CHRISTMAS IN CLEVELAND, 2013

 CHRISTMAS IN CLEVELAND, 2013

Christmas has come to us here!  We have had many wonderful programs and visits from other missionaries who are in our mission.  Little gifts, treats, songfests, dinners, etc., help us and them not be so lonely at this special time of year.  

We have a little 3-foot artificial tree on a table in front of our full-length living room window, decorated with homemade chains of popcorn, cranberries and green peas (my innovation to add color!).  We brought with us our favorite Church Christmas story books that we read every year, and we enjoy reading one or two each night.  We also brought our Christmas stockings and have enjoyed making our favorite carmels, gingerbread cut-out cookies, and cool whip balls.  Since we don't want to eat too many of these delectables, we have shared them in many homes of friends here.

Our stake had a choir festival on December 15, and we joined the choir.  It was great!  Really professional directors and accompanists.  

The times we have gone to Kirtland for mission activities have been very special.  On Dec. 1, the mission president gave a member and missionary fireside in the Kirtland Temple, and it was a thrill to sing Christmas carols there.  We also had a mission conference in the temple two days later with over 250 full-time missionaries in attendance--the largest group ever to be in the temple at one time as missionaries. The Spirit is so strong there; we all love to visit that place.

Our mission president, his wife, and office staff gave us all a wonderful gift of a handmade book of stories of miracles in the mission, submitted by any missionary who wanted to--they were originally written in the weekly letters to the president.  We enjoy reading a page a day of the stories from our elders and sisters and seniors.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, we went to Severance Hall in Cleveland (symphony hall) to hear the famous Cleveland Orchestra in its holiday concert.  It was magnificent!! The choir with them was the Cleveland University Chorale, an excellent sounding group of about 100.  Many traditional carols were played, and the favorite of ours was "Silent Night" sung by the audience with the house lights off, and just candles lighting the stage.  The conductor, Robert Porco,  said that it is his favorite way to sing that carol, and it is our favorite way also.  A lovely and memorable gift to each other!  We also bought a CD of their Christmas music.

On Christmas Eve, we invited Sisters Dianne Duehring and Claudia Johnson (who help us in preparing documents at work) to come to our apartment and spend the evening with stories, songs, eats and sharing memories.  It was so fun to have them.  They both arrived early in December, and are great helps to the work we have to do.

                                                            

Rocky River clock tower, favorite landmark

Inside Severance Hall for symphony

Our little tree

Olive wood creche, Kirtland creche exhibit

 Christmas Day was spent in Kirtland for a wonderful potluck dinner, a movie called "Christmas For A Dollar" (the long version), and enjoying the most beautiful creche exhibits.

cute cookie favors for Christmas, made by our sister trainer