I mentioned to Sister Vorwaller awhile back that they probably have a White Christmas here in Vermont most years and we are certainly going to this year. We're grateful we have consistently been hiking up to the Memorial from our apartment because we definitely needed to today. We've been getting lots of snow since the ice storm and woke up to nearly a foot this morning. It is just the way I always pictured Vermont at this time of year.

The one shot is of Sis. Vorwaller going down the lane from our place this morning. The others taken as we hikeed up.

Trying again to post a few of the pictures of the winter wonderland created by the icestorm.

On Thur. the 11th of Dec. the predicted snowstorm arrived with lots of snow that created a perfect Christmas scene for all of our senior missionaries to enjoy as we gathered at Bro. and Sis. Feeney's home for their traditional Christmas dinner for the missionary couples. Their beautiful family provided a delightful setting for all us grandparents to be in. The joy they receive in celebrating Jesus's birth was clearly manifest. Their love for the Lord as well as us made our whole evening just as sweet and memorable as was the delicious dinner and dessert. Our drive to and from their home was slow because of all the snow but we were in no hurry because the peaceful feeling was so complete and full. However, by morning our snow'storm turned into a dangerous and destructive ice'storm that left thousands of people without power but also left an amazing winter wonderland. As I hiked Patriarch Hill I learned why we always decorated our Christmas tree with ice cycles. Sister Vorwaller and I have never seen anything more gloriously beautiful. The scene should last since it is supposed to be cold for awhile. Even though pictures never do justice I will post some to give you an idea.

I mentioned the lighting ceremony in my last blog and want to share a few pictures that lets you see for yourself just how beautiful the grounds of the Memorial are with over 100,000 lights. Lots and lots of people drive through each evening to enjoy them. The Christmas lights along with the live nativity is a gift to the community.

This certainly can be a most wonderful time of the year and I'm thoroughly convinced that is the case because of the reason for the season. The deapth and breadth of meaning and enjoyment is derived from our remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at this time of year. We were very happy to participate in the Lighting Ceremony this year but I was more interested in the live Nativity Pagent put on here at the JSBM each of the past seventeen years. I always loved our traditional pagents of the nativity done by our family and looked forward to this years production at the Memorial. It went amazingly well and especially so the second night because the sound system worked much better. I am glad I was asked to take some pictures of the Nativity which allowed me to be in an isolated spot that really enhanced my experience the second night. Another factor that definitely enhanced the experience for everyone the second night was having the regular cast not show up and having the show go on because of the willingness of all those volunteers who pitched in. We were so blessed to have a young family here early to tour the Memorial and see the movie who accepted the invitation to be the Holy family. Their little baby was perfect and her crying just added to the whole experience. Anyway the best thing about it was having individuals comment that they had never had such an experience before. Everyone agreed it was a total success.