A Quiver Full: DECEMBER 2017

DECEMBER 2017
(this blog contains my weekly emails to my precious family)

WEEK 1 ~ 12/3/2017

Hello Sweet Graham Cracker Constructionists!

1) OREGON! We spent time in Albany and Tigard this past week. A few days in Albany resulted in homemade tree ornaments, hot-tubin’, Hawaiian and Asian meals and great family time with Cam, Kim, Anissa and Justin.

Then on to Tigard. Backstory - Years ago Erin had a bad experience that left her unable to prepare or partake of that childhood favorite ’there’s-always-room-for-more’ ...JELL-O! I recently lucked into becoming the first source of knox-blox (finger jello) for Kaelyn, Ava and Brennan. So when I walked into Jerry’s home Wednesday Brennan exclaimed “Can we make Jello?” I can’t say no to JELL-O.

We also created candy houses with a few graham crackers strategically placed underneath a mountain of candy.

2) Yesterday we gathered in Albany for an early Christmas celebration. (Anissa and Justin had dates for the Winter Formal at church.)

3) Earlier in the day we had lunch, played games, saw a matinee, colored, awarded prizes.

(Justin and Anissa with their dance dates)

4) In Corvalis we were tempted…did not succumb. But what a way to go!

5) I like this from Sunday School today:

“…we should use our free agency and be actively engaged in supporting and defending the principles of truth, right, and freedom.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, 1987

Coming this week:

~ 4th We travel to Lake Stevens to visit the Hansens

~ 8th Roy’s birthday is commemorated

~ 8th We drive back to Utah

~ 10th Stephen will celebrate being 14 - old enough to be a MiaMaid.

WEEK 2 ~ 12/11/2017

My December darlings ~

It’s so good to have spent time with all of you in the past several weeks. Thank you for finding time to be with us.

A special appreciation to Lincoln and Carrie for opening their home to us (and their garage to our belongings).

This past week.

1) Monday - We left Oregon and drove north to visit the Hansens in Lake Stevens (north of Seattle)

2) That evening they concocted a glorious shepherd’s dinner for family home evening. As 21st century shepherds we’ve gotten spoiled by exchanging goat cheese for easy ‘squirt’ cheese and date juice for sparkling cider. Tesila and Dalia played Christmas hymns on the piano. Brian read from the gospel of Luke while we took on the parts of the nativity.

Hmmm. Those of you in the SL area might like to consider joining us for a shepherd’s dinner. Here are your choices:

Sunday, December 17th, 6 pm ~ Kelley’s home

Wednesday, December 20th, 6 pm ~ Bullock’s home

Consider yourselves invited. Costumes optional but recommended. Please let us know if we can expect you and where.

3) In honor of Dalia’s first junior high band concert we ate tributes to her instrument. FRENCH toast stix, FRENCH bread, FRENCH fries & FRENCH silk pie. Britni assured the meal had some balance by tossing in some meatballs. Dalia performed well and it was a fun evening. She is also learning the alto saxophone (and piano).

4) Our kids love playing! Cam really caught on to SET. And both the Albany Howells and Hansens enjoyed playing Five Crowns. Well, maybe not Kim ;o}.

We drove home on clear roads in one fell swoop on Thursday. Lincoln and Carrie’s kids had their dad’s back until Lane tried cutting in.

5) Lingering in my thoughts all week was a talk assignment in our new ward. The request came as quite a surprise and I stewed over it much too long. The topic was “Why I believe”. I referenced Christ as the ultimate avenger. He is immortal. He created worlds, the Earth being his footstool. He is the Great King Immanuel. He has all power to restore paralyzed limbs, sight and life. And power to forgive sins. Because of His ultimate sacrifice we are all immortal beings. This because He is the Life, the Light, the Hope of the world whose chosen path leads to happiness now and forever. And HE IS REAL!

