It's been three weeks since we last added to our blog. After the last writing we had two wonderful days with Elder Gay, Elder Sitati and Tim Sloan who went through an operational review with our Self-Reliance management team in Frankfurt. This also included participation with our DTA and Area Presidency. After helping them get to the airport on Wednesday, December 9, we also left Frankfurt on Thursday to return to Utah for the remainder of the year.
We arrived in Utah on the evening of December 10 and immediately had a spinal block for Debbie the next day. This was her last test. Once we had a few follow-up appointments we learned that there was no sign of Multiple Sclerosis in the spinal tap, which is wonderful news! There is a small hole in her heart, which may have caused some of her problems, but that is common and can be treated with a daily minimal dose of aspirin. She has also had good enough success urinating with the medication that she is receiving, that the urologist has suggested that she only needs intermittent cauterization. So overall, very good news for Debbie's health. We should be able to serve our mission without major difficulties as long as we keep on the correct medications!
On December 11, we took many adult family members to "The Forgotten Carols" performance. This has been one of our family traditions for many years with different children. This time we had 19 of our family together at the same performance and of course it was once again a wonderful experience.
The next Wednesday, December 16, we were able to enjoy a retirement celebration for my 36 years of employment with Church organizations. Wonderful gifts were given, but even more importantly, I was able to meet up with bosses and colleagues from most of those years. That included a visit from John W. Creer, the President of Farm Management Company during the 10 years that I worked there and Elder Ulisses Soares, who was my boss for most of the time that I worked in Brazil. We were also pleased to have Elder John Carmack and Elder Richard Cook with us. They were my bosses during 10 years with the Perpetual Education Fund. The celebration included messages and gifts from Mike Murray and Elder Robert C. Gay, who have been my bosses during the past three and a half years. These were my primary bosses during my career, but I was so pleased to see other work colleagues from each of the companies and organizations that I worked with during the past 36 years. The words that were shared were very kind and the gifts were unique and memorable. I have been so blessed to associate with such wonderful people during all of these years and to receive a good salary while spending most of my waking hours helping to build the Kingdom of God on the earth.
Special Gifts included:
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| Retirement Clock from the Church |
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| Mike Murray gave me this jersey from my favorite Baseball Team |
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| With my name and 36 for my years of service |
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| A special bronzed 3 legged stool, one of the early symbols of the Self-Reliance Initiative |
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| Signed letter from the First Presidency and a special frame of many of my business cards, presented by my wife, Debbie |
The following weekend we had a few unique family Christmas parties. On Saturday we had our annual party with the posterity of my mother, including a special guest.
On Sunday, December 20, we met with our own posterity in our condominium clubhouse. We had seating for nearly 50 and did not have very many empty seats. We love our children and our grandchildren. As we spend more time with them, we recognize what a sacrifice it truly will be to leave them for the next year and half. However, we know that all will be fine in our absence. We could tell this by their united effort to "prank" us for our party. We show up in Sunday dress and all of them showed up in pajamas.
On December 23, I was finally able to get our daughter Camila a temporary green card to replace her lost green card until her citizenship certificate is received. This will now help her to renew her state identification card and receive other SSI benefits that she is needing to maintain her care at the Millcreek Health Center. This was the culmination of several visits to Immigration Services, including the expedition of the application for her citizenship certificate.
Finally we had our own "shepherd's dinner" on Christmas Eve with four of our single sons and two of daughters tight their families. Christmas morning was spent primarily with four of our four single sons, which was a very special time. Throughout the week and on Christmas day, we were able to visit with just about everyone of our children that live in Utah and by Skype with our family in Pennsylvania.
We were privileged to perform home teaching visits to wonderful members in our ward and to make a few visits to widows and others in our condominiums. We even were able to have dinner at the home of Elder and Sister Vassel, who served before us in Germany. We feel so much love from those around us.
What a wonderful Christmas season!
Finally, today, December 27, Debbie and I were able to speak in our Sacrament Meeting and give our welcome and farewell talks in our ward. We have only been able to attend this ward limited times since we moved in, while we have spent so much time in Europe. Today, Debbie woke up with a terrible flu, the same that my mother had earlier in the week. However, with perseverance and faith she arrived in Church and was blessed to be able to share her thoughts with clarity and strength. I took her right back home after and she has been in bed since. We certainly witnessed one more miracle to see her speak for 15 minutes while so sick. God is good!
We now enter into our last week before entering the MTC on January 4. We have a few more preparations, a few more meetings with Europe and hopefully a little bit of relaxation.
