A Special Thank You

A few weeks back I shared some thoughts regarding Christmas and a gift we had decided to do as a family.  I didn't really get into specifics and intended to get back to it.  I never did though I mentioned a few of the things we had done.  I will simply re-post a post from the Arizona Scottsdale Mission blog where my dear friends the Sweeneys are serving as Mission President.  I will add before doing so that I shared the picture that President Sweeney sent with the kids and they were excited.  It is an impressive group of missionaries and we are grateful that we were able to do a little something for them this Christmas.  As a parent I am thankful for moments of inspiration that come and direct me to do things that will be meaningful to my children and help to develop their testimonies and their love for the Lord and his work.  President Monson often says "when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help".  As parents we are on the Lord's errand, quite an important one at that and I know that his help is there when we seek it.

THANK YOU FONTANO FAMILY! (John, Natalie, Jack and Andy)

Posted on January 15, 2014 by sweeneykarl

The Fontanos of Cedar City, John (Dad) and his 3 terrific children, Natalie, Jack and Andy sent us “5 loaves and 2 fishes” for Christmas. It was not loaves of bread, but loaves of missionary catnip – FUDGE! At our recent all-mission meeting, we served the fudge as dessert to raves from the missionaries!

John and his family run The Little Brick House restaurant and gift house in downtown Cedar. Fudge is their gift shop specialty and they make many different flavors. It’s not an easy thing to be a single parent (which John does with great dedication) and get through a busy day at the restaurant with any extra time. So, we marvelled that he and his children would have time to make this gift. Let me quote from the letter that accompanied the present:

“I was pondering one morning and worried that I would not have anything to give to my children this year. I stopped thinking about material things I could give to them and started thinking about what we as a family could give to someone else. Well, I thought about you and I thought about your missionaries and I thought about fudge. Fudge at Christmas is a Fontano family tradition. I called the family around the table last week and shared with them my thoughts. I talked to them about giving and making that our gift to the Savior. All were on board and were excited expecially when I shared the thought of doing something for you and your missionaries. You will be happy to know that Andy helped supervise the fudge making process, Natalie helped with the vital role of stirring and Jack took very serious his role of sampling the left over fudge in the bowl after we poured each loaf. It has been a great reminder and a lot of fun. I hope it is something you can enjoy and share.”

We did. Thank you. “And he who feeds you…shall in no wise lose his reward.”  D&C 84:90 

Here is a link to the Arizona Scottsdale Mission blog. 

 http://scottsdalemission.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/thank-you-fontano-family-john-natalie-jack-and-andy/