Best Christmas Ever!

It's hard to express the amazing feelings Terri and I felt as we spend the vast majority of Christmas with our missionaries.  We had 115 of our children under one roof for a great day of Christmas celebration.

But first, last week, one set of elders ran out of interviews for an appointment before we could get their pictures so we got one for their families.

We started the day decorating. Sister Turner  wanted this to be a memorable experience in every sense.  The lights, the stars, the ribbons, the snowmen and trees.  It was amazing.  We hope you'll notice them as you view each of the pictures below.

We spent the first hour plus a little bit just talking about their being foreordained to come to this mission at this time because of their faith and diligence in the pre-mortal existence.  We talked about the fact that we all have weaknesses, but we still have enough strengths to make a powerful contribution.  We watched the video "The Butterfly Circus" and allowed them time to contemplate their worth and what they can contribute.  We encourage you to ask your missionary what they thought of the experience and to go on to YouTube and watch it yourself.  Here are a few pictures of us for the spiritual feast of the day.

We had a bit of lunch and mingling before the games began. The office elders and sisters serving in our area together with Sister Turner had much for them to keep busy and laughing.  It was a great Christmas afternoon!  You know Dasher and Dancer et al, but do you recognize the most famous reindeer of all?

 The beginning of the relay race.  Each zone had to send two representatives to eat a Chokopie, then whistle, one to drink a Sprite, whistle, move an Oreo from their forehead to their mouth, and then wheelbarrow beginning to end.  It was a wild day.

 The judges had to be careful not to get a face full of food when the competitors whistled.

The championship team received Santa's crown and a picture for the blog.  That seems to be the most desired prize!

 Sister Turner and I know who the true winners were!

We had them act out the Nativity which was  a bit irreverent, so we had them all pause after it was over as the narrator read it again with out the characters on stage.  Made a huge impact.

We took pictures by zone, both serious and humorous.   It's their favorite thing to do.

 Suwon Zone

 Incheon Zone

 Anyang Zone

 Gyeonggi Zone

 Gangnam Zone

 Gangseo Zone

In the end, it  was about the birth of the Christ child we celebrated.  At the end of the day, we had a wonderful slide show with pictures of all the missionaries from the last six months.  Then, they surprised us with their own video clips of sharing their thanks and their love for Sister Turner and me.  To top it off, they sang the mission hymn, followed by two of Sister Turner's favorite numbers.  The first from Christmas "Angels We Have Heard on High", and "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul".

We were standing on the stage gazing upon everyone of our cherished children weeping great buckets of tears.  We felt the all encompassing love of the Savior and our missionaries as never before.  The final hugs and handshakes were the most tender we've had since we arrived.
We can't thank you enough for the young missionaries you send as bright Beacons of Light to our mission.  We thank you for all your prayers and support.  We hope our missionaries share even a small portion of how they felt that day.  Our hope is that this was a wonderful Christmas which has created a memory they will forever cherish.  Until next time!  Happy New Year!