A Christmas Eve Letter...

DEAR Missionary Grandparents,

Christmas was just NOT the same without you HERE.

Although you were sorely MISSED, we did our BEST

to celebrate the season (the way you would if you were here)

surrounded by food, fun and FAMILY.

Pre-dinner activities ENJOYED by all,

kids, parents & great grandparents alike.

The tables set to HOLD the entire family.

Everyone FIT quite nicely.

The food was DELICIOUS!

The family GATHERED for a Christmas Presentation.

Tonight it was evident, that the Christmas TRADITIONS

you have shared THROUGHOUT the years have touched

and planted in the HEARTS of your grandchildren.

Without any parental assistance, THEY re-created the Nativity Story.

You would have been PROUD of them. It was BEAUTIFUL.

THE CAST:

• Joseph - Thomas
• Mary - Abby
• Baby Jesus - Libby (who loved being in the manager)
• Donkey - Kelsie (who carried Mary on her back around the stage)
• Inn keepers - Jessie, Sydnee & Kate
• Stable animals - Riylee, Emilee & Luke
• Shepherd - Carter
• Angels - Sydnee, Kate & Jessie
• True Wise Men - Kelly, Paul & Brett (who gave Baby Jesus a football)
  
  

  

Joseph & Mary with baby Jesus in the manager.

The Nativity scene ended
with the CHILDREN singing "Silent Night".

Our very own ANGELIC Choir.

Thank you for the MEANINGFUL Christmas gifts, you so thoughtfully sent. We appreciate the time you spent choosing such MEANINGFUL tokens. They bore to us the STRENGTH and COMMITMENT of your shining TESTIMONIES during this Season of Celebration.


The rest of our evening was filled with general MERRIMENT and cousinship FUN, which included...


Racing Cars

Hanging Out!

DESSERT!!!

Lego-MANIA in the corner

TWISTER - always MORE fun with Uncle Paul

LOTS of Basketball

Puzzles AND Games

Coloring, paper airplanes & other crafts


and MORE dessert!!


Our clean up crew did a TERRIFIC job

So, although we significantly MISSED celebrating with you THIS year, we are GRATEFUL for the sacrifices and SERVICES you are RENDERING in Germany and throughout Europe. AND just think of the CELEBRATION we will have NEXT year, when YOU are in the CIRCLE of our arms, and not just our HEARTS.

Hugs & Kisses,

Your ETERNAL Family