Christmas this year had to be the simplest and most calm we’ve had in a very long time. We were unable to find a family to help this Christmas Eve so we spent the evening together. Kim made the shepherd’s meal (Passover inspired), we played games together, and just relaxed. I missed the delivery of gifts to families in need, but not racing around was a good change of pace for us.
Christmas was equally laid back. The kids got going around 8am and everyone was pleased with what Santa brought this year. We went downtown to be with missionaries of the Houston Zone who had gathered to play futsal, make their calls home, and organized a crepe making contest. They all had a great time and it was good to be with them on a day where many struggle with homesickness.
Aaron held departure interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and in this transfer we are losing 10 great missionaries. We have a really solid group leaving and their impact will be missed in the mission. An assistant returned home along with several zone and sister training leaders.
This departure group is leaving four days before our new missionaries arrive but we wanted them to have the full transfer experience. We ended up taking all of Wednesday to do all that we would normally do between two days. We went off to the temple to take departure pictures and Aaron was able to get us onto the temple grounds for the first time since Harvey. We have a spot where we always take pictures and it was nice to be back, even if the temple won’t be operational until May. We always take our departure groups to Paul’s Pizza, a mission tradition for years that is easy and something everyone enjoys. Normally we’d head from there off to the airport, but we returned back to the mission home for more final interviews and then our regular evening activities (testimony meeting, dinner, FHE). It was a long day with the missionaries as they arrived 9am and left at 9pm. Too much entertaining, but not a regular thing for us and we’re grateful for that.
We had to use the full day approach described above as we were off to the airport at 5am the next morning to get them home to their families. No issues at the airport other than the usual racing around to get everyone checked in, baggage weighed, and final farewells at security. Farewells have actually become a little easier as we know we’ll see many of them again in only six months’ time.
Aaron and I celebrated our 24th anniversary by going to dinner that night. It has been so crazy lately that we haven’t had as much us time. I loved just going out as us. :) I think we make a great “We”! I don’t know what I would do without him or he without me. I think we are a perfect balance for each other. I love US!
We drove Allie to the airport Friday night to head back to Utah. I will miss having her around but am so grateful that I had two whole weeks with her. Love my Allie-bug! On the way home we (Aaron, Jessie and I) found the perfect bike for Jessie. The gift that was delayed getting here from Santa. She would have been content with any bike bigger than her old one but when we found this maroon and white one. It was it! She and I have gone several rides now and loves going on longer rides. Aaron received an email from the missionary department on our way to the airport that said, “Confidential Successor Information” so, what that means is that you have to wait until the Church announces it in the Church News on or around January 27th. ;)