As I type, Alyssa is singing sweetly on the floor at my feet
“Heavenly Father, are you really there?” in her sweet innocent voice that
touches my heart and I feel peace despite the troubling times we live in. Fortunately this really has been a peaceful
happy year for our family.
Jared really enjoys his profession as a counselor at LDS
Family Services. He especially loves
running a group for those struggling with addiction & seeing the hope and
peace that repentance brings to those he works with. Our Sundays became a lot more “restful” when he was released from
the Bishopric last year. He enjoyed
serving as the Stake Sunday School President for a short time but was recently
called as a High Councilor. He enjoys
having the opportunity to speak in different church services often. In November he enjoyed going on an
“adventure” for Mitt Romney’s campaign (expenses paid trip) to Las Vegas with
his dad to help encourage registered Republicans to vote, but the bus ride home
was a bit deflating when they heard the campaign results. He loved helping coach both Jacob and
Daniel’s football teams & helped them train for wresting season early in
the mornings.
Heidi was called to be a counselor in the Relief Society
Presidency this fall. Her first HUGE assignment
was to get the ward cookbook completed in time for Christmas. It took a lot of
time, but what she really loves is teaching Relief Society and going on visits
to the sisters in their homes. She
feels fortunate to be able to be a Stay at home mom. She enjoys teaching piano and learning from fellow bloggers
(heidispianonotes.blogspot.com). She
has been very inspired as she has compiled stories and pictures about our ancestors
for our new family history blog (nealfamilyhistory.blogspot.com).
Rebecca (12) got her most expensive (early) Christmas
present this year…..BRACES just a few days ago! That scratched about half of her Christmas wish list off because
she was hoping for taffy, twizzlers and a long list of other sticky treats L. At least she still gets to enjoy her mashed
potatoes J. She has straight A’s and is super
conscientious about her homework. She
loved going to Girls camp for the first time this summer and is getting a
reputation for being an awesome babysitter around the neighborhood. She really enjoys kids and is a great help
around the home. She also reads cooking
and craft blogs and has become a pinterest fan along with Heidi.
Jacob (10) excelled
on the defense in flag football this summer and enjoyed attending football
summer camp with his best friend Tanner.
He caught an interception and ran it in for a touchdown and helped his
team have an undefeated season. He’s
excited to start playing in pads next year.
His favorite books are Geronimo Stilton, although watching football
highlights on youtube is much more exciting.
He was excited to get a job mowing lawns over the summer for the
neighbors.
Daniel (8) was baptized this fall and started Scouts. He loves football as much as his brother
Jacob and its fun to see them improving their skills playing together in the
backyard. He was excited to “train” for
the school’s fun run this year with Jared in the wee hours of the morning. He placed 3rd in his grade. He inspires us with his journal entries
about gospel principles and is a great teacher and leader in family night.
Emily (6) started first grade in the fall and I (and Alyssa) miss having her around during
the day. She played soccer this fall,
but decided that she’d rather have more free time to play with friends than have
to rush to soccer practices after school.
She is such a peacemaker in our home and loves looking pretty as a
princess.
Alyssa Kathryn (2) keeps us all hopping with her curiosity
and imagination. She loves to sing
around the house and can entertain herself well… she just chooses “forbidden”
toys like glue and makeup and food from the pantry a little too often when your
not looking. She loves to run around in
her birthday suit although she teaches her baby dolls that’s not
appropriate. She loves nursery and
singing primary songs.
Joshua (9 months) is our “little bear.” He makes the cutest low growling sounds and
has lately had fun discovering his voice. He was army crawling for quite a
while but finally can do the real crawl very quickly. Jacob nicknamed him Bobby and that’s what his siblings now call
him half the time. He doesn’t care for
baby food much but is eager to pop any tidbits of trash he finds on the floor
into his mouth. He is such delightful little boy!
We feel so fortunate to have good friends and family both
near and far. We hope you enjoy a peaceful Christmas as you reflect on the life
and teachings of the “Prince of Peace.”
I love this thought by Elder Wirthlin. “The value of peace within
our hearts cannot be measured. When we are at peace, we can be free of worry
and fear, knowing that with the Lord’s help, we can do all that is expected or
required of us. We can approach every day, every task, and every challenge with
assurance and confidence in the outcome. We have freedom of thought and action,
freedom to be happy.” -Joseph B Wirthlin.
Wishing a merry peaceful Christmas!
Love,
The Neal Family
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