This year our family started a new tradition. We decided we would do the 12 Days of Christmas, with service projects and small acts of kindness. It was interesting when we started making our list in early December what our expectations were. Looking back, it was amazing how different, yet better, we were able to complete our goals. The following was our "12" things to do (well all we could come up with were 11): 1. Ding-dong ditch a needy person or friend
2. Take someone to see Christmas Lights
3. Take cookies to someone and sing a Christmas Song
4. Make a dinner basket to give to a needy person
5. Invite someone to our home for a meal and games.
6. Do a labor service for a friend or neighbor
7. Take dinner or snacks to the Church during tithing settlement
8. Visit with an elderly person for an evening
9. Make cookies cards and gifts to give to Fireman as a thank you
10. Help at Brother Chase's wearhouse
11. Read the Story of Christ's birth in the scriptures and sing Christmas Carols
Reality:
1. was completed, which was great fun
2. We were able to take my father and some neighbors to see the most amazing light display in Hampton, mostly hand built by the gentleman who owns the home- really you have to see it to believe it.
3. We were able to sing Christmas carols to a few of our neighbors who are retired.
4. We collected a bag of food to donate to the Boys and Girls club of America
5. We invited Marvin and Naomi, over for dinner and played Dominoes. This was long overdue so much fun! Thank you Marvin and Naomi for joining us!
6. We were able to help clean a friend's home while they were out of town.
7. The snacks went over well for tithing settlement, we should have checked the calander though and made sure we did it on of the long days of settlement, instead of the short ones.
8. After going to help carry in something for an older lady, she invited us in and after 3 hours of wonderful stories, companionship, ice cream, and kindness, withour even realizing it until we got home, this task was also completed. Thank you Lexi!
9. This one, I'm sad to say was not completed. We'll try again next year.
10. We went and helped for 2 hours at Brother Chases wearhouse. We sorted shoes, clothes, books, and linens. We enjoyed being able to help out such a wonderful cause!
11. Completed.
It was wonderful to give Noleigh and Hiram an opportunity to lookward outward instead of inward during Christmas this year. They were excited for Christmas, but were also excited to see what would come next. It gave all of us a chance to think of others this year, so in that regard: mission successful.
On Christmas Day, my father joined us for dinner and games. We had a wonderful time hanging out together. A couple of neighbors stopped by throughout the day, adding to the fun. That night we went and looked at Christmas lights and just enjoyed the excitement that only Christmas can bring.
Friday, we left for Roanoke. We made a pitt stop at Monticello, which was just a wonderful time. I'm so grateful for our Founding Fathers. I'm always amazed by them, their accomplishments, their learning, and their desire for freedom. I have been enjoying The Real Thomas Jefferson. It has been wonderful reading his biography and words.
We stayed at the Comfort Suites in Salem, which were by far one of the nicest places I've ever stayed (only beaten by the Marriott on Pennsylvania Ave.) We enjoyed swimming the next morning, a wonderful breakfast, and then off to go exploring around Roanaoke. We went up to Mill Mountain Park, where there is a zoon on the mountain top and walked around the Giant Roanoke Star. It was a really great time. The Star had a camera that connected to the web, so we called Dad to wave at him through the Starcam. That was a lot of fun. The kids got to run around and just enjoy being outside. Later, we went to Sarah's shower, and then headed off back to home. It was a very fun trip, and really topped off our Christmas season.
Yesterday, I had a surprise visitor, my good friend, Marla. Marla and I have known each other since 8th grade. She's in town to visit with family and came by yesterday with her nephew Julian. We had a wonderful afternoon. It was fun finding an older Christmas picture of them and see how much the kids had grown. Thanks Marla for thinking of us and coming by!
In looking back at this Christmas the following scripture comes to mind:Ecclesiastes 3:
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A atime to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
There have been two times in my life, that the Christmas season as covered almost all that these verses describe. Christmas this year has been joyful and sorrowful. A few years aga, my father, Noleigh, and I went to New York to visit with family that was there. It was a wonderful time, seeing relatives who I get to rarely visit with. One night the whole clan got together and went to a popular New York diner and just enjoyed each other's company. There was laughter and good food, and so much love. A week later, my cousin Arnold, who had joined us and who had always been special to me, passed away on Christmas Day. I felt so grateful to have taken the time to have joined my father in visiting with him when we did. It left me with more than just my childhood memories of him.
This year, one of my sweet Primary children, Marie, passed away. I had been able to sit with her mother the night she passed and just hold her hand. I hope that in some small way I was able to provide the comfort to her that she did for me. In thinking about Marie and her passing, it has made me truly grateful for Christmas and why Christmas is celebrated: because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the knowledge I have of the Plan of Salvation. I know that we will be with our loved ones again, that they are happy and whole, and with a loving Father in Heaven. This season is a reminder of the great gifts our Savior and Heavenly Father have given us. I am truly grateful, humbled and amazed at their love for each of us. This reminder has truly made this Christmas joyful and marvelous to me.
Marie Richard (1998-2008)
