CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR - A TIME FOR MIRACLES

 It's Christmas time in Heber and all around the world. We love December, even with it's busyness and deadlines. It's a time to reflect on our Savior, not only His birth, but His life, His teachings, His miracles, His suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross, and His resurrection. Elder Holland reminded us, in a Temple Workers Fireside, that the babe in Bethlehem would not mean a thing without His Gethsemane and His Golgotha. Christmas time is a time to reflect on our Savior and His greatest of all gift to us, and then to measure our love for Him by reflecting on our thoughts and deeds. 

This December has been filled with times to think on Him and our own lives and what influence we have had on the world. We attended a community production of It's a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Broadcast. It was put on by the Timp Valley Players in the old Social hall here in Heber. The play took place at a radio broadcasting station in the 1940's.  We watched the story of It's a Wonderful Life played out through the voices of several actors at three microphones as if they were speaking to their radio audience.  It was fun to listen to the actors use several different voices as the took the part of different characters. The set was complete with a sound effect booth where we watched two players make all the sounds needed in the portrayal of the story. We left, having been thoroughly entertained, and thinking about what our lives have meant to the world.

Two days later, we attended a live Nativity scene complete with sheep, donkeys and a camel. It was held in the Events Center here in Heber and was put on by a local company, the owners of which live in our ward. We took our seats in the stands and watched the nativity scene play out through narration and song and live actors. It was beautifully done and a great reminded of the babe for which this Christmas celebration is all about. We love Heber and the small town feeling.

Mary and Joseph at the innkeepers

The Angels singing

The Wise men coming to see the babe

Of course, Christmas always includes putting up decorations. In our home, as in years passed, we are surrounded by Santas - on the shelves, on the tables, on the walls, and on the Christmas tree. We even purchased a large Santa and put him on our front porch to welcome all visitors. It took a couple of days but the inside and outside of our home were decorated by the first of the month. With our trim lights being changed to red and green and adding red and green spotlights shining up our pillars in the front, the house looked real festive. 

Before Christmas, we received two more Santas. When we were in Texas and at a Christmas store, I mentioned to Mindi that if I bought a Santa in San Antonio, it would have to be a totally Texas Santa. Guess what showed up in the mail a couple of weeks later. A Christmas present from Jon and Mindi which we were told to open right away. It was the most Texas Santa one could imagine. It immediately was placed on the hearth, front and center.

A week before Christmas, Deon and Gary came over to give us our Christmas presents. You guessed it...mine was another Santa. It also was placed on the hearth right next to the Texas Santa. I love Santas, obviously.

The Santa Deon gave us is the middle one.
The one with the rope is my Heber Santa to represent
all the cowboys who live here.

A favorite Santa meme.
Such and important message is depicted.

Our ward put on two parties in the first week of December - a Relief Society party and a ward dinner. The Relief Society event was a night depicting the women in Christ's life. It was beautifully done with six different sisters portraying women though costume and narration. It was a  lovely evening. We left knowing our Savior a little better and vowing to become His disciples.

The ward party was a dinner with singing and Santa. It was held at the Stake Center because our ward is too big to fit into the recreation hall of our building. The food was catered and was delicious - teriyaki chicken, rice, rolls and green salad. We enjoyed visiting with two couples who are relative new in our ward who sat at our table. There was a nativity scene at which we could dress up in costumes and get our picture taken. Four of us and the two missionaries were talked into doing that in order to let people see what the manager scene was all about. 

Notice Paul's tie belt is around his knees.
Not the best nativity picture ever taken.

Of course, Christmas always means making tea rings. This year was no exception. I started baking them in the first week of December and put them in the freezer until we were ready to deliver them. At that time, I frosted and wrapped them so they are extra fresh and yummy. This year, we  delivered 26 tea rings and 2 plates of cookies. It's a lot of work but a tradition we started when the children were little. 

The first 6 to be delivered

Another favorite, more recent, tradition is the Giving Machine. A few years ago, the Church began setting up these machines to allow people the opportunity to give to the needy around the world. They are in many large cities, including Salt Lake and Provo. This year we made a trip the University Mall, in Provo, to donate at the Giving Machine. We bought 3 chickens and meals for veterans. The church will distribute our gift to those in need. An easy, but effective, way to give at Christmas.

