Christmas Zone Conference

Christmas celebrating in the mission is different from last year.  All the Christmas packages are supposed to go to the missionaries in their own apartments, though I have my doubts as to how that will go judging by the number of boxes that have already arrived in the mission office....

Last year we had an all-mission Christmas gathering.  This year we had two zone conferences with half of the missionaries in each conference.  I got to pack up the gifts for the missionaries from the President and his family...a small job.  I also got to prepare and preside over a hot chocolate bar.

Here is a picture of the Christmas packages that were put in the back of the mission pickup truck.

Don't you just love apple boxes?!!  They are sturdy and tall enough for gift bags without mashing the handles.

The hot chocolate bar was mostly a success.  The first day I had plugged the two hot water urns into a power strip.  I did not learn until the activity was almost complete that the water was only lukewarm.  It had been hot at the beginning, but apparently the power strip was tripped by the two urns and shut off. I did not notice this and no one mentioned the water was not hot to me.  However, the second day I move the table close enough to the wall that we could plug directly into the outlet.  This time the issue was the opposite:  I was concerned the water would be boiling hot, so I unplugged for fifteen minutes.

For toppings we had canned whipped cream-very popular, also mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, evaporated milk, hazelnut creamer, mini candy canes, and peanut butter.  Almost everyone was flabbergasted to have peanut butter but everyone who tried it seemed to like it.

The sacred program of music and speakers was touching and inspiring.