Merry Christmas to ALL!

We express gratitude this Christmas season for our many blessings, two of which are our family whom we love dearly, and for the many wonderful friendships we have with so many of you. We are fortunate to be serving a full-time mission in beautiful England and are humbled by the many blessings we have received. We are learning a great deal every day. Our eyes have been opened to a whole new world. “Never a dull moment in Public Affairs” is a phrase we use constantly. 

Our children and grandchildren have also expressed recognition of blessings in their lives as a result of their support of our mission. We are so grateful for their love and help. Among the blessings we have seen for them is continued gainful employment, safety among natural disaster, and blessings of health and strength. We miss them dearly, but I don’t think there is even one in our twenty that would have things any other way right now. To catch you up on each of them (skip this part if you want to!): 

• Kevin and Amanda – keep busy with the schedules of five children, spent a lot of time on the lake and camping this past year. Their schedules make us tired. They will visit us in March!
• Taylor (18) – Eagle Scout! Winding up his senior year, accepted to USU, will defer until after serving a mission for our Church. We are hoping he doesn’t leave before we get home!
• Carly (15) – High School, learning to drive, ran on the cross-country track team, finally got her braces off!
• Hailey (13) – our sports girl! Plays Jr. High Basketball and Comp Basketball
• Luke (9) – third year skiing, loves to fish, even ice fishing, has given up asking for a real Pug dog, and has now resorted to asking for a t-shirt with a picture of a Pug. He sent his mom a power point presentation of all the things he wanted for Christmas. Very clever boy. 
• Abbie (9) – dancer, learning to play the guitar, full of energy, happy girl. 
• Sam and Alisha – came to England last month and we had a blast together! Sam is a busy tax accountant and Alisha an online instructor for BYUI. They are very good at making sure to get family time in too. Busy busy parents. 
• Nathan (9) – blue belt in Taekwondo, competition is the name of his game, everything from Taekwondo to brushing his teeth the fastest. Loves Cub Scouts too.
• Alexa (9) – unlike her twin brother, very non-competitive. Sweet, mild mannered, such a good big sister, learning to play the piano, loves to sing! 
• Maxwell (7) – loves catching bugs and lizards, loves to run with his mom, very witty. He makes us laugh! 
• Lincoln (3) – obsessed with Disney’s CARS, especially Lightning McQueen. Loves to call Grandma on Facebook Messenger video and use the funny icons to make funny faces with her, loves to be out and about. 
• Hannah (19mo) – a good little sleeper, jabbers non-stop, loves her binky, loves shoes, especially her Minnie Mouse slippers, a girlie girl for sure, and a mama’s girl too. 
• Zack and Hilary – Zack is still Mr. Entrepreneur, always something new in mind. Had is first MMA fight this month and won! It has been a great get-in-shape tool. Hilary works one day a week in Medical Research and is supermom and wife. 
• Hunter (5) – started school this year and loves it. Also does MMA and Jujitsu, loves sports like his dad, loves to sing and dance like his mom. A well-rounded kid! 
• Quinn (2) – our little emotional cutie. Talking more, but is still very funny with one or two-word shout outs. Hilarious! Such a sweet little boy. We love our Quinner Ninner. 

Last January before leaving on our mission we all enjoyed a week in Florida at Disney World. It was a week we will treasure always. Next to heaven, it really is “the happiest place on earth.” To connect the miles apart this Christmastime, we all are participating in the “Light the World” campaign and sharing it on our family Facebook page. It has been a great blessing also.

We are blessed this time of year to reflect on the many things we are thankful for. We have been blessed with such good health and strength while we have been serving. Never have we been more thankful for the Internet and social media to keep us connected to you! We are thankful for all those who are helping us with things at home, enabling us to serve. We are grateful to those taking care of my mom while we are away. We are most grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ, for his birth and his death, and his atoning sacrifice, that we may live with him again as eternal families. We are blessed to have each of you in our lives. May you spend this holiday time doing just want you want to do and being near those you cherish! May you be blessed with miracles in your life, strength if you are feeling weak, and may your burdens be lightened. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you. 

Cheers from across the pond, 

Ron and Marie