For some reason, I am having trouble coming up with something funny (except for the above picture) or profound to say this Christmas season. LeeAnne, in her planning mode, has already finished decorating the house, ordered the Christmas cards, and finished her shopping. Traditionally, she left it up me to put some thoughts and perspective on this Christmas season to words on the blog.
But first, if I may, let me update everyone on what we like to call ourselves, The Walker 6.
David C. - This year has been an interesting one for many reasons. My employer of almost 13 years, Caparo, is closing its doors. In June, I made the jump as the company went up for sale for the 4th time. I worked for a brief time at a firm in Madison Heights, but after only a few short months, the long drive was taking its toll. I have since landed at Chrysler and so far, so very good. I am profoundly grateful for the support of my family during the transistions. Also, I can't thank those enough who helped me, recommended me and just listened as I sought advise on what do to.
LeeAnne is the Stake Young Women's secretary and able to balance it all. She is still running and working out and although not training for a specific event, she could run circles around anyone of us. She started the Insanity training program and simply looks fantastic. She is the glue that keeps us together. I don't know where I would be without her.
Madeline - Maddy is a Sophomore in high school. She is driving now, using her learner's permit as much as possible. We have a "new" "family" car, a red Saturn Ion, that she has taken stewardship over. She affectionately calls it Rudolph (as in Rudolph the red nosed reindeer) or Rudy for short. I just wish I could get her to clean it.
Savannah is a freshman and is heavily involved in theater and singing. She had the lead roles in two plays this year, in Mulan and Cinderella and performed beatifully. She is a stellar student and reads voraciously. She and LeeAnne dragged me to a preview showing of Breaking Dawn Part II. Everyone survived.
Jonah hit a huge milestone this year. He turned 12 and was ordained a Deacon. It is nice having two Priesthood holders in the house. He loves camping and Boy Scouts. He is trying out for sports and recently began playing the guitar.
Abigail - This is her year for gymnastics. She has been progressing so well.
LeeAnne and I are very proud of our children and for what they have accomplished during the year. We have had so much fun together with friends and family. There have been "moments" when things were not so rosy, but we are working every day to get it "right."
We, as a family, are grateful for the Christmas season. If it was up to Madeline, there would be at least one radio station playing Christmas music all year round. One of my favorite hymns that I love to listen to is O Holy Night. Here are the words from the first verse.
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
You can look up the second and third verses, but this one says so much. Each phrase is applicable to today. What will we be thinking about on that day when we celebrate the Saviour's birth? O Holy Night is a song of hope, a song of faith, it is a song of celebration. As life and the world tend to pile things on "Long lay the world in sin and error pining" this song gives me hope, hope that someday "for yonder breaks a new glorious morn." I hope that me, my family and dear friends will be among those that "Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!" that on that divine night, we will remember the night when Christ was born and those memories will continue to give us strength, not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year. Jesus Christ was born into this world to pave the way for us to return to our Father in Heaven. Through Him, we have "a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices."
Our hope and prayer is that as we celebrate this Christmas day, we will be able to understand the divine mission of Him, whose birthday we honor, that we can apply the atonement each and everyday so that someday soon, when He returns, we will fall on our knees. But instead of being ashamed, we will be able to look up and hear the angel voices and look into His eyes.
We are profoundly grateful to our Father in Heaven, to put His faith in us, that we can follow His son's plan and return someday to live with Him, together as a family.
As the fearless leader of the Walker 6, my wish to everyone is to have a Merry Christmas. As we celebrate our Saviour's birth, remember not only this moment in history, but His life that He lived. He is our Saviour and we celebrate His life.
Merry Christmas to all!
