Merry Christmas, Gary and Jena!

I decided with Gary and Jena's permission that part of their Christmas gifts would be activities.  One of my goals after receiving our mission call was to be able to enjoy downtown Salt Lake events by walking to them.  I made reservations for four activities--although Gary and Jena only know the days and the times--not the actual events.  Today was the first one--

A walk on Saturday afternoon to the Eccles Theatre on Main Street for---

We have never attended his concert before but he has been doing a Christmas concert for 35+ years.  This year, Alex Boye' was part of the show.  It was fun and very enjoyable.  I was really glad that we were there despite the last minute frantic look for our immunization cards which were required by the theatre.

We had two very sweet experiences while there.  At the intermission, the couple sitting just down from us came and talked to us.  They are from the Tooele area and have a 3 year old daughter with Down syndrome.  We had a great conversation with them.  Then after they went back to their seats, the family on the other side of Jena talked to us about being missionaries, etc.  At the end of the program, the mother handed Jena $20 dollars and wished us a Merry Christmas and thanks for serving as a missionaries.  She told Jena to buy us a treat.  How sweet was that!  It made me cry.  People are so sweet to us when they see the missionary tags.

Our Merry Christmas events were off with a perfect start...and if you have a chance, watch the Alex Boye' YouTube video called "Newborn"!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD4S1WhJajk

They showed it as part of the performance.  It is amazing and will bring tears to your eyes!!!