Claudia, Gabriel, Clyde - Christmas 2010

Clyde 2011

Gabriel Fall 2011

Samuel, Carolyn, Stephen & Gabe, Clyde, Claudia 2011

Lilly 2011

First an update on our growing family. Clyde is now retired from public education. It was, says he, a good time to retire. Claudia and Clyde are both still working with developmentally and mentally disabled children. Claudia is about to finish off some education and use her professional degree for a professional position in the company we both work for. Stephen is still at home and mostly stays to himself downstairs in his basement bedroom. He has been promoted at work and, though the pay is not at a professional level, he is enjoying more freedom to help customers at the call center. He still loves video games, Japanese anime, and is still looking for a coding position that fits his CS credentials. Carolyn and Sam and their one-year-old, Lilly, live just down the street in an apartment complex. We see Carolyn much more often than we see Samuel. And sometimes we get to see our granddaughter. A new development is that Carolyn is now pregnant again. Gabriel, our little six-year-old is still full of energy and can be a lot of fun. We love him a lot and are thankful for his growth both physically, mentally, and emotionally.


Christmas is truly a wonderful holiday season!! I have always loved Christmas - the lights, the trees, the ornaments, the decorations, the music, and Santa Claus. Every Christmas I am excited about what gifts I can give to others. This is strange when I really stop to think about it. From the time I was small Christmas was always all the above and, most importantly, the gifts I was going to receive.

Why and how has the emphasis on what everyone is giving to me gone away?

I am not certain what the answer is to this question. There could be several fitting responses. One might be that I am too old to care about what anyone is giving me. Another might cite the fact that I already have so much stuff that I can hardly manage what I already have. How about the suggestion that I am so focused on helping others that I do not have time to worry about what I am getting? Or how about the guilt that I feel every time I look at Christmas as a time to get more of the stuff I want, knowing, to be sure, that Christmas is about Christ and not about me or my stuff?

One thing is certain, something has changed in my life. It has happened slowly and deliberately, without any doubt, guided by the Lord, Jesus Christ, whose sacred priesthood I hold, and whom I strive to serve by serving others each day of my life.

At this time of the year, we celebrate his birth approximately 2,000 years ago in a far away town known as Bethlehem, where Joseph and Mary had traveled to pay taxes to a foreign ruler named Caesar Augustus. As an aside I find it interesting that even in antiquity the certainties of life were already birth, death, and taxes. At the same time I marvel that such a seemingly insignificant and humble beginning of life eventually led to both Jewish and Roman trials and the Roman crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Why crucify the son of a carpenter for preaching principals of love and forgiveness? How could this person be important enough to merit such attention?

Eventually, after his death, Christ's apostles and disciples began spreading the good news throughout the known world. There was much persecution, but Christianity even became the state religion of the Roman Empire in about 330 A.D. Now Christianity exists in almost every part of the known world. It is the dominant religious faith in the Americas, in Europe, and in most of the former Soviet Union.

Unfortunately, the word "faith" used in the above context, refers mainly to organized Christianity, and not to how faithful its members are. For in the past century many of the teachings of the Savior have been tossed aside in favor of other interests by the general population of supposed Christians. Teachings on chastity and morality are, in particular, under the most challenge at this time, and instead of love of their fellow beings, people are siding against each other viciously and hatred seems rampant.

And yet I am so thankful for all my family and friends whom I know have exercised great faith in the Savior in doing their best to live his commandments and bring peace and joy into the lives of others. This is what He wants us to do - serve each other. His laws are laws of love.

One cannot be a true Christian without loving and serving others generously. The Lord has given us all that we have in this mortal existence, and he has commanded us to love and share and serve one another. Unless we do this, we are not His disciples or followers.

In the past year I have been through some trials. My faith has been greatly tested. My devotion to principles taught by Jesus Christ has been demanded. I have faltered and have found myself returning to succeed - returning to my senses, so to speak.

Christmas is about love and service and caring. I am so thankful to understand the very essence of Christmas. And I will do my best to always keep Christmas all the year around.


Claudia and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!