Christmas and Wedding!

We received some great pictures and wonderful reports about the children's Christmas program and the party on the last day of school.  We were very sad to have missed it, but with our own schedule here in the US we were not able to be a part of it.  In addition to the "Dance Master" Shaun Parry having prepared the children for the program, the Marriott folks from the Chennai Marriott, came and brought all the food for several hundred, and gifts for all the children.  It must have been a fabulous day, and a great send off for the children for the holidays.

We also have had an outstanding couple of weeks--a terrific visit with all our family, old fashioned Christmas Eve with our home-grown Nativity, (two year old Seth looking a bit large and old for the baby Jesus),  and a great Christmas where our focus was on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It was such a perfect celebration where Santa was almost left out of the equation.  (There were a few children that were still happy he hadn't completely departed.) The marriage of our Grandson, Alex Wilson to Christina Koelliker  followed the Christmas celebration.  The evening of December 26th we had a fun party for the bride and groom at our home with about 75 guests from Christina's family and ours in attendance.  It was a beautiful occasion, with good food, lots of laughter and a few tears from the parents.  Alex is our first grandchild to be married, and even the Grandparents (us) were a bit nostalgic thinking of how fast the past 23 years have gone.  He has been such a great example for the 17 siblings and cousins following, who have truly looked to him as their guide. Now we will share him with his lovely wife and her dear family.

On Saturday, the 27th, we all journeyed to San Diego to the beautiful Temple for the marriage. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that the marriage and sealing that takes place in the temples, is efficacious for all eternity as well as for this life. It is very sacred to us.  Alex and Christina had chosen, both by choice and by the way they have lived their lives, to be married there.  The sealing/wedding was performed by Ron, as he has received the power to perform this ordinance in the temples.  It was a great day for all of us.

The beautiful reception in the evening was the frosting on the cake!!  Food, flowers, music, bride and groom--all was perfect (including the red velvet cake!)  We felt so happy we could be home and a part of this very special family celebration.  The cute couple are off to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, for a short honeymoon before returning to cold, snowy Utah to continue their studies at BYU. 

We have loved having the Elizabeth and Bob Tempest family here for the entire holiday, and our son Matt and Natalie Hanson and their family, are now also with us for a week, after being delayed with a bad bout of the flu.  We feel very blessed to have the Andy and Katie Hanson family and Jenny and Chris Wilson family in residence here in Laguna. We are sad to leave them again, but they are excited for what we are doing.  They join us in wishing all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.  We will be back in India by January 13th, after a Rising Star Outreach Board Meeting in Washington D.C. and are looking forward to the continuing challenges.