Simple Gifts at Christmas Time

Simple Gifts at Christmas Time

Our recent Relief Society Christmas Program was themed, “Simple Gifts.” As I reflected on our past year at this Christmas season, I recognized many simple gifts in our lives.

These United States: This summer we had a chance to drive to Washington State, where we held the Flake Family reunion, visited Danielle, Steve and grandbaby Alexa, in Portland, then back to St. George. We then continued across the vast United States as we moved Lindsey and her new husband, Carlton Taylor out to Philadelphia, PA where Carlton will be attending Dental School for four years. It is awesome to get an up close and personal look at each state as we drove through. We enjoyed a day trip to NYC to see all the sites and to attend the Manhattan temple. Carlton is from Pleasant Grove, UT and a recent graduate of BYU Hawaii. Carlton and Lindsey both served in the Vancouver, Canada mission. He is a welcome addition to our family.

Missionary Service: Dawson will mark his one year of service in the California, San Jose mission this month. Not only is he growing as he studies and shares the gospel message, but our family receives blessings from his service as well. Danielle serves as a ward missionary in Portland and Carlton and Lindsey have been instrumental in several baptisms in their Philadelphia ward already. Andrew, 16, is fellow shipping a non-member and sets a great example to all.

Temple Blessings: My mom and dad continue to have good health and are able to serve weekly in the Logan temple. Dan’s mother lives across the street from the St. George temple and works there weekly and spends the rest of her time indexing records for the church. (She’s addicted!) We all fight over who gets to do the dishes at her home because you get to stand and look across the road at the temple while you wash them. We were able to help put the lights up on the temple grounds recently and enjoy our monthly ward temple nights on a more regular basis now that Dan is in the ward bishopric. Our ward has been abundantly blessed as we average about 40 people in attendance each month on temple night.

Pay It Forward: We were given free tickets to the recent BYU vs U of U game from friends whom we had provided service for recently. This week I donated money to help needy students at my school have a little Christmas and the same day we were driving down a busy road and Dan spotted a bill on the side of the road. I hesitated to pull over for what was most likely not anything; but it turned out to be a $100. bill… just what I had donated.

Service: I continue to enjoy the joy of serving as compassionate service leader and feel the joy of welcoming new babies, caring for the sick and being blessed by helping to lift a neighbor’s burden. Our family always enjoys our tradition of serving lunch at the Soup Kitchen on Christmas Eve. May you find someone you can lend a hand to this Season of Giving.

Family and Friends: Our greatest gifts are those of our friends and loved ones. Thank you for your examples, goodness, and love and for sharing treasured lifelong memories. We sincerely hope that you will recognize the simple gifts that you are blessed with at this Holiday Season and all year long.

Much love, Dan and Shelly Flake and family (more news and photos at danflakefamily.blogspot.com)