December 15, 2020

 We have worked this week with Erika and Richard Vernon to prepare for and film our ward musical event   SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT. The Vernons were called as our “tech” support and they are wonderful.  We met with them on Tuesday evening at the church to get some of our filming equipment and props set up and we arrived early Saturday morning at the church again to finish our set up and welcome our participants. We had each number scheduled an hour apart to maintain COVID standards and restrictions. Charmaine and Cheyenne arrived at nine to perform and film “Still, Still, Still”. Brian and Brenda Leavitt arrived at ten and read their parts. Duerichens arrived at eleven and sang “O Holy Night” (Alice on piano) and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Charlotte Law, Carol Hur (violin) and Alice Davies (piano) performed “Silent Night” at twelve and at one o’clock Anchor (violin/sing) and Joseph Tsai (piano) filmed “Guard Him, Joseph”. That concluded our musical program but we filmed Sister Senter, a missionary, playing “Joy to the World” on the piano at two, and that number will be shown at sacrament meeting on the 20th. Now it is all in the hands of the Vernons. They are editing all the clips we recorded into one complete program and we are praying for them as we know it is a big undertaking. They are adding Alice’s background music to the Leavitt’s readings. We broadcast this Saturday evening to the ward and others.

Tom talked to Dr. Collingridge on Monday and told him of his upset tummy and back pain and he agreed to let him go off the cholesterol medication for a month and see if that helps. We have decided that his back is hurting as a result of cleaning the shower daily and I have taken that responsibility over and ordered a shower cleaner on a pole to save both our backs. We are prepping for his phone visit with the dermatologist this week and his biopsy at the hospital on Friday, the 18th. His tummy has improved somewhat and his back is feeling better.

We taught Carol again this week. We have started Temple Prep lessons with her now. We took her the sacrament on Sunday and hurried home for me to zoom with the oldest primary children who are preparing to go to the Temple for the first time. I spoke to them about the Temple and the blessings of the Temple. Jack spoke to them about the blessings of the Priesthood. We took Christmas gifts and treats to Roger, Shannon Tsai, and Esther Lai’s home. They are some of our ministering people. We have also taken things to Barrobys and Carol. Esther had major surgery this week, with one of her legs being amputated. She is diabetic and really struggled thru these past years. We are praying for her and have been communicating with her children. Roger was suppose to have surgery this week too but his was cancelled. We have been working with our accountant and financial planners on some things this week too. We get our daily Walker Walk in each day but Sunday and we stay in touch with kids and grandkids.

I made orange rolls this week and more spiced almonds for Christmas. We have bought a small turkey but may cook a rolled turkey breast. We are still deciding. We are trying hard to keep our diet low cholesterol and we both are losing weight. We are trying to cook Christmas but keep it healthy.