because that would make us old) listened to an impression and generously gave me a gift that will literally change my life (and yes, I do mean literally).

I am amazed at her thoughtfulness and generosity and so grateful for her willingness to follow a prompting. Truly an angel to me today.

President Thomas S. Monson said, "We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children." Thank you for generously lifting me up today.

Yep, This Is Me Sometimes...

But then I try to remember this:

Pictures of Elder Hatch

I sure do love this missionary son of mine! He sent us a (surprise) Christmas package that we were instructed to open right away. It included this key chain to be used as an ornament for our tree. It's an elephant carved out of ebony.

Here are a couple recent pictures of him:

With his companion outside the government building to renew visas

Singing in a quartet at a Zone Meeting

Showing off his new elephant tie that was a Christmas present from the home stake of his mission president

He also says that it's a lot hotter to wear his one long-sleeved shirt, so he only does it for special occasions.
He calls this his James Bond look...

The Nativity (in stained glass)

click here: mormon.org Story of Christmas

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving was a pretty low-key affair this year around here. The best part was that we were having it with our good friends, the Wildes, at their house. The second best part was the beautiful weather! It was so pleasant. Sunny and fairly warm, I even wore sandals that day. We divided up food responsibilities for the dinner, and since it wasn't at my house, I didn't even have to clean the kitchen from my cooking :)

We had a pretty traditional turkey dinner with one exception--Aubrey had requested bratwurst to be added to the meal, since that's what he'd had for "Thanksgiving" while in Germany. So we had brats to go with our turkey. And since it was such a nice day, we even grilled them outside before taking them over.

I had asked Elder Hatch what they'd be having that day, beans? But he said no, they were going to a nice restaurant for a dinner of steak au poivre and frites. YUM! Lucky missionaries! The restaurant meals there are not too expensive (about $10 US for a complete steak dinner), so it was not a hardship for them. Elder & Sister Henrichsen sent a letter that described their Thanksgiving: "We ate with the two other senior couples down by the beach at a resort.  Very atypical for our Philippines area with so much poverty and bare necessities.  But we enjoyed our special day....no turkey or pumpkin pie....but we still ate "too much" and didn't feel a bit guilty!  As we drove out of the resort the sun was starting to go down and there was a rainbow in the clouds"

As I have reflected on my life during this season of gratitude, I have felt so blessed. I have wonderful kids who are doing good things. I have great friends who support me and love me. I have a home to shelter my family and me from the elements. I am in good health, as are my children. I am associated with so many missionaries throughout the world who are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have that same gospel to guide me in my life. I know that I have a Heavenly Father and Savior who love me. What more could I need or want?

Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving day:

It's like when she was little and would say "cheese" for the picture

I have goofy kids...

The tasty, tasty bratwurst

Part of the dinner spread--YUM!

See my sandals?

This one's going on the Christmas cards :)

Elder Hatch (yellow arrow) with all the Elders at the restaurant