Christmas Stories 1-16-22

 

From my missionary journal

25 December 1985

Bacolod, Philippines

Colleen (Flynn) Holmquist

“In the evening we went to Bishop Candari’s house.  He told us about his experiences last night (Christmas Eve). I’m learning so much about what Christmas is and what it isn’t.

The Alpine Stake in Utah and the Canoga Park ward in California sent some money to the Bacolod stake so that the members here could really enjoy Christmas.  Because of Canoga Park, each unit was able to have one lechon and 700 pesos. And then the rest of the other money went to provide gifts for the indigents.  Sis. Candari bought and wrapped about 50 gifts yesterday.  

Bishop Candari said that they went around caroling to about 11 families in the ward.  The custom in the Philippines is that when carolers come, those being caroled will pay some money.  As the bishop and his company went around, many times the members closed their windows and doors because they have no money to give.  But [the carolers] insisted and finally the doors were opened.   Imagine their surprise when the carolers gave to them gifts.  Many cried.  One good man who is very active and has about five children is living in very humble circumstances. His only work is on the [Pagla-um] chapel.  He had been praying for three days that somehow he would be able to do something for his children for Christmas. It was nearly 11 pm Christmas Eve and Bro. Casaquite had given up. He had gone to the Lord in prayer, “Why me? Why Lord did you forget about my family?”  And then the carolers came and presented their gifts. After that Bro. Casaquite kneeled again before the Father, humble and repentant for having doubted and given up.

And Bishop Candari said, “That is only one, Sister. Only one.”

He also told us that many wards had decided not to have Christmas parties because of lack of fund for foods.  But with the gifts provided by their American brothers and sisters. They now have the money and some of them will be having Christmas parties even up until Dec. 31.

To me, that was an example of the gospel in action: one case of the poor being exalted in that the rich are made Leo.  Wow! How great to be part of a church that promotes such brotherhood such Christlike giving.  I feel that those good Saints who contributed are preparing for the Law of Consecration.  If only they could somehow see what their donations have done for some people here.”

Christmas 2002

Glendive MT

Gresham house

Carrie Keiser

We got the kids to bed and were patiently waiting for them to be fully asleep so “Santa” could arrive. The dog, Cooper, kept barking and making the task harder and I kept worrying the neighbors would get annoyed liked they tended to and we’d end up with another visit from the cops. After a few times of calming Coop down, and him still barking, I decided I should go outside and see if I could find a reason. I never saw anyone or anything, but someone (probably more than one person) had delivered boxes of Christmas gifts to our porch. They were very quiet and the kids were not disturbed but Cooper knew they were there. 

We learned that it was people from church. I was reminded of a similar Christmasing that happened to me as a kid. These two combined experiences prompted us to pick a gift tag the next few years to help contribute to another family’s Christmas surprise. A few years in a row we also were involved in the delivering of the gifts to the selected family. It was so much fun to sneak the presents up to the door and then knock and run a safe distance to watch for them to open the door. A few times we heard a heartfelt thank you hollered out to the night in hopes it would be heard. 

If you have the opportunity to be a part of Christmasing someone, do it! 

Story Slingers Prompt-- Christmas Story

1/12/22

Daren Flynn

EMPTY NEST CHRISTMAS

'Twas the first Christmas

That we were alone.

The house was empty

'Cause all the kids were all grown.

The tree was in the corner

Right where it should be

With lights and tinsel

Which just we two could see.

The stockings were hung

Somewhere out of sight

'Cause there was no need

For Santa on this night.

That Christmas Eve

'Ere we went to bed

From the book of Luke

Of Jesus' birth we read.

No room could be found

So Jesus was born

In a stable plain

Early that Christmas morn,

He was born of Mary

To fulfill God's plan

Having agreed to be

The redeemer of man.

God's sacrificial Lamb

Born that Christmas Day

Lived a perfect life

And showed us the way.

His great love for all

Was manifest as He

Suffered for our sins

And died on the tree.

Jesus rose from the tomb

At the foretold time.

So life after death

Is your hope and mine.

We two said a prayer

Of thanks for Jesus,

For his love and for

His sacrifice for us.

We retired to our bed

As loneliness ceased.

Our hearts were filled

with His Love and Peace.

So we are happy

On Christmas day

Even though our kids

Were far far away.

Story Slingers

January 16, 2022

Myrna Flynn

A few Christmas Reminiscences

Just a few thoughts about vaguely remembered Christmases:

First, I will set the scene with living conditions of the first 4 years of my life. Until I was 4 years old we lived in the country about 6 miles from the town of Springdale, WA The house we lived in was built by my dad, grandpa and my uncle. It was not well insulated, it had no electricity, indoor plumbing or running water. We had oil lamps for light, our water was carried in from a spring near the house and an outhouse during the day and a bucket next to the bed at night for our needs. We had 3 ways to get to town to get groceries and supplies: 1-- We walked, 2-- Uncle Roy took us to town in the truck, I rode inside with my mom and my brothers rode in the truck bed, 3-- we hitched a ride with the mail carrier. 

Needless to say, there was not much money for presents and not much selection in Springdale.

For one Christmas, when I was 2 or 3, my mother made me a doll, I named him Funny Face and he was my constant companion. Wherever I went, Funny Face was with me. I do no remember exactly when he went missing.

The main experiences I think of about Christmases, after we moved into town, was that, unlike today, Christmas was not commercialized until late November or early December. Mom and I would take the bus to Spokane to shop and to see the lavish decorations in the windows of The Crescent, Penny's, Sears Roebuck and other stores. After shopping, we would go to the bus depot cafè and I would get chocolate pudding with lots of whip cream and a cherry on top.

To leap several years ahead to when we lived on Ivy Street in Missoula. Colleen, Sean, Grampa and I decorated sugar cookie cutouts, made paper chains, and popcorn strings to decorate our tree. A big share of the cookies and the frosting went into Sean and Colleen's tummies. Martin was only 2 months old so he missed the fun. (I am still mad at myself for losing the cookie recipe that I used.)

Next memory that came to me was when we lived in Parowan, UT. We did what we usually do to get our Christmas tree, we went into the forest and cut down a tree. It was a beautiful pine tree. Turned out to be a big mistake, pine trees drip pine sap. It left a big sticky mess to be cleaned up, even though we had put something under and around to catch the falling needles. 

Next ones were again about trees -- it was during one of our really tight income times, so we waited until the tree sellers had left over trees that were free. 

The latest Christmas memories are Ryanne, Aaron and family coming over on Christmas Eve with stocking fillers, pajamas and or slippers. This year they went to Megan's and came to our house on New Years for dinner  and brought our new pajamas!! (No stocking fillings though.)

(And that is the last of this lame excuse for a story, but it is a contribution!!)