CHRISTMAS IN HONDURAS

We had a merry Christmas!  Our Christmas tree was, perhaps, the favorite tree we have ever had.  Every ornament was precious; every green bough was forged by love.  Beneath it were tokens of love.  There was some real thought and effort put-in to the gifts we received.  We received photos of the family, sweet little letters from the grandkids, written testimonies, fun reminders of the "good times" we had had with family over the years.  And, we received bounties for our...

... CHRISTMAS TABLE!

We received every one of our favorites - except my puffed cheese balls.  Nuts, Circus peanuts, chocolate, Boston Baked beans, Sweedish fish, M&Ms, Red Vines (of course!)... and even salami!  Someone even remembered that LaRae's favorite candy bar was a Zero.  It was so thoughtful!  It just wouldn't have been Christmas without this table.  Many long, lonely nights will be spent carefully rationing out these treats.  It means of course that we will gain weight, but luckily, we have a...

... SWIMMING POOL

It's winter here now, so the temperatures have cooled off to 85 degrees or so.  The water was nice and cool.  I am positive that it was the first time in my life that I have ever gone swimming on Christmas.

Our Christmas Eve was a joyous time.  We, along with a dozen other missionaries, met in the home of President and Sister Veirs.  They had prepared a feast of turkey and roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and all the other fixings.  We sat around the piano and sang every Christmas song I could think of to play.  It was awesome hearing those on the right singing "Silent night, holy night" at the same time those on the left sang, just as reverently, "Noche de luz, noche de paz."  The Christmas story was read both in English and Spanish and each shared a story or two about their favorite or most remembered Christmas.  This Christmas will certainly be remembered by us.

(Bottom row: Elder Rangel, Elder Garcia, Sister Francisco, Sister Flake, Sister Lopez.
Middle row: Elder Beaulieu, Elder Chen, Pres. Veirs, Sister Veirs, us, Sister Guzman and Sister Tollever
Top Row: Elder Partridge, Elder Mackay, Elder Cannon,

Because our internet service wasn't up and running yet we didn't get to skype with our children, but we did borrow President Veir's phone to quickly call them.  We would have loved to do more, but just hearing some of their voices made the day even more special. 

I want to share one story that touched me deeply.  Elder Jacob Partridge from Provo is one of our APs.  He is a tremendous Elder and such a great young man.  His story is very similar to so many. He didn't receive his Christmas packages until a couple of days after Christmas.  The mail system here is so difficult.  But, when he did receive them he was overjoyed.  He opened them right there in my financial clerk's office.  Three boxes!  As he opened them up he pulled out gift after gift that his parents had sent addressed to other missionaries.  These missionaries are some of the many who had come on their mission without any family support.  I would hear him say, "This one is for Elder Ampie.  Oh! Wow!  My mom is so awesome!"  Then he would pull another out and say, "Alright!  My mom remembered Elder Tavita!  Wow!  My mom is so awesome!"  Three boxes, and the vast majority was for others.  And he was thrilled!  I was so impressed.  Such unselfishness and maturity.  This army of young missionaries have discovered what Christmas is really all about.  We are so proud to be a part of them. 

(Elder Chen puts his arm on the shoulder of Elder Mackay.  Two nations joined in one cause.)

I truly doubt anyone had a better Christmas than did we.  We were surrounded by people that love us and are joined in a common cause.  We had little, but we had everything!  We were able to focus on family and upon our Savior.  We missed being home, but we were so content in the knowledge that we are doing exactly what we should be doing at this time in our lives.  Merry Christmas to all from beautiful San Pedro Sula, Honduras.