Family Christmas Party With Ben

At the state hospital, they held a family Christmas party for the patients last night.  Pizza, salad and pie!  They had a choir sing some Christmas songs which was good as well.  Ben practiced with them some times but didn't want to perform.

Despite his lack of smiles in the pictures, he seemed to be glad that we were there.  We were a bit late due to traffic (and me underestimating traffic on a Saturday).  Shortly after we sat down at the table with Ben and some other patients, Ben hopped up and went to another table and gather 6 wrapped chocolates.  One of the workers behind me commented that they (Ben and the other patients) had already eaten all of the chocolates on their table. And then Ben dropped them in front of the three of us--two for each.  That delighted the workers--that Ben would look after us.  It was a sweet gesture and he even smiled when he did it.

A recent change in medication isn't working as planned so another adjustment was made on Friday which has made him more sleepy again.  He doesn't like that feeling but is willing to hang in there in hopes that his body will adjust and he will get some overall improvement in his symptoms and in his physical health.

One of the reasons for the traffic was a downtown park in Provo was having a Christmas market/celebration of some type and there was lots of traffic and people walking everywhere.

 

There Is Beauty All Around!

I picked these leaves up on the ground in Provo one day--actually over a month ago, but then forgot about them until this past week and pulled them out of the car.  Even then, they are still so beautiful and so big--I am sorry I didn't put them by something to help point out their size.

This photo doesn't do justice to the viewing--greens and yellows--on this leaf.

And then, looking out our north facing window on Saturday evening, the sky was glowing pink and then slowly changed to oranges.  It seemed like the air itself was colored.  I headed out the door and down to the west facing window in our hallway and watched a gorgeous sunset.  It is only for 5-6 minutes when the air was tinted and the skies so beautiful and then dusk comes and night falls.  But that night, I am so glad for the moments to watch that beauty on display.

Sorry for the light in the hallway!

Don't miss the sunset tomorrow!

Early Birthday Lunch with Lorna

Lorna's birthday is on December 4 so we met up on Thursday for lunch again in the COB.  We met each other about 43 years ago at this same time when we moved to Sunset, Utah.  It has been so great to reconnect after all of these years.

One special moment was being able to give her a copy of Gift From the Sea.  Ever since I started this project, she was one of the women that I thought I would like to give a book to, but I didn't think I would ever connect back with her and have that chance.  On Thursday, I was able to and she now has a book.  Oh, how blessed I have been with great women in my life.

Remembered to have Gary take a picture this time!

Mission Zone Leaders Plus Jena Christmas Party

The mission presidency and their wives organized and treated us all to a lovely Christmas dinner and program on the 9th floor of the Joseph Smith Building.  Jena was specifically included in our invitation and was mentioned as one of the special guests (I think she was surprised but happy.  She gave a cute wave from her seat.)

We had one of the Seventies (who served on the mission committee of the Church) but I don't know how to spell his name.  He had been a religion teacher at BYU and gave a fascinating talk about Christmas traditions and ancient history of the religion.  I could have listened to him for a long time.  I wish that I had taken notes.  There is so much that I don't know that I want to know!

Christmas lights on at Temple Square

Beautiful Music
violin, piano, and then a harp-piano duet

Table display

Jena with her name card

A view to the west from the 9th floor

As we left, some Temple Square missionaries were singing Christmas hymns so we enjoyed that for a few minutes.  Christmas is in the air!