A Merry Missionary Christmas Dinner and Songfest!

Last night, December  21, the Manhattan Temple presidency, all eight couples and our two single sister missionaries, plus two public affairs missionary couples gathered in the Bennion apartment for a lovely dinner.  The menu comprised baked ham, cheesy potatoes (made 4 recipes), Christmas strawberry salad (our family favorite), green bean casserole, homemade rolls topped off by a dessert of warm apple pudding cake with caramel sauce and whipped cream.  No calories here.  Steve and I definitely added a few calories to the scales.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

President Steve Bennion gave us a wonderful Christmas message, plus an update on our recent (last Saturday) quick visit by Elder Todd Christofferson, apostle, who made a very quick trip to our temple to seal his niece and fiance'.  President Bennion learned that President Thomas Monsen is still very mentally sharp concerning the issues of the Church but is in a wheelchair much of the time because of the diabetes affecting his feet. It was wonderful to hear "news" from home.

Afterwards, we gathered in the lobby of the 2 Lincoln Square (our "home") and caroled our hearts out!  We even had a looker-on join us in "Joy to the World!" What a wonderful evening of congeniality, conversation and reflection.

The Group!! I am hidden behind Steve.

Steve and Marj Bennion are to the left...Front foyer of our "home away from home"