I thought of the story of “The Christmas Box” this week. In the story the lady (Mrs. Parkins?), I can’t remember her name, asks Richard “what was the first gift of Christmas”. Richard responded “Was it a necktie?” Richard thought he was being funny but Mrs. Parkins didn’t laugh. Richard has dreams which disturb him and he tries to come up with the answer to “what was the first gift of Christmas?”
I was surprised that I didn’t come up with the answer at first, but Richard finally did. “It was a child.”
“For unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The first gift of Christmas was a child.
We went to our mission Christmas “conference” party this week. It was done on two days for different parts of the mission and we attended part of the second day as well as the first day. We had skits and games and entertainment prepared by the missionaries, a gift exchange and a catered dinner with the whole roasted pig and all. It was a good time.
We also went to the "model” Self Reliance Center in Bacolod, which is on the Island of Negros Occidental.
We took a boat that holds about 200 people and travels at about 40 mph. The trip takes about one hour. We were able to see how that center operates and we were taught some things that we haven’t learned before such as how to help someone through the process of applying for a Perpetual Education Fund loan.
Today, Sunday, we went to Passi to speak in their ward. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive there. We were received well and they want us to come back next week to help them get started in the “My Path” training for Self Reliance.
Well have a great week. I love you, Dad
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