We are family

This is the poem I wrote to share for our family home evening lesson

We are family
Our lives are intertwined,
Brought together on the earth
as one in heart and mind.

Through life’s long journey
There will be trials and pain,
We will feel heart ache and sorrow
But, true knowledge must be gained.

We must cherish one another
Have the pure love of Christ,
As we serve and lift each other
Throughout our mortal live.

Watch over one another
With concerning heartfelt care
Your are so very important
Constantly in our daily prayers.

Comfort one another
When the journey is too much
Encircling all in loving arm
Giving strength from gentle touch.

Gaining instruction from family
Is something we all need,
Watching and observing the example
Helps to plant the eternal seed.

We are family
And our deepest heart’s desire,
Is to sit down in heaven together
United in love through Priesthood power.

Christmas Reunion

What an amazing Christmas celebration we had this year. My daughter, son in law, and family opened up their home in Colorado for us. We had our first ever Christmas with all of our children, 14 adults, 20 grandchildren and 5 dogs. We started arriving on the 20th and the last family to go left on the 28th. So we had eight wonderful days of celebration. My son’s family from Las Vegas was the last to arrive (Tuesday the 23rd). Not because they planned it that way but because of weather. There were many obstacles that tried to keep us from going, isn’t that always the truth, when something is so important Satin tries so hard to stop it. We have memories that we will treasure forever. Cousins that hadn’t seen each other in several years and none of them wanted to leave when the time came.
We had a talent show that was amazing. I didn’t know my family had such great talent. Santa came one night with gifts for everyone. We had a white elephant exchange that was a lot of fun, some crazy gifts. We had a delicious Christmas dinner of turkey, ham and all the trimmings. We had a family home evening lesson on our family motto: ““We must cherish one another, comfort one another, watch over one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.” The Spirit was so strong as we shared our thought and feelings.
Nothing about our Christmas was traditional. Santa came Christmas morning with stockings brimming over and that was the limit of gifts from Santa. We spent the rest of the morning sharing gifts of the heart. . A quote to put on our wall, “Love at Home” (a childhood memory). Another saying on a glass brick, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” A special Christmas Ornament with Sly Family Reunion 2008 to always remember this time together. The picture of the Saviors hands with the quote from Isaiah 49:15, “See! I will not forget you… I have carved you on the palm of my hand”. Then we enjoyed a tradition from childhood with a wonderful Christmas brunch.
Games we played: pit, this is a spoon, apples to apples, Christmas bingo, a Christmas song game. We made nativity ornaments for our trees next year, candy necklaces. Everyone played rock band the whole time.
We have videos and pictures galore to help us remember this festive reunion. It will be remembered and treasured in our hearts forever.