More Randomness

I know you’re shocked. Me..random? Noooo! That never happens! Haha Well let’s start with Primary. I’m a teacher in Primary (the organization in our church for children.) Primary has quarterly activities and we just had one this past month. It was so cute! The focus was on oranges. Here is the story that the kids were taught.

Jake was nine years old with tousled brown hair with blue eyes as bright as a heavenly angel. For as long as Jake could remember he had lived within the walls of a poor orphanage. He was just one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in a continuous struggle seeking donations from townsfolk.
There was very little to eat, but at Christmas time there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, the orphanage seemed a little warmer, and it was time for a little holiday enjoyment. But more than this, there was the Christmas orange!
Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child like no other food admiring it, feeling it, prizing it and slowly enjoying each juicy section. Truly, it was the light of each orphan's Christmas and their best gift of the season. How joyful would be the moment when Jake received his orange!
Unknown to him, Jake had somehow managed to track a small amount of mud on his shoes through the front door of the orphanage, muddying the new carpet. He hadn't even noticed. Now it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment. The punishment was swift and unrelenting. Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would receive from the harsh world he lived in, yet after a year of waiting for his Christmas orange, is was to be denied him.
Tearfully, Jake pleaded that he be forgiven and promised never to track mud into the orphanage again, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn't want to be with a boy who had been punished with such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family marooned on an island. Jake wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him.
Bedtime came, and worst of all, Jake couldn't sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as his, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him.
As he climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched Jake's shoulder, startling him momentarily and an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know!
Looking closely at it in the dim light, he saw that it looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a special orange, very special. Inside a patched together peal were the segments of nine other oranges, making one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious oranges to make a whole orange as a gift for Jake.
Sharing what we truly value is the true spirit of Christmas. Our Heavenly Father gave us His beloved Son. May we, like the children in the orphanage, find ways to share His love with others less blessed.

I loved that story. It made me tear up as usual! The kids also played games, made ornaments to give to others, made an Advent calendar, and helped make blankets for children who are staying at the Ronald McDonald house. It was great. O.k., so there were only like eight kids there, and most of them were boys. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of kids, but let me tell you! I was absolutely exhausted after the activity! After I got home Casey watched the baby as I napped.

That night I had the privilege of going to see the musical South Pacific. It was AMAZING! I went with a bunch of my girlfriends one of which bought the ticket for me. Isn’t that so kind? It was a girls night out, so Casey kept the baby at home. I was not looking forward to leaving her for so long, but she, of course, did fine with her daddy. I did NOT know how much I needed that night out! I haven't been to a musical like that since Casey and I first starting dating, and we went to see Beauty and the Beast. I LOVED South Pacific! I never saw the movie, so I didn’t know what to expect. It was SO romantic! This is what the posters looked like to advertise it.

One of the coolest things that happened was that we were walking out to go to our cars when we looked around, and right behind us was the lead male role! Also in front of us was another main character!! We could not believe it! My friend and I were talking (not whispering) saying, “Is that really him?!” “No, it’s not.” “Yes, it is!” O.k. granted he was about ONE FOOT behind us! I guess I was a little star struck! Haha What a blast I had. It was good for the soul.

We had the best Thanksgiving ever!! Casey and I kept getting teary eyed thinking about our biggest blessing that we received this year…our little Stella. She loved her first Thanksgiving, too, and got to try some tasty Thanksgiving food. We started off the day going to a Turkey Bowl with a bunch of guys from the Church. There were a couple girls playing, too, but I had no desire to play. Stella was SO mad a me! I bundled her up so much that she couldn’t move. She was mad the whole time! She wouldn’t even smile at me, and she usually smiles all the time. There were times when she wouldn’t even look at me! It was kind of funny. Casey played really good, and he was MVP to us! He made three touchdowns!

After that, we went home, and watched Santa come into town at the Macy’s parade. Stella loved it! We then cooked, ate, and just enjoyed what we are so grateful for…each other. We sure did miss our family in Ohio though!

Last Friday Casey and I went on our first date night since Stella has been born! Needless to say it was long overdue! Our friends were so kind to watch her while we went to go see a movie, and go to dinner. We went to go see New Moon. Isn’t my husband wonderful to go see it with me? It was really good! Of course the book is always better than the movie, but I thought they did a great job! I do have to say that I am now half Team Edward, and half Team Jacob. Casey was Team Jacob (basically because so many women are Team Edward,) but now he’s Team Edward because he said that Jacob is annoying now. Haha After the movie we went to one of my most favorite restaurants, Pizza Hut. I’m high maintenance, huh? Haha It was wonderful to spend time with him, and it was wonderful when Stella was back with us, too!