It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The Christmas season is now in full swing starting with the Jingle Bell Jog, a fun run that the whole base participated in.

 Of course no Jingle Bell Jog would be complete if it what not lead by that jolly old man and his friend, The Grinch.

There were all kinds of characters participating, which added to the festive spirit.  My favorite was Santa Rocky.

Geri and I got into the spirit, participating with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, where we volunteer.

This is a great organization that provides assistance to Navy and Marine Corps personnel in a variety of ways, including no-interest loans and grants in cases of emergency needs, an alternative to service personnel taking out high-interest loans,  They also have classes on "Budgeting for Baby", visiting nurses program, and lots of other good things.

After the run, there was a pizza and hoagie lunch for all the participants and a drawing for door prizes ranging from bicycles to a large screen TV.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Last Sunday we attended a special charity concert for UNICEF, which featured a bell choir, an amazing harpist, and our very own Sister Page on the violin.  It was really nice!

 On the Monday before Christmas we ventured out with some friends to Hiroshima where we enjoyed the Holiday lights on the Peace Park Avenue.  It was really nice; not exactly Christmas lights, but still very nice.

 There was a replica of the Peace Dome done in lights.  The Peace Dome is the remnants of an original building from the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima and is now a symbol of a desire for peace in the world.

Of course, nothing says "Merry Christmas" like the traditional Christmas dinosaur.

As you might imagine, there are literally thousands of single military and "geographical bachelors" who will spend Christmas alone here, helping to make sure that we are able to enjoy a secure Christmas at home.  Wednesday we helped prepare for the Christmas Cookie Drop with the American Red Cross and the NMCRS.  We baked over 3500 cookies of all types, to be delivered on Thursday to the various units around the base, targeting the singles.

If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, try baking 3500 cookies.  I thought everything smelled like Santa's workshop would smell.

 Many hands make lite the work!

 Thursday we celebrated our 49th anniversary by attending a Zone Conference in Uba (about a 2 hour drive away).  We received some great instruction from the Mission President and Sister Egan, and from the Assistants to the President and the Zone Leaders.  I am always amazed at the training we receive from the young Elders and Sisters.  They are so in tune with the Spirit.  We did find out that for reasons unknown to us, one of the Elders was not going to be receiving anything packages for Christmas.  We had the pleasure of going to the Exchange  and getting a few things for him and then shipped them overnight, so they will arrive on Christmas Eve.  The presents are coming to him from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

This picture was taken on Friday, about the exact moment, taking into consideration the International Date Line and the time zones, when we got married 49 years ago in Houston.

49 years ago my high school sweetheart and I were joined together and began a family that will last for time and all eternity.  It doesn't really feel like it has been that long, but in other ways, if feels like we have always been together.  She is the best thing that ever happened to me, and has been there through thick and thin, through the good times and the hard times.  We have disagreed about some things, but never the love that we share for each other.  She has followed me around the world and back, and I wouldn't have shared the journey with anyone else.  The journey has been amazing, and if I had to do it over again, I don't think I would do anything different, because the end result has been amazing.  Happy anniversary to the love of my life, the woman who has made my life complete.  I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with someone who has taught me so much, loved me through so much, and continues to bless me each day.

Make sure you keep Christ in your Christmas, the real reason for the season. 

Merry Christmas to my friends and family around the world. May the Lord bless you is our prayer now and throughout the New Year!