It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas in Santiago. Our home in Utah has more snow than we have ever seen but we are used to warm Christmases growing up in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. When we lived in Phoenix, we found this Christmas poem by an unknown author.
The visitor sadly shook his head as he basked in the tropical sun.
“Call this Christmas?” to me he said, “Well not where I come from.”
“Christmas needs snow and ice and cold, and the sound of the sleighbells ring.
As for me, I can’t be cold in weather that feels like Spring.
Santa Claus in a bathing suit? No sir, it just isn’t right.
Cranberry sauce and tropical fruit. I think it’s an awful fright.”
“My poor misguided friend,” I said, “Your lament does not ring true.
You’re mixed up by the things you read from a myth you take your clue
For no snow fell on Bethlehem on the night the star first shone.
There was no blizzard nor howling gale that swept with a shriek and a moan.
The breezes were soft and what is more, the night the Christ child came,
Hibiscus bloomed near the stable door as Mary murmured his name.
Bougainvillea of a violet hue arched in a graceful bower,
Poinsettias wet with the midnight dew enhanced that sacred hour.
The heavenly host in the sky proclaimed the birth of the King
And rustling palms echoed the cry as the whole earth seemed to sing
We find here in our sun-drenched land, untouched by the ice and snow
That the spirit of Christmas is near at hand, and we feel God willed it so.
We made Chinese Chews for our neighbors and office friends. They were a big hit as no one knows what a graham cracker is here in Chile. We found them at our Costco-like store here.
We participated in the virtual Area Christmas Devotional with missionaries and church employees from Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. We sang in the choir and Elder Lamb accompanied one of the hymns. This was the Chilean soprano section.
OUTINGS AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
We spent most of our time in the office this week doing paperwork to close out the year. One advantage of having our office next door to the temple is that when friends come to the temple, they stop by to say hello. We enjoyed our own weekly temple trip as well.
On Wednesday we drove south for 2 ½ hours south to deliver repurposed church computers to the department of health in Molina. They were received with gratitude.
On Friday we visited a manufacturing site in Santiago that produces Oxygen Plants to discuss next year’s project for the department of health on Juan Fernandez Island.
Friday night dinner date with Elder and Hermana Lindquist
FIRES
We are working on two emergency projects for people who have lost their homes in fires this week. A heat wave has exacerbated several forest fires that are burning close to Santiago.
FLASHBACK
We just received the photo of us with the Santiago East missionaries from Elder Renlund’s visit on November 12.
We are scurrying to be ready to receive our family for Christmas. We feel so blessed to have all 15 of them join us in Chile to celebrate this most joyous holiday. The first group arrives tonight. The rest will trickle in through the week and by next Saturday we will all be together.
May you find joy in gathering with those you love during this Christmas season.
Abrazos, Élder y Hermana Lamb, (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 