It is the evening of Christmas, and the kids are all once again nestled in their beds, resting from the adventures of today! We have had a beautiful season, and I am so very grateful for the beautiful abundance we enjoy!!
Oh there are many jobs yet undone. There are projects that will not get completed, but when I focus on what really matters, then I see that the projects that are yet undone, maybe don't matter. Maybe they matter, but the timing of the world to say it must be done before the "big day," is so false, I refuse to give up. I will get them done, I will finish delivering beautiful gifts to my neighbors. I will deliver some plates of cookies to some, and I hope to even send out some cards with photos of my family to those I love hearing from. Tonight the house is a mess, every room, but we had a grand day! What matters? That the wrapping, bows and boxes be gone, but to have missed the hugs as we cuddled for a movie tonight, or the smiles and joy as we rode Green Valley loop this afternoon? No! I am not ashamed of my home, I am grateful beyond measure for the time we have spent together!
This year our Sr. team was not here for the actual Christmas day. We had them last year as we were SO blessed to all be together in the Holy Land. Our lives were all significantly altered in the course of that trip. We are each different than we were before, and for that we will always be eternally grateful to have Walked where He walked! What a blessing! So this year, we know and support very easily that they need time with their extended families! We have encouraged and supported their desires and wishes to be where they would like to have them! So, in anticipation of not having them today, or even the next several days, we wanted to have a special time in a shepherd's field. We ordered some falafel pitas for dinner, and chips :) for Stephen and we went out into the desert and gathered around a fire. Sam was put in charge of the fire, and he found a construction site and picked up a load of firewood. It was a beautiful evening together! The whole day was beautiful! That morning we were sponsoring a 5k called Run Run Reindeer in Ivins. So we all gathered there and ran that cute race. Then we set out for a treasure hunt together stopping for photos at Tuachan, a beautiful place where we recently (Monday) participated in the Live Nativity (such a beautiful night and opportunity!), caroling to Aunt Susan's door - she wasn't home - but we caroled anyway, took a video and sent it to her! :) Then we went out to Gunlock and found our canoes out there, and went for a paddle! It was a beautiful day!
Our treasure hunt end was at the Piano Gallery. For "Senior team" (Jed, Liesl and Chandler) this year, we bought them digital pianos. We love that they love music! We love that they are continuing their talents and desire to have beautiful music in their home! Chandler's wife, Haley teaches piano lessons. She has 18 (I believe) students to help support their family! What a beautiful talent! That is something she will be able to do wherever they live! She is teaching Sara, Jakob, Sophia, and Stephen in those 18. We are blessed by her talent!
Liesl has been accompanying musical numbers in her ward, but they have to go to the chapel to practice because she hasn't had a piano in her home to practice on! We are excited to share music with them!
This photo is of them in the music store, wondering why they are there! :) It was a fun treasure hunt and they were all totally surprised!
