Merry Christmas to All Our Family and Friends!!!!

David, and Gavin Poulsen, Sam and James Mason, Boone Poulsen and little Rose Mason
is Mary. We were happy to share this sweet scene via google chat.

Another picture from our trip to the world's largest Christmas store, Bonner's Christmas Wonderland. While we were there I picked up a little brochure that had such a good message that I wanted to share it. "When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, the personal importance of His coming was emphasized. Luke 2:10-11 'And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' Have you ever thought that it was for you the Saviour was born? Do you realize that when God sent His Son into the world, He sent Him to become your Saviour?...Yes, it was for you that Jesus came. " .....(by Dr. Willard M. Aldrich)

This was our very first Christmas with just the two of us in the forty five years that we have been married. I would be lying if I said I wasn't lonely for my family, but we really did have a lovely day. We had more time to think about the true meaning of Christmas; I love Jesus Christ so much and am so grateful for His birth and His atoning sacrifice for all of us.

Craig and I had our own fondue party Christmas Eve and, because we are such creatures of habit, we had our own little program which was me sharing a Christmas thought and then Craig reading the Christmas story out of Luke. We then hooked up with the Clovis bunch and watched their Christmas Eve dinner and program via Google video chat. It was wonderful and we got to chat with some of our children and grandchildren, listen to Ian recite a scripture, Michael play the clarinet, James play the french horn, Gavin share his origami talents, Seth at the piano while he and Connor sang "O Holy Night", witness the annual live nativity scene, and all the other wonderful Christmas activities that were going on. We almost felt like we were there. Technology made being away from our family so much easier as we were able to see or talk to all of our children and it has been wonderful. We are also so grateful for all the cards and letters from friends and family.

Because most of the MSU students are gone during the break, we have been able to start getting prepared for next semester's classes. We are also cleaning out closets, and organizing the kitchen at the institute getting ready for a very busy next semester.