Christmas in Wales 2010

We decorated our home in Wales this week with Christmas decorations in preparation for our Christmas parties with our Institute group and the missionaries from our District. We played Christmas music and read Christmas stories and it helped fill the lonliness we are feeling for our families back home. I love Christmas time most of all because it reminds me of the love the Savior has for us and what kind of love we must have for others. I will try to be filled with that love more fully this next year!!!

Christmas with our District and the Young Adults

This past Thursday we were blessed to have the missionaries from our district at our home for a Christmas party and also later that evening the Young Single Adults that we teach in Institute. We had nice meals together and we gave them each a Christmas Stocking that Elder Crandall and I had put together for them. I am sorry to not have a picture of the young adults but you will see them in " The Night In Bethlehem" pictures which follow. We love both of these groups that we are privileged to work with.

Carmarthen Branch's "Night In Bethlehem"

As a culmination of our Carmarthen Branch's reading of the Book of Mormon this year, Elder Crandall and I organized "A Night In Bethlehem". The great Young Adults that we teach in Institute helped us put it on and we all had a great time. Here are pictures of the Manger Scene and of the cast and of the Young Adults who decorated the booths and staffed them. As you can see we also have Carmarthen Branch participants . It was a great evening together enjoying the true meaning of Christmas.

Great Characters at "Night In Bethlehem"

Here you see our Roman Soldier, Jared. Then there is Brother Stanley wearing an authentic Arabian costume. In the bottom picture is my very own special little angel, Martha. What a privilege it is for us to know and love her. She brings lots of happiness into our lives.

More of "Night in Bethlehem"

Here is one of our booths at "Night in Bethlehem" with Jess and Hayley taking charge and the other pictures are of branch members enjoying the food from the market place.

Fun Boothes at "Night in Bethlehem"

Here are a cozy James and Ashley at the "Meat and Dairy Booth". Next is the watering "Well " decorated by our fearless Young Adult Leader, Kevin. The children are surrounding the "Toy Dreidel Shop" with Adam in charge and Sister Harding, our wonderful Relief Society President is passing by the "Vegetable Market".

Some of the booths, wonderful young adults and branch members

Here are views of some more of the booths at Night in Bethlehem. The top left is "The Gift of the Magi" where Elder Crandall and I gave the ward families a Christmas Stocking filled with oranges, nuts, cookies and a couple of Christmas stories. Jennifer, Jessica and Rachel are enjoying each other here. The next Booth on the top was "The Pita Inn" with Charly Mace in the booth with Joseph and a very pregnant Mary visiting her. Kim and Chris are playing Joseph and Mary. On the bottom left are two of our Wise Men, Adam and Alex acting wise??? and our Rabbi, Jared trying to straighten them out. In the next booth are Mathilde and Camie at the "Jewish Bakery" serving our one and only Daniel Shambrook. Fun, fun times.