Christmas morning. It always seems to come really early when you are an adult. Now I did stay up late watching a movie last night so that doesn't exactly help but still. Actually, we did pretty good. I don't think we were really rolling before 8 so that was nice. The morning was the usual Christmas morning in the Fontano household. We all gather in a room other than the living room and then we venture in together. When we were young kids dad would always turn the Christmas tree lights on and then we would go in. I would always have to pretend to be surprised because I had already managed a covert operation and scanned the room for presents. If my parents knew this they never let on which leads me to believe I was just a good actor.
So it was this morning. We gathered in the family room for the long walk to the living room. I didn't take note on the tree lights and so I reserve comment there. Katherine and Marien played Santa and distributed the presents from under the tree. Once everyone had their pile of presents we started around the room taking turns opening gifts. Everyone seemed to have a good time and to enjoy the gifts they received. It was a good morning. The kids were enjoying Christmas morning with their mom and I do have it from a reliable source that they had a great morning as well.
We had a special Christmas sacrament meeting today. No other meetings held. There was a musical presentation that included a reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke chapter 2. It was a good meeting and the choir, though small, did a great job. I was sitting and waiting for the meeting to start when Jack came and sat beside me, followed by Andy and Natty. It was so nice to have them with me. I love these beautiful children. Jack was excitedly telling me all about his gifts. He was great. At one point the primary went up front to sing a few songs. Actually they lead off that portion of the meeting. Andy started up, stopped came back and said "I choose not to sing". You can't argue that. I found it humorous as did a few others.
I did pick up the kids to come over for the family Christmas dinner tonight. They were excited to show me some of their gifts - radio control helicopters. They were fun. We made it to Grandma and Grandpas house and spent a few hours together with dinner and then more present opening for them and other family members that were not there this morning - Jay's fam and Dave and Dani. Everyone seemed to have a good time and it was a good visit. I took the kids back to our house and they showed me a few things. They have had a good time this last week with their mom and I am happy for that. I remember writing about this last year and the pain that I felt for them and for her when she went back home. I am certain that pain still exists and that departure will be hard again. We press forward doing the very best that we can do.
I was reflecting on the Savior this morning as we went through our Christmas routines. I thought about a message from President Monson where he asked what would you give? I am usually pretty quiet when it comes to posting things on certain social media sites but I decided to write a little something. I expressed my gratitude for the savior, his life and what he makes possible for each of us. And then, my gift - to be more valiant in my testimony of him. So it is. I want to be better tomorrow then I was today. I want to constantly work towards becoming more like the savior. I need to have a greater focus in this regard. I think it is easy for me to live in routines - granted most of my routines are pretty worthy ones. Is it enough? I can do better. I need to do better. I need to be more valiant in my testimony of Jesus Christ.
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