Christmas is Here!

Last night was our Christmas Eve Candlelight service here at Sunscape RV Resort.  It was amazing and beautiful and enjoyed by all, especially by those who had never attended a Christmas Eve service before.  The Spirit of Jesus Christ is real and alive.

Friend, Thelma, took our picture in front of the Christmas tree... it's a small tree. :-)

When we got back to the Q, we watched It's a Wonderful Life, a tradition.  Well, I watched the whole movie, Don took a short nap and missed part of it.  He could quote the whole thing anyway.  It's still one of the best Christmas movies ever.

So, now it's Christmas Day and unusually cold for Arizona, 29 degrees when Don got up this morning.  We even had frost on the truck... the truck that I washed yesterday.  I'm sure our friends and family in Oklahoma, under a thick covering of snow this morning, are yawning.

We got ready and headed into Casa Grande to help with the lunch served to anyone who wanted to attend.  It's a beautiful day here (more yawning?) and here's a shot of the Casa Grande Mountains as we drove into town. Sue Rossi has been organizing this meal for 15 years and she does a wonderful job that is greatly appreciated by all who attend.  I didn't take any only took a couple of pictures of the diners as I wanted to respect their privacy, but I did take pictures of the volunteers.  There were six couples from Sunscape there to help.  Here's Marlene helping with olives and pickles.  That's Jack peeking from behind Marlene. 

No, he's not white headed.  That's a kitchen cap.  His wife, Kathy, is trying to sneak out of the picture.  You weren't quite fast enough, Kathy.  (teehee)

Roger arrived at 8:00 this morning and did a great job slicing ham and turkey.

Larry and Larey helped, too, but I just happened to catch them visiting with Don.

Garth and Jack sampling the cookies.  Garth is so sad that they ran out of "kitchen caps!" 

It is just amazing how much work needed to be done this morning to be prepared for the meal to be served at 12:00 and it all came together, even in this small kitchen.  Many volunteered to cook turkeys and hams at their homes and then bring them this morning.  I caught Marlene, Roger, Shari and Leona all hard at work. 

Mrs. Claus showed up to help tie ribbons around the handmade placemats that went with the 180 meals delivered to the shut-ins in the area.  I helped, too!

Proof that Larry and Larey really did work.

Here's Shawn, Larry and Elaine's (in red) son who is visiting for Christmas.  His sons, Brock and Cole, also helped out.

Garth and Don chatting before the doors were opened.  Don and I manned the apples, oranges, and sack lunches "booth."  Everyone got one of each.

Santa Claus showed up for pictures and a delicious meal.

Don got his hands on the camera a few times.

Shari and Leona preparing the tables.

Ready and waiting for the guests.

The tables looked beautiful.  The guests were seated and served.   Don was asked to bless the meal and our time together.

I could not resist this picture during the prayer. It touched my heart.

A fun lover for sure.

Santa about to enjoy his meal.

It's clean up time!  (Ooops, I left the camera with Don again.) Notice the blouse?  My sweet husband took me back to JCP to get it yesterday!

Loaded down with left-over food, we headed back to the Q for a good nap!

We sure miss being with family this Christmas.  Our love and our thoughts are with you all.  We can't help but wish that you were all here and sharing in the experience we had today, serving others.  We are so blessed.