Christmas eve was quiet for us this year. Because most of our family joined us for Thanksgiving, it was just Paul and I for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I fixed us a wonderful prime rib dinner on Christmas Eve, after which, we watched a couple of movies, including It's a Wonderful Life. On Christmas Day, we had our traditional breakfast of eggs and a tea ring and then opened  presents from the children. Andrea was disappointed that her package didn't arrive until the Monday after Christmas. She had mailed it on the 9th of December with the expectation that it would be here on the 17th. As she tracked it, she noticed it sat in Seattle until about 3 days before Christmas, was then sent to Denver and not even delivered to Heber until the 24th. When I talked to the person at our post office, he said it didn't arrive in Heber until the 27th. That's the day it finally made it to our home. We were thrilled when it finally arrived as inside was a BYU tie for Paul, an instant pot cookbook for me, and an incredible statue of the first vision. Worth the wait.

We had a couple of opportunities to be with Todd and his family during the month. We went to Lehi to babysit Aria and Avery so Todd and Kailee and Lincoln could attend Todd's company's Christmas party. It was held at the Prove Country Club and was a big success so we were glad we could help out by babysitting. We took the girls to In 'n Out for dinner and Froyo for dessert. It was a fun evening spent with them.

About a week later, we met Todd and family at White Elegance to find a blessing outfit for Lincoln. Afterwards, we went back to In 'n Out for a quick lunch. 

That brings us to a wonderful event held the day after Christmas - Lincoln's blessing. We traveled on snowy roads, Sunday morning, so we could be a part of this special time. Most of Kailee's family had spent Christmas with them so this was the perfect Sunday to bless little Lincoln. Todd gave a beautiful blessing and, after pictures, the group returned to Todd and Kaillee's home for lunch.  We were glad we could safely maneuver the roads to be there. It was a wonderful day spent with family.

NOW FOR THE AMAZING MIRACLES........

On the Wednesday evening after Christmas, we received a call from Mindi who told us that Jon was in Houston and had had a grand mall seizure while at an appointment for his business. About an hour later, we received another call from Mindi to tell us that the scan of Jon's brain revealed a mass on the brain.  Of course, the first thing we thought about was our friend, Jon Seldon, who had a seizure caused by a brain tumor. He was dead within 6 months. We called our children and asked them to pray for Jon. It wasn't until about 1 in the morning that we got another call from Mindi. She had driven the 3 hours to Houston, found Jon at the hospital, and talked with the doctor regarding Jon's condition. 

*The doctor was kind enough to talk with us over the phone. He told us that the mass on Jon's brain was on the cover of the brain, not in the brain....Miracle #1. He said it had grown big enough to press inward on the brain, causing the seizure, and it had to come out. 

*Jon had been taken to the hospital in Houston that has the best neurology department and neuro surgeons in the United States. That he was in Houston and not in San Antonio for the appointment is Miracle #2. 

*Jon had just completed the 3 hours drive to Houston when the seizure hit. That it didn't happen while he was driving is Miracle #3. 

*The appointment Jon was at happened to be with a woman who had medical training and knew exactly what was happening when Jon went into the seizure and what to do for him.....Miracle #4.

*Jon's surgery was scheduled at 7:30 on Thursday morning, less than 8 hours after arriving at the hospital. When we asked the doctor how they could get Jon into surgery so quickly, he said it was because the surgeons generally didn't schedule surgeries between Christmas and New Years so they were free to operate at such last minute notice....Miracle #5.

*The surgeons were able to remove 98% of the tumor and it was benign....Miracle #6.

Jon will return for another scan in three month to make sure the remaining tumor hasn't grown. If it has they will zap it with one treatment of radiation and it will be gone. We feel that so many prayers were answered on Jon's behalf and that the Lord provided these miracles to preserve his life. Jon was home from the hospital by Saturday afternoon, sporting a unique haircut and massive scar but at least the tumor was gone and recovery would be complete.

A few hours after surgery

A reassuring photo taken in the hospital
to show us that Jon's was alert and even smiling

The massive scar and new hair style

Throughout this whole ordeal, the outpouring of love has been amazing. Jon's brothers and sister were in continual prayer on his behalf and called several times to check on his condition. Deon and Gary came by during the surgery to stay with Paul and I until we knew he was out of surgery and that the surgery had been successful. The owner of the company, for which Jon works, set up a GoFundMe account for Jon and Mindi. The donations began coming in right away and soon totaled over $30,000. The love and concern and prayers, as evidenced by the messages received on Facebook and to Jon and Mindi personally, have been comforting and uplifting to all of us. It has become obvious that Jon is an amazing person and is loved by many, many people. We are indebted to the Lord for miracles on Jon's behalf.

One other family note of much excitement is that our granddaughter, Maggie, got engaged. She has been dating Kasey Lightheart since high school. Kasey just returned from his mission in December and one week later asked Maggie to be his wife. They are darling together and so much in love. The wedding will be the third weekend in May. 

Now for a little humor.......

On a more serious note......