Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Meaning of Family

Here we are ready to begin a new adventure and so many thoughts.

We had our family Christmas party last night and it was as Heather said, "bitter sweet".  We had our traditional chicken soup and a birthday cake for all those with December birthdays including Kenny, Benson, Jenny, Joseph Smith and especially Jesus.  We also had a visit from Santa who didn't want to be seen so turned the honors over to grandpa who read a story and then handed out gifts.  We missed Micah, Sarah and their kids who were in Albuquerque with Sarah's family and also Codie who had to work.  The kids and adults were very generous in including those who were missing by "donating" gifts to them.  It is questionable however whether some of the gifts were really sacrifices.

Our last party before our mission was highlighted as usual by a video made by Jen which included the entire family.  She is getting better and better at this and it was a very fun and touching production.  Of course I could watch it again and again, a fact to which Ken can attest.  I really wanted to focus on the Savior this year and we had several nativities out as well as having ornaments that carried out this idea.  We had a family testimony meeting and it gave many a chance to express their feelings about past and coming events.  There were many tears and several heartfelt comments about various things.  I think it was a good, safe place for our family to express those feelings and hopefully after everyone has time to think them all over, there will be more understanding among us.  I have long believed the best way to deal with things is "head on".

After the party, Ken and I sat down for a "breather" and all we could talk about was how grateful we were to have such a wonderful family.  We feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in our lives.  Things are changing rapidly in our lives, marriages, babies born, graduations, mission calls and so on but we are all good as long as we stick together.  As Jenny put in the movie "No society is as precious as that of one's own family."  That quote is from Thomas Jefferson and expresses my thoughts exactly.  There in absolutely nothing that is more important to Ken and I than our family.  No matter how many join us, that will always be true.  Each one is precious and important and we are forever grateful that they are ours.

Our mission call is due soon and circumstances may change but wherever we are, our family will be foremost in our thoughts and hearts because they are part of us along with the gospel we love and in our minds, it is all inseparable!


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