Friday, December 8, 2017

Christmas Anticipation ~


Are you running to and fro doing your Christmas shopping and celebrating? Are we having fun yet? I am more like yikes; stressed out. I don't think that is the way it is supposed to be. We should just be basking away in the everyday moments of serving, loving and caring for others. I find the season to be exciting and fun but also a lot of work. We must slow down and just do the small and meaningful things to #lighttheworld 

We have the opportunity of going to Hawaii for Christmas this year. That is part of my stress; getting Christmas ready for the family here and packing to go there. We are thrilled to spend it with our daughter and her family from Australia. She is moving back to the states which makes us very happy. We will spend about 12 total days there. I know that it will seem very different from the traditional Christmases that I love. I like all the family get-togethers, parties, the nativity, the decorated tree, the beautifully wrapped gifts and etc. I love the giving of gifts to one another and enjoyable moments of service to others.   
With that being said, I love Christmas and I wanted to do a short Christmas post. 
Here is my Christmas Letter to all of my marvelous friend and family that read my blog. 
May you all know the love I have in my heart for each of you. 

The year of 2017 was a memorable one. We continued to serve in our full-time MLS mission and were released in September. We experienced two remarkable years.  We'll forever cherish our memories of that work. We met and taught so many families and individuals that we grew to love deeply. They will forever remain sweet friends. 
We look forward to returning to temple service in 2018. Prior to our release LeAnn received a call to serve as Stake Relief Society President. To say the least, she was shocked and humbled. So, busy days and nights continue. 
In March we received our 5th Great Grandchild; a sweet little one named Katalina Williams born to our Grandson Jacob and his darling wife Dana Williams.
We celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 13th. Our children planned a wonderful celebration for us with family and friends. All of our children were able to be there. It was a landmark moment in our lives. 
 We have blessed with  6 wonderful children and spouses, 32 Grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. We have been greatly blessed in so many ways.
We’re especially grateful for all of our wonderful family and friends. May your homes and hearts be filled with the Savior’s light and love as you celebrate this Christmas season. Enjoy your moments together with family and friends. We invite you to reflect upon our Redeemer’s love for all.
Love, Roger and LeAnn Williams

“The same God that placed that star over Bethlehem gave equal attention in placing each of us here at this time and in these circumstances, to give light, life, and inspiration. May we illuminate our lives so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.”   Elder Neal a Maxwell

My next blog post will be some photos here and there from Christmas in Hawaii. 
Check out these links for some awesome thoughts and videos~
                            #sharethegift   #lighttheworldvideos  #asaviorisborn
Remember Light The World by giving for 25 days in 25 ways This Christmas Season. You can find the ideas here at #lighttheworld #lightheworld

9 comments:

Barb said...

Hi LeAnn~

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for our family. They will be searching again today, and we hope that they will be successful in finding them. Chris called Amber last night and wanted to have all of us with them tonight, they truly need the support. We are bringing dinner down and hopefully it will give them a little distraction. Maybe I can talk Christian into playing his guitar... ;0)

I loved this post! Isn't the, Light the World wonderful?! I love that we can join the whole world in celebrating the birth of the, Savior, and in serving one another.

I'm so excited for your trip to, Hawaii!! What an amazing experience you will have, I hope that you just soak in all the wonderful sights, smells and sounds of the islands, and please bring some of that home and send it our way! I'm so glad that Christina and Brandon will be coming home to stay, I know that you have missed them terribly; Australia is such a long way from Utah! Before too long, all of you children will be within driving distance, what a wonderful thought!!

Merry Christmas to you, LeAnn. I hope you know what a special friend you are to me, and how much I love you and cherish the family that we share. Please be safe and come home with a suntan!!

Hugs and Love,
Barb

Marie Rayner said...

Happy Christmas LeAnn! I hope you and Roger have a lovely blessed time with your daughter and her family in Hawaii! It will be different, but I know that you will have the true Spirit of Christmas with you so it will still be pretty wonderful! You've had such a busy couple of years, so enjoy this lovely time away and rest and relax! Love and hugs! xoxo

Diane said...

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful time in Hawaii. I agree with you that we should slow down a bit at Christmas time. It's easier to worship when we let go of all the bust stuff.

Marsha said...

H.A.W.A.I.I! What an opportunity and fun way to share the Light of the World with others so far away. What a joyous time of the year. Even though you are going to Hawaii, I hope you continue to still do Christmas (decorate, gifts, etc.) before you leave. It would be nice to have a beautiful tree, all decorated, to come home to...giving you joy and memories of family and friends.
How exciting that your daughter and her family will be coming home...EEEKKK!
Wishing you the best this Holiday Season.
Take Care, my Friend - Marsha

Debbie said...

beautiful thoughts and reminders leann!!! in our families, we only shop for the little ones, i have 4 (3 great nieces and 1 great nephew) and i buy for my 2 sons and their girls)!!!

it's stress free and they are so much fun to buy for!!

have fun in hawaii - i am so happy for you!!

Tracy said...

Oh, my friend... We're sharing similar thoughts and feelings these days. Just today I posted something very similar to this! ;) Life has been sooo full lately, in good ways mostly, but it's been hard keeping a balance of things. I don't deal with stress too well, so it's been a challenging time. Trying to keep in tune with Jesus--"the reason for the season"--helps my heart... Oh, but it is sooo exciting your trip to Hawaii for Christmas!! That is a BIG WOW!! :) I'm so glad you'll be able to share this time with your daughter and family--and that they will be moving back Stateside! So many BIG blessings for you & yours this year, LeAnn...God is sooo GOOD!! Wishing you, Roger, and all your family all the very best as we soon welcome Our Saviour! A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS... safe travels... And I look forward to sharing a new year along with you! :) With MUCH LOVE, In Christ, Tracy OXOX P.S. The decorated palm is fantastic... LOL!

Galen Pearl said...

Christmas in Hawaii--that is a gift in itself! Christmas is easy for me--I've turned everything over to the kids. Merry Christmas to you and your family, LeAnn.

Susan Anderson said...

May you have a warm and wonderful Christmas with your family...I know you will! (How can you miss?)

We are really looking forward to ours, as all our children but one will be here, and Karin's twins make everything extra special. I have put up a Christmas Eve story on my blog, if you are so inclined.

Merry Christmas, friend!

=)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, LeAnn! Have fun in Hawaii!