Since moving down to Florida, we are now part of a Branch (not a Ward). And it has been quite the change in an amazing way. And I'll do another post to talk about that later. But for now I just want to record some of the holiday celebrations we've had with the people in our little Branch.
Two Sundays ago, after our normal meetings, we all hung out, ate lunch, and then went to a nursing home to do some Christmas caroling. I can't remember ever doing this with our kids and so we were very thankful to have that experience with them. Before hand they made Christmas cards for the residence there, and daddy sat down to have a talk with them about what a nursing home was and how we were to act. It went well and I'm glad they were exposed to that.
Then last Saturday we had our Branch Christmas Party. I was in charge and we just did a hot chocolate bar with cookie exchange. We came in our cozy Christmas jammies and relaxed with our goodies while enjoying some holiday music, listening to the Christmas story, and a few other Christmas books.
And then Santa came!
And he left each of the kids with a special gift bag that had a letter from him inside. They received a teddy bear and was told that each time they hugged their new bear they were to remember the story that they heard that night (Bear Stays Up) and how Bear realized how the holidays are made special by the people we share it with. And they were given an orange and asked to remember the story they heard about Miss Rose (Christmas Oranges). And when they ate their orange they were to remember how we can feel when we give of ourselves and sacrifice for others. And Santa talked about how he loved his Savior and tried to emulate his qualities of charity, perfection, service, love, creation, and even being omniscient ;) Santa asked them to have faith in Jesus just as they do in him.
It was a good night...
Two Sundays ago, after our normal meetings, we all hung out, ate lunch, and then went to a nursing home to do some Christmas caroling. I can't remember ever doing this with our kids and so we were very thankful to have that experience with them. Before hand they made Christmas cards for the residence there, and daddy sat down to have a talk with them about what a nursing home was and how we were to act. It went well and I'm glad they were exposed to that.
Then last Saturday we had our Branch Christmas Party. I was in charge and we just did a hot chocolate bar with cookie exchange. We came in our cozy Christmas jammies and relaxed with our goodies while enjoying some holiday music, listening to the Christmas story, and a few other Christmas books.
And he left each of the kids with a special gift bag that had a letter from him inside. They received a teddy bear and was told that each time they hugged their new bear they were to remember the story that they heard that night (Bear Stays Up) and how Bear realized how the holidays are made special by the people we share it with. And they were given an orange and asked to remember the story they heard about Miss Rose (Christmas Oranges). And when they ate their orange they were to remember how we can feel when we give of ourselves and sacrifice for others. And Santa talked about how he loved his Savior and tried to emulate his qualities of charity, perfection, service, love, creation, and even being omniscient ;) Santa asked them to have faith in Jesus just as they do in him.
It was a good night...
3 comments:
As usual, you put on an awesome party it looks like. What fun bags for the kids. I LOVED the picture of santa walking in and Dylan (and Tyler, too, I think) pumping their arm and the look on their face. SO cute!!
Brynn was looking so tan and ... older to me. Holy cow.
Very heartwarming post, Keddy! I love how you're blooming where you've been planted. :)
Love the pics of the kids with Santa!
So many great activities! You sure know how to throw a party! Loved the gifts from Santa...so thoughtful! Brynn looked so big to me sitting on Santas lap! And I agree with moms comment about blooming where you have been planted! Merry Christmas!
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