Hi, How are you in sunny Mexico? I hope you are warmer there than here, ha ha. We have had storms and freezing temperatures. I think the storms may be over for awhile, but the cold temperatures are going to stay :( Are you having a good December? Are you feeling the Christmas spirit? What have you been doing to preach the gospel these days? I just read about missionaries in Harlem where they all went out together and passed out hot chocolate and shined shoes. It became a big event; lots of people gathered, and the missionaries were able to preach the gospel. In New York, the missionaries and members got together and drew a huge sidewalk chalk mural of the plan of salvation in the middle of Union Square. Lots of people stopped to talk and learn. It was so successful that they decided to do it again. This time they drew Lehi's dream in Central Park, I think it was. Pretty cool, huh? I'm so glad that you are creative and that you know and love the people of Mexico so well. I am sure that you find interesting ways to talk to people.
I am still reading "Jesus The Christ," and I have also been reading the writings of some of the modern day prophets concerning Jesus Christ. It really puts me in the Christmas spirit and helps me to be more like Him. For family scripture reading this month we are reading from the 4 gospels. I went through the "Harmony of the Gospels" in the Bible Dictionary and picked out the most complete accounts of different events in Christ's life and then divided them up into segments of about 40 verses each. We read a segment every night that we can. We are also going to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional tonight. We are calling it a "Devotional Celebration" and eating snacks and (hopefully) trimming the tree. Monday we are having family home evening with the old folks at the rest home. I think that you are right, Matt, this will be one of the best Christmases we've ever had.
Thank you for sharing those words from a "very wise person." It took me awhile to figure out who that wise person was, ha ha. Ya, I really appreciate the reminder. Thanks for sharing the stories from President Monson! They left a firm picture in my mind, and inspired me to be like the shepherd who leads. I have noticed that my excitement and joy about the "real" work and other activities of the day inspires the kids to want to do those things more and virtual things less. I know that getting angry wasn't the best way to unify the family, but it helped, and I am back to my happy lovable self, ha ha.
I am so excited about the progress that Gregorio is making! We have seen the movie that you mentioned, and i love it. It is a very powerful witness of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. I am glad that he wants to share it with his friends. You are helping that young man make a true and lasting change for good.
Yesterday was a wonderful day. We had tickets to see Rick and his family perform the Nutcracker Suite near their house which, as you know, is about two hours away, but there was a big snow storm coming. Another sad thing was that Miriam wasn't going to be able to come because of school. I woke up in the morning, and the storm hadn't hit yet. I noticed that Miriam was home. The stinker hadn't gone to class. I asked her to come to with us even though we didn't have a ticket for her. I hoped and prayed that something would work out. As we were beginning to leave, we couldn't find the tickets. Dad and I said a prayer, and Dad. a little while later asked if they could be in the car, and I realized that maybe we put them in the glove box. Yep, they were there. What a blessing! I told Rick and Kelly that we were a ticket short, and they had another ticket which was another blessing. The last hour of the drive was stormy, but we got there safely and on time. I really loved the production, Matt. Rick's family did wonderfully well, and so did the rest of the performers. It was such a nice thing to do at Christmas time, and I think that we were very blessed to have it all work out.
After the Nutcracker, the snow was really falling down, but we made it out of the storm, got some food because we were starving, and went to a Christmas festival which was really fun. We also did some shopping. The driving was hard and stressful for Dad, but he did it willingly without complaint. He made sure we were all safe and sound before leaving again to work at the laundry (by that time it was about 8 pm). Dad is beginning to wonder if he is a workaholic, and I do to. Working at the laundry sure doesn't help, but Dad says we need the money he makes doing it.
Friday Dad and I went out to eat at a Mexican place that I used to love, but now I don't because they have modernized it and everything is really sweet. I can't stand sweet Mexican food, but most people around here love it. We also watched a really good movie on Netflix called "Under the Greenwood Tree." Despite not being able to figure out why it is named that, we really enjoyed it.
Everyone is doing pretty well. Miriam went to all three meetings today, which hasn't happened in awhile, so that is awesome. We read a conference talk that encouraged Sunday meeting attendance and I think that had something to do with it. She is really burned out these days because she works and goes to school so much. She won't tell me what she wants for Christmas! It is driving me crazy. She says I'm not allowed to get her anything. That is very sweet of her, but I'm going to get her something. I wish I knew what!
Thomas received a blessing last week, and is feeling better. He is going to begin working out with the wrestling team in the mornings again even though he is no longer on the team. I think we wants to do it in order to stay fit. He also may be trying out for a play. He finally gave me a Christmas list yesterday, but I'm not so sure he's very excited about anything he put on it.
Katrina is definitely trying out for the play tomorrow. The play is Emma, and I hope that she gets a part. She is not longer is taking piano lessons, but gets paid $2 every time she practices, and she is doing pretty good at it. Unlike her siblings, Katrina is never at a loss as to what she wants for Christmas. In fact, she is in danger of going over budget, ha ha. Right now she and Thomas are good naturedly teasing each other. Katrina just told Thomas that life is better for women because the rewards are better in the end, and he just replied that she wouldn't even be here without men. The whole thing started when Katrina objected to the way Thomas was dressed.
I got to see Jon at Costco for a sec on Monday when I was doing my monthly Costco shopping. He showed me some really cute snowmen that were on sale and also some beautiful decorative trees. I could only buy one, and bought the snowmen. Later that night, Jon came by and gave me the trees for a Christmas present. Isn't that sweet of him? They look beautiful up on the mantel.
Cassandra called last night, and it was fun to make Christmas plans with her. Emerson is doing turn over again, so they won't be seeing him much for awhile. We sent Lily an advent calendar with our pictures inside each door so that when she opens the doors, she not only gets a piece of chocolate but also gets to see a picture of one of us. Cassandra says she loves it, and gets very excited about the pictures. Isn't that sweet? I can't wait to see them.
Dad's truck has been in the shop for a long time, but he got it back on Thursday or Friday. The repair cost us $900. Right after that the emergency brake refused to stay down. He is beginning to wonder if it will nickle and dime him to death to keep it, so we talked about it and came up with how much more we are willing to spend on it before we get a new vehicle. Dad is more settled about things now that we have a plan. He decided he can put in a bolt and a hook or something to keep the parking break down. He sold a bunch of stuff the other day, so the car repair is paid for, thank goodness.
Work has been going well, and on Friday we went to see folk dancers from different countries perform at the university. It was a fun field trip. Besides that I have been doing my monthly inventory and shopping. No much more than that is going on right now, Matt. I love you very much. Thanks for reading my letters. I hope they are not too boring! I love you.
Love,
Mom
Thanks for the wonderful pictures. That is the biggest bag of Cheetos that I have ever seen!
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