A Missionary Christmas

I think the only previous time in my life when I have been away from home and family during the Christmas season was probably during my first mission to Brazil, in 1976 and 1977. Even when I was single and living in Virginia, I always went west to visit family for the holidays.

This time, at least Bonnie and I were together, though we keenly missed being with our children and grandchildren. There's not much we can do right now related to our mission assignment, since all the organizations and people we collaborate with, in and out of the office, are on extended vacations. So it seemed especially quiet and lonely for us. We worked to fill our time with good activities.

Fortunately, we have a new "family"—the other 12 senior couples and 1 sister also serving in the area office! We all feel privileged to work together. We are becoming good friends with these wonderful people, and are sure our contact and friendship will last well after the mission.

This photo was taken of a recent "senior missionary choir" performance during a stake conference. Many of us also sang for two devotionals held for the South America South Area.

Following the Christmas devotional in the office, we had a catered luncheon for all the employees and missionaries serving here. There are well over a hundred employees working in various divisions in the office.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday was the privilege of helping others. The senior missionaries worked together to provide Christmas gifts and supplies to a group of needy families—a kind of "Sub for Santa" operation. Bonnie and I bought gifts and food and shared some funds for a single mother with two children. It was impressive to see the generosity of all the missionaries.

Our holiday celebrations got into full swing on Christmas Eve. We were all invited to the apartment of Elder Benjamin De Hoyos, a member of the Seventy and the current Area President. He's a wonderful man, and we enjoyed a dinner followed by LOTS of singing and shared messages.

Elder De Hoyos and his wife down at the far end of the table.

After a major dinner, we tackled this dessert bar, most of which was contributed by the missionaries.

Along with the enjoyable singing of Christmas carols and hymns during the night, we learned two traditional Spanish Christmas songs from other countries; one called Mi Burrito Sabanero that is Mexican, and another called Niño Lindo that I believe comes from Venezuela. Click the links to hear them! Cute songs.

On Christmas morning, many of the missionaries gathered for a little history review in the Parque Tres de Febrero near our apartments, the location of the original apostolic dedication of South America on Christmas Day 1925. It was fun for me to share with them some of what I've researched since being here.

Some of the missionaries, in front of the monument to Elder Melvin J. Ballard in Parque Tres de Febrero

After we'd all gone back to our apartments to chat with our far-away families and enjoy interacting via the wonders of technology, we gathered one more time for a Christmas afternoon social. There was a great pot-luck dinner (always gotta be eating!), more fun and games, and other entertainment.

Bonnie made some traditional Argentina "empanadas" but with a twist—cherry cheesecake filling! They were a hit!

Missionaries currently serving in the area office:

Legal:
Sam & Jean Roser
Scott & Jeanine Salmon
Ralph & Claudia Jordan

Medical:
Peter & Barbru Nielsen
Greg & Pam Keyes

Counseling:
Pauly & Xio Brown
Greta Shumway

Audit:
Lee & Nancy Snedaker

Public Affairs:
Kent & Winnie Burton

Open Houses:
Doug & Martha Patten

Technology:
Warren & Lynette Child

Executive Secretary:
Spencer & Joyce Jones
Michael & Iva Hawkins

David & Colleen Smith (recently released)

Humanitarian Services:
David & Bonnie Kenison