Merry Christmas, Senior Missionaries!

Sister Collins had gotten the mission home all decked up in Christmas finery and places for all 24 missionaries to sit for a meal (she has lots of practice with transfers of missionaries coming and going through the mission home every six weeks.)

We had a great meal of smoked brisket, baked sweet potatoes, salad, and baked beans with pie for dessert.

 

And while the food was great, the conversations were even better.  I love watching people talk with each other.  The only sad thing was the Ellises (due to his continual recovery from his heart attack) and the Drollingers (attending graduation at the military base where they serve) were not with us.

We then gathered for a white elephant exchange.  This time everyone drew a number and we went in that order, but they had to draw a card and do what was on the card first.  Some of the cards were "Free" which meant they only had to pick a gift.  Others had songs that needed to be sung or questions to answer.  They were all great sports and it served as a way to get to know each other a bit better.

Sister Cook got "Pick three helpers and act out a Christmas song for us to guess."

Here it is:

Sister Cook (I think) laid on the ground and the rest "ran over her"--You guessed it "Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer."  We loved it.

Then we had a sweet program with Elder and Sister Gremlich doing a skit they had written about why we give gifts at Christmas--

Sister Collins got a video of it.  It made us laugh but also to reflect which was perfect.

The audience of senior missionaries

Sister Lowery, the mission nurse, played "What Child Is This?" on the harp.  It was so tender and a sweet transition from the silliness of white elephants gifts into a more thoughtful moment.

We grabbed some pie which was the famous Arkansas Possum Pie made by a local bakery.  When I googled Arkansas desserts that was the one that came up frequently and since we were in Arkansas....the crust is made from a pecan mixture and the filling is like a chocolate cheesecake.  It was yummy but I won't need to have it again.

I realized I hadn't gotten a picture of us at the party so here is my over the shoulder shot of the three of us.

Sister Collins and then President Collins spoke to us and shared some sweet comments about missionaries and our service. During her remarks, Sister Collins passed out little tea lights and then had each one of us share what gift we were going to share with the young missionaries during this holiday and throughout our service.  I wish I had written them all down.  They were so excellent.  I was one of the last ones and was tempted to change my initial thought by their great answers.  But I stayed with my idea because that is usually the best option in these situations-- Mine was, "I will share the vision of life as a disciple of Christ and what it looks like."  That is one of the constant themes in my discussions with missionaries--plan now to serve a senior mission with your companion--and then marry well and live dedicated so that you can achieve that stepping stone goal!  Because being a senior missionary is awesome!

We then sang "Silent Night" while Sister Stephenson played the guitar which was tender as always and ended with prayer.

And then the group picture and the outbreak of 24 missionaries all helping clean up in a small space.  It was amazing to watch.  Love these people....

On floor:  Jena, S. Blake, S. Stephenson, S. Lowery
Middle: E/S Gremlich, S. Griffin, S. Delimont, S. Cook, S. Collins, E. Stephenson
Standing: E. Blake, S/E Bevans, E. Griffin, E. Delimont, E. Cook, E/S Rodeback, President/S Beutler, President Collins   Gary and I are in back of the back row. :)

It was almost 11:00 by the time people started leaving.  I had planned to be done at 9:30 because I didn't know if people wanted to stay up "so late."  It turned out that they did--conversations and being together are treasured moments in the service that we do.

Merry Christmas, Senior Missionaries!  You are the best!