4 More Sleeps

Dec. 21, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Time is really flying by this December. I can't believe that it's only 4 more sleeps until we get to talk with you and oh yeah, it's Christmas too. So I won't make this letter very long since we'll be talking.

We had our Christmas sacrament mtg today and it was mainly choir with 2 solos-Casey Hancuff and Mary Thompson. I saw the 8th ward coming in after us and they were carrying what seemed to be a boat load of different instruments for their program. But I thought to myself, simple is often times much more spiritual. We had a wonderful meeting. Alex and I were both in the choir and it was enjoyable as usual.

I subbed for Nikki's class today. She was very excited about it, but her teacher had asked me to do a craft project with them and dropped off the stuff to me. There were so many little pieces of things to glue and staple, it quickly became overwhelming. I had asked Kristina to come in with me to help and it was a good thing I did. We could have used about 4 more adults in there to help out. I much prefer giving a lesson.

It snowed virtually all day today. It's been very pretty to look at, but tomorrow when everyone goes back to work, it will be a mess. It's supposed to snow again tomorrow. Looks like it might be time to go hookey-bobbing!

I spent most the afternoon making cookies and putting together our cookie platters. We'll give them out tomorrow. I tried a couple new things ( as usual), some with success and some not so great. I even tried a variation of the gooey butter bars where you put chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut on top of the crust before you add the top batter. They are very rich and good.

Dad is working quite a bit these days since we are taking off after Christmas to go down to Utah for a visit. His next day off is Christmas. Kirk is also working a lot which is great. The big BSU bowl game is this Tues night so Blue and Orange sales are going great. BYU lost in their bowl game over the weekend.

We had a fun visit with Andrea the other night. She was leaving for the bowl game the next day-a long bus ride down to San Diego. Here's a picture with your loving brother-


Also here are the girls making gingerbread cookies (thanks to a little gift from Andrea to the girls).

How did transfers go? Were there a lot of missionaries on their way home? You're probably very busy. I hope you're able to stop for a moment and take in the season although being on a mission probably feels like the spirit of Christmas every day.

I'm trying to organize a Christmas day buffet for some of the neighbors. We'll see how it goes. I don't want it to be a stress for anyone, just fun and relaxing.

I hope all our packages have made their way to you by now. Can't wait to hear what you thought and what you ended up doing with everything. Kirk is going to help me translate a couple letters I'm sending off tomorrow to my Argentine friends, Maria Carranza Castro, Susana Paez and of course, Marcela Lucas.

Your stocking is hung on the chimney, the map of Cordoba is on our wall, your pictures are in every room. You're always in my thoughts and prayers. I love sharing a little bit of your mission with you through our letters. I'm so grateful for your mission president and his wife and for the members who love you and watch over you. It brings me peace. I am also grateful that you understand what this life is really all about and how each soul is important. May you see each person you meet as Heavenly Father sees them. That is what I always pray for.

Have a wonderful day and enjoy being on the Lord's errand.
I love you and can't wait to talk with you.
momxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxoo