Best Christmas Gift Ever

All month I have been rehearsing with a choir of temple workers for the annual Temple Worker's fireside.  I would walk out after the rehearsal to a lighted St. George temple.  Talk about breathtaking! How fun that I sat next a lady and introduced myself.  It was Sandi Griffiths! (Sandi was in Program Bureau with Janie Thompson back in the 60's.  She and her partner came back to BYU Fieldhouse Frolics as alumni performers the year we 8 sisters sang "Close To You" and came out Turning Around as Larry sang the song "Turn Around."  From that moment, Mom never missed a Lawrence Welk show because Sandi and Sally were on the show.)

I played it very cool as we got to know each other, but I was jumping inside!  Mom and Dad are freaking out!!  I am with Sandi Griffiths!!  After the rehearsal was over I went a little crazy and she just laughed.  Now having gotten to know her better as we sit together each rehearsal, I love her!  She is beyond genuine, kind, loving, humble, etc. etc. We both have great memories of Janie and BYU.  We both have children living in Cedar City (Enoch...same thing). Her husband, Brent, also sings with the choir.     Anyway......
Sunday night was the fireside. Such a joy to sing the Christmas hymns as prelude, sing with the congregation, and then hear our Temple Presidency and wives speak to us.  The choir did 4 songs written or arranged by Sally Deford between talks.
The best.......Elder Quentin L Cook was in the temple Saturday doing the work for a childhood friend. He spoke to us and left us with an apostolic blessing. (My heart was so full it just gushed through my eyes! So special and hard to describe.) I am so glad Charlie was there to share it with me.

A few notes from the talks:

Brother and Sister Judd - Spoke of the boy Jesus being found in the temple and telling his mother he was "dong His Father's business."  The temple is a portal to the Father and as temple workers we are to serve with kindness, patience, and love as we serve the patrons who are doing their Father's business.

Brother and Sister Hinton - Sister Hinton collects Nativities.  If we follow the Savior, we will find peace.  We all have choices.  Do we have room for the Savior?  Will we celebrate the world's Chrsitmas or the true meaning of Christmas?  Recommit for next year to obey the commandments.

Brother and Sister Wilkinson  -  "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked."  (I though about Dad and how he loved to hear his daughters sing that for him.) We can't all make it to the Holy Land to walk where He walked, but we have the gift of serving in the temple where we walk on Holy ground.

Set good priorities.  With that comes power.  Salvation cannot come without revelation.  We each need personal revelation in our lives.  Take the opportunity in the temple to reflect on the Savior. (I am so thrilled that I get 2 hours each week to play the hymns and sing them in my mind in the temple.)

Elder Cook  -  What is your Spiritual condition? Remember the Savior.  Know that the veil is very thin when doing temple work and family history. Said much more too precious to write. My heart was full!!

Wow!  Merry Christmas to me!!