Advent Day 11 - Put some presents under the tree + open one present & Elder Russell M. Nelson's visit

We put some presents under the tree and the boys got to open one present together. It was from Zach and Aubree (they had our name this year in the sibling gift exchange). The present was "Elf on the Shelf." The boys loved it. I was surprised that Lucas had already heard about it at school. Some of my siblings' kids have Elf on the Shelf so we are excited to participate.




On a more spiritual note, we had Stake Conference today. The boys got to shake hands with Elder Russell M. Nelson after the meeting. He was visiting along with George M. Kiehl for our Stake Conference. Elder Nelson is friends with Doug's father and step-mother (they were in the same ward for years in Utah) as well as Doug's grandfather (they went to medical school together). Also, Doug and I had the opportunity to visit with Elder Nelson before we were married at a family wedding 11 years ago.

We explained what an apostle is to Lucas and he was excited to meet him. Lucas and Sam both met Elder Holland in NYC in 2008 (November 23rd) when Sam was not even 3 weeks old. Doug was working with the Public Affairs Committee as part of his assignment on the High Council, when Elder Holland came for a special meeting for our entire Stake. I remember taking the boys on the subway in the snow to 34th Street where we met in the Hammerstein Ballroom. Doug was already there, so it was quite a trek for me, but Julianne, Scott, and Sarah were there too. Afterward, we were able to meet him and talk to him for a few minutes. It was a special event and I wrote about it in my journal. I will do the same today. My favorite part of Elder Nelson's message today was when he had all of the primary children stand on their chairs and wave their arms. Then he spoke to them. Lucas listened intently. It has been a wonderful day for us.

And one funny story from Stake Conference:
Our Stake President was thanking the congregation for working on the goal to "Come Unto Christ Every Day" (the stake theme/goal for 2011). He then went on to say that the daily things we must do in order to accomplish this are not easy. He said, "It's hard to do. I know that." Sam then said loudly, "I know that, too." People around us got a good laugh. I thought it was funny that Sam was listening enough to respond.