Our Chapel in the Woods

I had a front row seat at church today. I even played the piano and gave the benediction. I've always felt at home in church, but never more than today. Today our home was church.

The blowing snow effectively shut down the Northwest and we felt like pioneers, worshipping together in our home. Our children asked for and planned the service; they even printed out programs.

Note the "Maybe talk" by the concluding speaker.

I was greeted at the door of the chapel by a smiling seven-year old.

The chapel wasn't ornate, but was sporting a lovely new wood floor. (Still need to put up the base boards, but it was worth my sore shoulder, don't you think?)

Maya arrived, dressed in an outfit she'd carefully selected for the Sabbath. Thank goodness we're staying home.

Madeline led the music and the congregation graciously ignored the repeated missed B flats in "Angels We Have Heard on High". Lyle blessed the sacrament and Adam passed it.

Abby presented her talk, using numerous visual aids. She mentioned stockings and elves and reindeer and presents but then she said that's not the pacific reason for Christmas. "There was a star, bigger than anyone had ever seen...

And an angel appeared to shepherds and said, 'I bring unto you good tidings of great joy. For unto you a Savior is born. Even Christ the Lord.'"

Abby finished her talk with a picture of our family. She said Jesus wants us always to remember the baby born at Christmas. Madeline read a story called "Room for a Little One" and asked if we'd made room in our hearts for the Savior. Adam spoke on giving of ourselves. Our concluding speaker, Sister Maya Qiu wandered through many topics, but we did hear, "Jesus was born." It was lesson enough. Thank you kids, pacifically Adam, Madeline, Abby and Maya.