Happy Holidays?

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a season when there are more smiles, more cheerful greetings, more acts of thoughtful kindness, more sweet remembrances of cherished friends and loved ones that are found through the rest of the entire year. In the troubles times in which we live, this is truly a miracle. Then why is it we make ourselves crazy letting the commercial aspects of these glorious season dominate our lives?

Have you overdone it again this year? Have you taken on too much for the time and energy you have? Perhaps you don't have enough money to spend for those things you feel you must purchase.  Are you stressed out, wrung out and worn out during a time when instead we should feel the simple joys? So stop already! No problem, you'll get right on that, when...pigs can fly, right?

    

 

                                                                           

We actually found this display of flying pigs at an apartment complex we were trying to secure a missionary apartment at.


 

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!

Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!

And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!

Put on a happy face!

Sisters Winslow and Forsey putting on their happy faces!

Just one day of mail...

You better watch out, you better not pout... Santa's coming to town.

And if he happens to arrive a little late here in Orlando, no problem.

Friends and families of our missionaries have been doing there best

to share in the Christmas spirit of giving.

 

 

Elder and Sister Bevans helping unload the Mission trailer of treasures this week in preparation of 6 new apartments to furnish before mid January!

 

Elder Jones, with his eyes all aglow, at the Poinciana Branch Christmas gift exchange.

Elder Busath telling another tall tale to Elder Delgado, ho, ho, ho.

 

The Poinciana Branch Christmas Party and chili cook off.

Our Branch President Justo Quispe, in the Santa hat and our Young Men's President, Jody Howse, standing next to him in his "ugly" Christmas sweater that actually lights up.

 

As you have probably discovered finding the real joy of the Christmas season comes not in the hurrying and scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts. Real joy comes as we show love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the World...As we contemplate how to spend our money to buy gifts this holiday season, let us plan also for how we will spend our time in order to bring the true spirit of Christmas and JOY into the lives of others.

 

Wishing you a happier holiday season.

See you later, alligator...