Danny's Christmas in the MTC

Danny spent this Christmas in the Missionary Training center In Provo,Utah. He is studying and training to serve the People of Chile in South America for two years. What an amazing opportunity this is for him. I am so proud of him.
I guess he really is an Arizona boy entralled by his first real snowfall in years, as evidenced by this Christmas Card he sent us.


He is working and doing what needs to be done.
And doing it every morning all over again.



As I have said many a time before,"I am happy every minute of every day he is where he is."

copy of a letter

I have not really fell off the face of the earth. Long story short, Idaho for all after Christmas holidays, Rachel to ER in Utah for illness and dehydration (the beginning of a long road perhaps, due to a something from her third world mission?), Allison and Ian here for the first of the year for "second Christmas", then, and here is my secret topper, I spent a morning in the ER myself followed by a seriously drugged stupor (during which Danny called from the airport on his way to Chile). It turned out I had a Kidney stone to pass. I was told to take pain pills (plural), drink gallons of water, and do some walking if possible. I finally got my tree down yesterday. (9th)

Hello! V

Christmas Morning

Limbo

A kidney stone has put me in limbo.

We came home to snow

...just thought you'd be interested Mom.

I felt like including proof. It's quite beautiful actually.

What to do on a snow day besides throw out our crispy Christmas tree? Ian's at a scouting conference thing. At least our Direct TV works. I miss my crocheting!

We had a fabulous time in Phoenix, thank you. Can't wait til February!

January Sixth

Three Kings Day has come and gone.
The Twelfth day of Christmas too has flown.
Even boxing day is through.
Ian is packing his things to fly home to New York City.
I guess the Christmas season is officially over.
May it never be over in our hearts and hands.

I am not insulted by Hanukah.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !

...

anonymous from Karen Collins