This and That

We just recieved these from Elder Nelson. These are all of the MTC, we have yet to recieve pictures from Arizona, but they will come soon. James is doing well and enjoying his area and his compainion.

He askes for letters and addresses. He is thankful to everyone who has written and sent him goodies, said those were good. :)

We get the keys to our house on the 22nd. VERY EXCITED is how I would describe the family. We can't wait.

More pictures of the house and Christmas to come :)

A Missionary Mother's Poem

A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving, The thrill just wasn't there. No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair, His presents are shoes, shirts and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because...This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war, Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton. For two years we will pray for him,I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes - their shine. He's always hungered for the part of Him that makes his soul divine. The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand this year,I'm giving Christ my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand - Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done. My gift has taken years to make, This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before - greater love, there could be none. For years ago God gave to me His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray, now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say. Because I know Christ needs him until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.This year....I'm giving Christ my son.

Merry Christmas, Love the Nelson's

Calvin

http://www.autismspeaks.org/navigating/pdd_nos.php

Calvin has been diagnosed with ppd nos. It is Autism, but not is it's truest form. Which basically means that they are still learning a lot about it. . .

He is a sweet, charming, little guy. He enjoys school and is doing really well, he is smarter than everyone expects, really he suffers in the social department more than anything. He is getting everything he needs, and amazing his teachers with his ability to understand things. Now if we can get him to understand that all those marks on a page equal words we are set.

Feel free to look it up and read about it on the link above.

We are all good, just waiting for our final papers, feels about like it is taking forever, but really it has been only a little over a month. That isn't bad considering it is a short sale, those can take much longer. We can't wait to have our own home again, to put up our tree, to be able to find our stuff that is still in boxes, and to spread out a bit.

James is doing great, we miss him, but we are having a good time getting his Christmas presents ready to mail. Talk later, S