Week 10: Parties for Young and Not So Young

We began the week with a party and ended with a party. Can't beat that.  The mission Christmas Party for the young elders and sisters was on Tuesday. It was a small feat to set up the cultural hall to create a festive atmosphere for our 217 young missionaries.  Sister Weaver had some simple, but fun decorations and Santa hats for everyone. There were Christmas trees and lots of poinsettias (left over from the Festival of the Nativity). The stage was filled and flowing onto the floor with Christmas packages that had been sent to missionaries from their families.  It was all quite a sight. We all love being with the missionaries.

Sister Harwood and I were in charge of the lunch, but we had lots of help from the other Senior missionaries. Experience with organizing Ward Parties, Trek, and Young Women's Camp is coming in handy.

Festivities began at 9:30 a.m. and went until 4:00 p.m. They exchanged white elephant gifts, sang, watched a mission video, had lunch, performed skits, and sang some more.  It was quite lively and fun, but all ended on a spiritual note. I'll write more about that later.

The night was a little longer for Van as he got to deal with an accident after the party.  A car full of elders was rear-ended on the freeway on their way home.  They're all fine, but the car was totaled.  He had to take them back to their apartments which were about 90 miles away.

Blair Ewell and Elder Hadlock

The rest of the week was a little less stressful.  On Saturday, we made a trip to Gig Harbor to visit former Vernal resident Blake Ewell and his family.  They live in a beautiful area. Had a delightful visit with them.  Shared a Swiss & Mushroom burger at The Gourmet Burger Shop then returned to our apartment to prepare for another party!

The Senior Missionaries (about 34 of us) were invited to the mission home for a Christmas Party. Our group includes couples called as Military Relations, Member Leadership Support, Records Preservation, CES, Office, and Zions Camp missionaries.  There's much to do in building the kingdom.  An opportunity and place for everyone.

We enjoyed a nice dinner and then did a white elephant gift exchange.  What a riot.  I tried hard to get this stuffed (taxidermied) armadillo.  I wanted it badly, but couldn't seem to hang on to it.  Van had a chance to get it for me, too, but he passed up the opportunity.  He said he wasn't hauling "that thing" back to Vernal.   I really was sorely disappointed.

Elder Hughes and Elder Rogers

 

Enjoyed having missionaries over for dinner on Sunday. They are fine young men and good missionaries.  They got to be the first to sample the Peanut Butter Temptations -- one of our Christmas favorites.  I made over 10 dozen of these tasty goodies to take to the office Monday. Missionaries like to come in for a treat on their P-Day.

Now ... lest you think it's just always a party here ... Both parties ended on a special spiritual note. With the young missionaries we gathered in the chapel and finished reading The Book of Mormon together--Moroni 10.  Then missionaries were invited to share there feelings about The Book of Mormon and/or Jesus Christ.  President Weaver extended the same invitation to us at our Senior Party.  We were touched by the tender feelings that were shared.  We are especially touched when we stand shoulder to shoulder in a chapel (or mission home) full of missionaries and sing hymns of praise to our God.  We want to share one of the mission favorites by inviting you to view the mission blog:  http://thebeautifulwa-tac.blogspot.com/.  You'll hear the missionaries singing Amazing Grace.  The message of this song is more amazing than any party.