Lila & Mark

together with others.

Though Mark got released as Bishop several years seems as though it was a month of getting ago, one set of (men) roommates keep in contact with us. One of those got married in 2008 and lives with his wife in Highland. He had other roommates/spouses over, as well as us, for a Sunday night dinner to visit and reminisce. It’s interesting to see them in the role of husbands, providers, fathers, and what they have done with their lives. This is a good group of men who have stayed close to the church and will be Now that I'm looking back over November, it the next set of great
leaders.

One day I went to the Family History Library. For lunch, I went up to the break room. People were coming and going. Finally it filled up enough that there were two remaining seats right across from me. I could see two people approaching me. As they got closer I noticed the man had a red shirt on, a big long white beard as was his hair was long and white, and yes, his cheeks were red and rosy, and yes, he had a chuckle. He looked just like Santa Claus and had the characteristics of Santa Claus! After he sat down, I asked the obvious, that he looked like Santa and did he


play the part of Santa, which of course the answer was "Yes". It was one of the most delightful lunch hours I have ever had. His wife was with him as well. They were from British Columbia. She collects Nativity Sets and they were in town for a crèche convention being held in SLC. He doesn't do the role of Santa in the Mall, but does do the Santa role as service to say Boy Clubs, Sr. Citizen places, etc. They shared some Santa experiences with me which were very touching.
For fun, I asked if he had shirts in other colors than red, and he said he had about a dozen red shirts and several red T-shirts. He loves to eat Chocolate and shared a piece with me. They would be a blast to live by and enjoy year round. Let's just say it was it was a super fun hour! Oh I forgot, they were at the library doing family history. Yes, Santa was at the library working on his family history!

Jeff / family were here for Thanksgiving Day. Kristie brought a ham and several trimmings, while I provided the potatoes and additional trimmings. Between us both, there was plenty of food to eat. Rather than watching the football games, I found several taking some good naps during that time. Isn't that tradition?

Marla and I attended the David Archuleta Holiday concert in SLC and it was fabulous. If you remember, he was 2nd runner up in the 2008 American Idol competition and is from SLC. The concert was very much on a professional level with backdrops, band, orchestra, children's choir, Kurt Bestor accompanied a song, and he also sang a duet with his mother. Each intro he did for his next Christmas song was touching. It was definitely a full house sell out.

We appreciate the Thanksgiving season as a time of reflection for the many blessings that come our way from day to day and month to month. Now we turn our hearts to the Christmas season and reflect on the birth of Christ. The world is restless and the values and standards of individuals are on the decline, that there is comfort in the knowledge that we have in the church.

Merry Christmas to all of you and your families!