The 2023 Holiday Fun Continues

Rex Kocherans (baritone), Melissa Heath (soprano) and James Welch (organ) put on a beautiful Christmas concert in a Provo chapel.

The Orem Temple is finally finished and will be dedicated for use in January. It has been open to the public for tours. I visited this beautiful sacred building last week. The Provo Temple will close for major reconstruction in February. I often attend the Provo City Center Temple to perform ordinances for my ancestors.

BYU has a truly amazing music program with many outstanding choirs, orchestras, and soloists. This Christmas program by the University Chorale in the new music building was fabulous!

I really enjoy BYU basketball. BYU beat U. Denver in a pre-season game. The crowds and BYU student rooting section are loud and enthusiastic!

I was the guest of friends Gae, Scott and Kristen Rose. Scott's brother Dave recently retired as coach at BYU.

The Hale Center Theater (in the round) put on an exceptional production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Scrooge is transformed from a grumpy, stingy man into a generous, happy one after he is visited by the three ghosts.

Walking to church on a very cold Sunday morning with the sun shining on snowy Mt. Timpanogos. More snow is predicted for Christmas Eve.

My granddaughter Lucie Taylor performed with one of the 6 Centennial middle school choirs. All students are required to take music, so Provo produces a lot of talent! The below photo is with her parents Emily and Ken after the show.

I had a very lively, fun holiday open house on Sunday, attended by family, new and old friends and some of my English students, but was so busy talking I forgot to take photos, until the guests had gone and the house put back in order and only happy memories left.

And then, of course, I had to finish my puzzle, Noah's Ark before all the animals piled in! Symbolic of my departing friends?? I hope they all got along better than many in our fractured world!

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This week's Missionary Training Center's Tuesday evening devotional was taught by Elder and Sister Corbitt (previously mission leaders in the DR East mission) with the participation of 4 MTC missionaries, 4 currently serving in Provo missionaries, and 4 returned missionaries. The focus was on faith. We must always look forward, think celestial, have the end goal (eternal life) in view and share our faith in God with others.

If you are looking for ways to brighten the season for others, go to:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world

May your holidays be merry and bright. A big thank you to all who send cards (my favorite part of the day is after the mail arrives!) When I was a child Christmas mail was delivered several times a day! As we celebrate his birth, may the gift of our Savior, his Atonement, his forgiveness and mercy, his love and light, brighten your life in these dark and troubling times. 

              Merry Christmas 2023 and Happy New Year 2024