Time to come up for air

It's finally time to try and catch a breath. We had a houseful of Elders on Christmas day and it was interesting to watch them. You could tell they missed being with their families and they talked about them a lot. They were all looking forward to talking with loved ones at home yet a little nervous as well. At the end of the evening we spoke again with one of our Elders from Alaska who was not sure what to expect from the phone calls. (Missionaries from broken homes can have two calls, one from each parent)He was baptized two years ago and his family had "kicked him out" they did not approve of his choices and certainly not about his choice to serve a mission. He told me that his Father had left a message telling him that he was no longer angry at him. He also spoke to his step-father and he is actually softening and is starting to get interested in the church. This cute elder could not have received a better Christmas message. We were able to speak to some of our children and grandchildren and it was bitter sweet. Great to see and talk to them but sad that we can not be there with them.

Here in Europe a second Christmas day is celebrated so phase two came into play. We had invited Bro. and Sis. Oppermann to spend the day but Bro. Oppermann did not feel strong enough to leave the house so we took the meal and goodies over to their home. We had a marvelous day with them and did not want to leave. They are such a tremendous couple and a great example of service, dedication and sacrifice. They joined the church 50 years ago and raised a strong family. Their children live in the U.S. and Canada but call them regularly and they are comforted by knowing that they are happy and raising families of their own. They served two missions as a Senior couple, one in Belgium and another in Siberia. We watched the movie "Emma" (the story of Emma Hale Smith, the prophet Josephs wife) with them and of course we had to bring out the Kleenex. The movie is well done and we would recommend it highly. It corrects a lot of misjudgments about this Elect lady and it would be well worth your time.

We had our Christmas Sacrament meeting this morning a week late. The children in primary (all four of them) had prepared part of the program and we did not want them to miss out on presenting it. Thankfully we did not have to cancel church again this week. We had more visitors than regulars at church today because of family members wanting to support us all so it actually took two priesthood holders to pass the sacrament. We can not seem to have any event in the church without refreshments and today was no different. We all came home ready to lapse into a diabetic coma because of the goodies.