A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.  The thrill just wasn't there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.

I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.

I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.

Our family prays more frequently.  My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?

Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence,  I'll miss his smile a ton.

For two years we will pray for him...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.  I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.

The stories and the lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.

I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year...

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter;  I think I finally understand.

Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.

It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.

My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.

Who knows the gift I willingly give,  The toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before, Greater love - there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me...

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;

Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say.

Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done,

My gift has taken years to make...

This year... I'm giving Christ my son.

Author unknown

Phone call from Elder Stoor

I got to talk to my missionary!! 

Elder Stoor called from the Salt Lake airport last night.  I was hoping, but not sure if they called home or not - we got a call from an 801 # last night & I raced to the phone.  He sounds wonderful!  He is just to excited to get out there and get going.  He was looking for a calling card in the airport when some man asked what he was doing - he said  - why don't you just use my cell phone.  How awesome is that - I will never know who you are, but thank you for helping this momma feel better.    I even spoke to his companion for a minute.  I told him that his mom is my hero - I can't imagine sending two kids into the mission home on the same day.  

Megan came running out of her room 20 minutes later & Seth had called again - he bought the calling card after going through security.  I can't tell you how good he sounded - just excited and ready to go.  He is traveling with a group of 11 or 12 Elders and 2 Sisters.  They flew out of Salt Lake at 12:55 am - landed in Atlanta around 6:30 am - then on to DC around 9:00 am.  

Before I could even finish this blog - I got another phone call at work!  No, not from Elder Stoor this time, but from President Matsumori.  It was wonderful  - he seems like an awesome man.  Called just to tell me that my son had made it.  They have spent some time at the temple grounds in DC - said the missionaries spend a little time alone in the wooded area of the grounds (he called it their own sacred grove) to make their personal commitment to the Lord for the next 2 years.  He said that they then feed them at IHOP - comment that my son made me proud.  Seth must have been good and hungry :)  They were back at the mission home & getting ready to take a nap.    President Matsumori asked if we knew about the mission blog & promised pictures up by the end of the week.  He thanks us as parents for preparing our son for this mission and said that he could tell Elder Stoor is a remarkable young man and ready for the work.  He said they don't take it easy on them and would put them right to good use.  I told him Seth is happiest when he is busy & he said that would not be a problem.    I thanked him for calling and asked him to take good care of my son.  Wow, the tears are already flowing - I thought this would get easier!

I'm so grateful for the calls & I know that we are being blessed already!

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Fall Cheering

With Seth on his way, I need to spend a little time catching up the old blog.  Any extra time during the fall was spent at the football field and in the gym for volleyball.  This whole cheer team thing is all consuming when it comes to scheduling.  Megan is captain of  the J.V. cheer team at SSHS this year and having a great time with it.  It is fairly hard to get good pix of cheerleaders - they are either posing or moving too fast for me, so this is what you get:

Football game - the helicopter brought the game ball & the girls spent hours making signs!

Halftime dance

Homecoming Parade

Hi Megi!

volleyball!!

Football again - Megan loves the stunting! (she is the base on the left)

Our own little pep band member - go Shelby!

Cancer awareness night at the volleyball game!

It was pretty busy following the volleyball team & Friday night football games during my harvest at the elevator, but we survived.  Now it's time for wrestling & girls and boys basketball.  All that while the cheer team gets ready for their own competition - Whew, I'm tired just thinking about it!  Oh, ya, Megan just tried out for the musical too :)

Emmaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

I just love this little girl - she just makes me smile even with all the stress we have had lately.  Isn't she the cutest!

Emma

Mara - see what I learned?

This is my little neighbor Emma.  As you can tell, I think she is pretty awesome - we kind of like her mom & dad & brother too, but she stole the show Sunday night when we got together for the Christmas Devotional.  She just makes me smile!

mission post

New post on Seth's mission blog:

www.elderstoor.blogspot.com

Every goodbye makes the next hello closer!