Barnyard Devotional

The Roberts in our ward are a tremendous family. Tonight we had a devotional in their barn. Which I might add is the coolest barn I have ever seen and has been the set for Touched by an Angel and Baptists at the Barbeque. Most of the kids rode on the back of a trailer to the barn, as soon as they got to the home they all hushed and were silent. There was hay bails to sit on and they covered themselves with blankets.

Sis Potter sang aloft the staircase in white and set the tone for a nice spiritual night. Pres Hawkes spoke about Christmas and giving. He told a story of Pres. Monson and how a rich, well to do ward wanted to do a sub for santa to the ward he was bishop of that was not as well to do. Pres. Monson agreed but only if the youth would give a gift of their own, something that meant a lot to them. The gifts were given to a newly immigrated German family who had little or nothing. Not a word was spoken as the youth left the gracious family. The benediction was given by a young woman when they got back to their ward who thanked Heavenly Father for allowing them the best Christmas ever.

The Bishop followed with a letter from an Elder from our ward who told of picking up a Bulgarian who spoke no Hungarian and little English at the border of Hungary. The border patrol didn't quite know what to do for her. They took her to her flight to Germany where she would be going to the temple. In her limited English she expressed that God loved her and she had a testimony.

One of the Stake YM Presidency played the guitar, quite a talent in the freezing weather, and sang his own Christams tune, which was really good. I would love a copy of it. We all sang Silent Night and were done. Downed a few hot chocolates and talked to the priests before going.

It was a really nice program, not long at all(which was good cause my feet were frozen and no one could have taken the cold for much longer). It is nice to have a lot of resources and people, I know what it is like to not have them, so we are very blessed. We have exceptional youth and tremendous people in our neighborhood and ward. It is neat to have such a great ward family.