Putting up our Christmas decorations included carefully arranging a porcelain nativity set that my mother-in-law had given us several years earlier. The nativity set was delicate and went in our formal living room - a room designated for "looking and sitting," not "touching and playing." Natalie was there watching and helping me place the manager with the Baby Jesus in the center of an oval side table, followed by Mary at the side of the manger, then Joseph a little further back, then the donkey, the Shepherd, the lamb, and finally the three wise men all looking on from their angled position. After we finished decorating the formal living room we moved on to other decorating.
Later that evening, as I went through the house shutting off lights and preparing to go to bed I discovered that my carefully arranged nativity set had been rearranged. All of the figurines were huddled around the Christ child. I assumed that one of the older children had come home from school and had moved the pieces, so I stopped and returned the figurines to their original setting.
The next morning after the older children were off to school, I noticed that the nativity figurines had been moved again to huddle around the Baby Jesus. I called Natalie in and asked her if she had been rearranging the figurines. She readily admitted that she had. I then asked her why she was moving them. Without hesitation she said, "Because everyone wants to be close to the Baby Jesus."
Then and now, Natalie's 4 year old observation and depiction of the nativity reminds me that I want and need to be numbered among those who "want to be close the the Baby Jesus." He is the Son of God, the Light of the World, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. Elder Lewis and I are grateful for His life, His ministry, His infinite and eternal sacrifice, and to be serving Him as missionaries in Ecuador this Christ - mas!
This past week missionary work was busy as we said "good-bye" to 14 missionaries on Monday, and "hello" to 16 missionaries on Tuesday. Outgoing missionaries are excited, nervous, and sometimes tearful and they prepare to return to their homes. Incoming missionaries are also excited, nervous, and sometimes fatigued from their travels as they begin their missionary service. It was an exciting week!
A fun Christmas tradition for me is baking sugar cookies to give away, and to eat 😉! This year, the new missionaries were the recipients of my tradition. I also tried a new sugar cookie recipe that Sister Barlow shared. It was delicious .........
LOFT HOUSE SUGAR COOKIES:
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream together sugar, butter, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, almond extract, and salt. Add flour and make a soft dough. Roll dough to 1/3 inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 375 degrees F for 9 - 13 minutes. Cool. Frost.
Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 - 3 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Food coloring, if desired
Cream all ingredients together and whip for desired constancy, adding more milk if necessary. Frost cookies, and add sprinkles to garnish.
With the holiday season upon us, we are especially grateful for modern technology! We don't know where we'd be without the luxury of email, magicJack, Instagram, FaceTime, Skype, Hangout, etc. Having the resources and tools to communicate with family and friends during the holiday season is wonderful! It fun to see and hear how the children and grandchildren are celebrating this special time of year. A photo here or a video clip there removes the distance and brightens our days.
We hope and pray that this holiday season will be merry and bright for you.
With love!
Elder & Sister Lewis
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