6) This morning our red eye flight landed us back in Miami for a few meetings and appointments. I watched ELF in our hotel room. When it got to the part where the citizens of hard-hearted NYC begin to soften and join in singing Santa Claus is coming to Town and then they start to sing more enthusiastically as they believe again and remember Santa. That part. The Clausometer ramps up to 100% and the reindeer fly Santa and sleigh right over the heads of the carolers who now KNOW that Santa is real. Jaws drop and smiles spread over their faces. I cried. Someone else really knows when we are sleeping, He knows where we’re awake. He knows when we’ve been bad or good…so be good for goodness sake!

Tonight I imagined the sight, the surprise, the glee, the panic, when Christ appears in His full glory. Every knee bowing. Every heart knowing. I will cry again. It will indeed be glo-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-o-ri-ous!!!

This coming week:

13th ~ Shalaun & Tom celebrate 14 years!

13th ~ we fly back to SLC.

14th ~ Cameron’s surgery happens. Spare a prayer.

14th ~ Aunt Colleen’s birthday. We spoke to her last week and she’s pleased to have Shelley visiting again and co-teaching a candy making class in her home. She’s hanging on cheerfully. Perhaps a little discouraged that her custom fitted power wheelchair will take 90 days to arrive.

14th & 15th ~ Gerber girls dance recital.

Save the date: New Year’s Eve. Ring in 2018 at the Bullock’s (we’ll miss the Oregonians, Washingtonians, and Ohioans).

WEEK 3 ~ 12/18/2017

Felicitations Festive Family ~

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

SHEPHERDS DINNERS. One with Hansen's. One at Kelley’s. One at Bullock’s (Wednesday). Gerbers on CHRISTmas eve.

Last week:

1) Meetings in Miami - with my dentist, with MAS, with dear friends

2) A memorable movie night - with Bullocks, Matthew, Scott & Luke

3) Gerber girls dance recital - they each performed to perfection! …says an unbiased g’momma.

As of this email, baby boy is being stubborn.

4) Miscellaneous moments -

5) A night at Kelley’s - with KC, X, Randi, and Centerville Howells (missed Emeline). Thanks Tyson and Meredith for hosting. It was super!

Glory to God for the selfless gift of His son. Glory to His son for His selfless gift of immortality. And making possible Eternal life with our glorious family. All we did to deserve these gifts was to choose God’s plan of happiness. We continue to choose God’s plan for us. Hallelujah!

This coming week:

20th Shepherd’s dinner at Bullocks, 6 pm

??? Gerber baby!

One week until CHRISTmas. Have a good one.

WEEK 4 ~ 12/26/2017

Merry CHRISTmas!

To sum up...

1) I spent much of the week getting familiar with a new grandson, Paden Cole Gerber and his 4 big sisters! Paden arrived one week late. A home birth. The mid-wife arrived with an hour to spare. He is a cute little man, faint eyelashes, a furrowed brow, fuzzy head, long toes, perfectly formed body. Very grateful for this boy and his incredible mother. Congrats Uncle Rayson, Aunt Callie, Raylie, Chloe, Sophie, and Sadie!

2) The Bullocks co-hosted a shepherd’s dinner on Wednesday. Thanks to all who participated!!!

3) Random shots from the week:

Girls lunch with 2 sisters and my mother.

Uncle Sam IS the Grand Master Wu at a happy birthday party for 5 year old Lee.

Our tour of the greenhouse with Uncle Greg.

Temple Square.

Christmas morning with Uncle Lincoln, Aunt Carrie, Matthew, Scott, Luke, Maggie, & Isaac.

Is was a quiet day for us. Let us hear the details about yours...

4) Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my husband, but rather give thanks to God that he hath manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been. ~ Mormon 9: 31, likened unto us. (We are on target to complete the Book of Mormon on New Years Eve day.)

This very week!

28th Uncle Lincoln’s 40th birthday

30th King James (LeBron that is) and his entourage will hold court Saturday. G’pa Lane & I will be there!

31st NEW YEAR’S EVE family gathering - Bullock’s. INFO FORTHCOMING