Christmas...Lollipops...Gratitude...

For me, this is one of the moments that I will remember when I think of Christmas 2012...
 

We were busy loading the empty pans from all of the pies and real mashed potatoes and gravy etc. into the car. We had just enjoyed a grand Christmas luncheon that Pres. and Sister Oliveira give for the missionaries! (It is always special when they visit Fogo). We had sent all of the missionaries home with enough yummy food for another dinner... and we were about to take a deep breath from the decorating, baking, and preparing. We were bent over the trunk of the car ready to go home and start the clean-up and dishes...when a few children gathered to see what was going on. I remembered some suckers that I had used for decor. The little group started with three then four then these six and in the end, they had run to gather their neighbors and I was glad to have just enough for the children that came out of no where! 

The smiles and gratitude on their faces made my Heart Celebrate! Truly these little people gave me the best gift of all. I will be more grateful. 

We are grateful for each of you...our parents, children, grandchildren, and friends, for the Gospel plan of Happiness forever...and for the Eternal blessing of the life and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we are celebrating!  He offers us a fulness of Life ...and more than we can even imagine... and the best part: Noone needs to be left out of that Joy, if we choose to keep our covenants and to love each other.  Every one can decide! I really love that!

We love you and wish you a Very Very Merry Christmas!!!

Our little Christmas tree has scriptures about Light (Truth) and Love...Seems to me, that those are the most important gifts we can receive and share... and for those I am grateful...And for Elder-Potato-Peeler-Man of course!!!