First major snow storm of the season.

We had our first major snowstorm of the season which left 2-3 inches of snow on our lawn. When we went to the Jordan River Temple Saturday morning to do sealings it was still relatively warm and sunny but then the storm blew in. We spent Saturday afternoon bottling apple slices from our yellow delicious apple tree and listening to Christmas carols while watching the snow fall. This year was the best apple harvest we've ever had. The apples are big and sweet with hardly any wormholes. We will get at least 14 quarts of apple slices for apple crisp or pie.

Today John sang at both the ARTEC Branch and our Spanish Branch. The ARTEC Branch provides religious services for juvenile offenders and is under the jurisdiction of of our West Jordan River Stake. It brought back a lot of memories from our four years serving at the Olympus Branch at the Utah State Prision. John sang well both time. At ARTEC I had only a mini-keyboard to accompany him so it was a pleasure to have the grand piano in our chapel for the second time.

We both taught lessons today. John always makes detailed preparation and gives excellent lessons. This week he taught about the spirit of Elijah and there were many spiritual experiences shared. Serving in the Training Zone of our mission has blessed us to witness miracles and spiritual experiences on a weekly if not daily basis, if not with our own family history, then with our students or with other people in the zone. It is not uncommon to find others to whom they are related. Sometimes a person will walk past someone else's computer and be stunned to see exactly the same people listed and they discover they are search for the same people. Sometimes someone will have already thoroughly researched and documented a line and is thrilled to share the information. Often my "only member of the church" students discover that they have other relatives who are members of the church who have submitted information. This is becoming increasing common with new.FamilySearch. Because the submitters have emails it is easy to contact one another. This week Sister Lorraine Whitaker is here as a full time missionary from Kanosh. It has been so pleasant especially for John to catch up on Kanosh and Whitaker family news. Before the end of the year all temple districts except the seven Asian temples will have access to new.FamilySearch. After the Asian Temples districts are online, new.FamilySearch goes to the world. Nonmembers won't have access to ordinance data but they will be able to make contributions and corrections to what is there. More of the patrons at the Family History Library on Temple Square are not members than are members and they come from all over the world. How we appreciate their contributions and expertise.

Next Tuesday I will be taking some of my Young Women to a special regional fireside at West Jordan Middle School with General YW President Elaine Dalton. Our YW took 3rd Place in Regional Volleyball and lost their last game by just two points.

Life moves along so quickly. It is hard to know even what month it is because the days are so much the same. We count our time by Go Forth Days when our FTM (full time missionaries) get their assignments and we all go to the temple together which happens the third Friday of the month. We have 41 FTM's this month. Last month was a mission record of 43 FTM's. Our days are especially full lately as we are doing certification in the British Zone as well as our regular work but it seems that everything we learn, we need to teach or use within a day or two. It is amazing. The walk through Temple Square is fascinating. We had no idea what was involved in putting up the lights and Christmas decorations. The grounds crew has been working on it for months and every day there are new garlands, pre-lit trees, nativity figures, or other elements added to the displays. No detail is overlooked in keeping the area clean, beautiful, and in perfect repair. I'm sure the heated side-walks will be a blessing for snow removal during the winter season.

Mark, Kristilyn, and the boys were over Friday evening. We were looking at some pictures of the nativity scene and asking who the people were. Grant and James were certain that the infant in the pictures was "Baby Kira." She is a beautiful baby and certainly the resemblance was striking. It was fascinating to hear Grant and James say the blessing on the food simultaneously. It was a long prayer and they each had their independent thoughts but they didn't pay particular attention to what the other was saying because each was so intent on expressing his own prayer.

We are grateful for the loving homes that you children have created and for the way that you live the gospel. There is peace and happiness there sprinkled with occasional chaos and challenge. We are grateful that you keep your covenants and are responsible people and serve others. We appreciate the fine examples that you set and we love and honor you. We are appreciate all of our extended family for the love and support the provide for us. Truly we have been born of goodly parents and into goodly families. At this Thanksgiving time we are especially thankful for you.

Love, John and Kathryn Ann