Christmas finally arrived!

Christmas!

Christmas means (somewhere down the list in importance) all kinds of goodies: this version of Chilean manjar (dulce de leche) layered cookie called alfajor was made by a temple worker friend.
I made lots of cookies and found a place to buy the German goodies I don't make so well, to share with German friends here. Since my German and French teaching days maybe I have lost my touch, but for those who think I should grow out my hair, please think again!

I brought friends back to Santa Lucia to meet this lovely member of the church who makes, among other things, wool nativities of which we bought a few, like mine below.

Nina shows off the handwork made for her by a 93 year old sister.
We have all enjoyed so many homemade gifts given by generous Chilean friends, who think we might not remember them otherwise.

Jones, Isaacsons, Sister Wallace (he took the photo), Blacks, Sisters de Schweinitz and Umber. Scott I. made a really nice program with Christmas carols and scriptures from Luke, Sister Jones played the piano and we all had a wonderful Sunday evening singing followed by delicious pumpkin pie Nina made from pumpkin she brought from home (can't buy here, apparently).

Christmas eve Alma and I were invited to have dinner and spent a wonderful evening with the Palma de Ferrari family in our ward.

Sergio (about to serve a mission in Merida, Mexico, after having finished his first two years of medical school on a scholarship which he is able to retain) Daniela (who was a mission companion of my friend Charlotte Smith from Palo Alto), Alejandro (who knew Bruce Wright who also lived in my home ward...it's a small world...they are both excited to be able to reconnect!), Miriam, Mateo, Alma, and Benjamin (mission planned for next year. This is one of the many wonderful strong families we are privileged to learn from and enjoy in our ward.

Despite the long, long distance between me and home, it has been a truly joyful Christmas for me here in Chile! I have felt the peace, joy and love which come with Christmas, knowing my children are all gathered together, the receiving of cards and messages from friends near and far, the exchanging of goodies and small gifts with new friends here, and celebrating through carols, poetry, stories, shared food with other missionaries and friends.

The temple grounds' lights added to the magic of Christmas eve

Wonderful omelette breakfast cooked by the Wallaces Christmas morning.
We then got a ride with the Blacks to the La Reina stake center to share a devotional, lunch, skits, videos, gift exchange game with the 180 young missionaries of Santiago East Mission, their other leaders and President and Sister Brotherson.

I sat at a table with President Brotherson, Elders from Brazil and Uruguay, Alma, and Jessica and Jennifer Brotherson, both visiting from Virginia. Sister B. was tending to their other daughter who was feeling sick.

The Hughes are the office couple for Santiago East mission. He wrote a fun "missionary" Night before Christmas, she and other sisters made stockings with clever gifts for each missionary. The Blacks teach Pathways, lead Addiction Recovery meetings, organize, carry out many humanitarian projects, and more!

Missionaries are off to enjoy the rest of the day, with the task to clean thoroughly their apartments this New Year's. President B. says they are an amazingly obedient, hard-working, faithful, spiritual group of 18-20 year-olds, many of whom have never been away from home on Christmas. These qualities reflect well their parents and their mission president efforts, too! The tanned leg of this sister shows how much she is out talking to people!

Back home in Salt Lake City, after a long night traveling the world, delivering gifts to good (and maybe some not so obedient) children, Santa has fallen asleep.
I hope you, too, had a fun and joyous Christmas, and that the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ will remind us daily that the light and truth of His gospel, His teachings, and finally His Atonement can give us strength to face our daily trials, redeem us from sins and weaknesses, and allow us to live again with Him and our Father in Heaven. These are the true Christmas gifts.