Merry Christmas!

When the three wise men visited the Savior and presented Him with their gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh – have you ever wondered what were done with these tokens of adoration, devotion and love? Perhaps these men arrived with their gifts in time for the Savior and his family to use them in their journey to Egypt - their gifts becoming the means whereby the Savior could flee and be preserved for His mission here on Earth. As we contemplated this aspect of the Christmas story, we reflected on the many gifts that have followed us on our journey through 2011.

Jarrod’s gift of wisdom continues to confound peers and students as he begins his fifth year at Marshall. His love of traveling (and requirement to attend various conferences) allowed his sons to visit Ontario, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Washington D.C., New England and Texas. His love for his sons, evident in all he does, is their gift.

Amy Jo’s gift of motherhood has served the family well. She gifts many with her baking, piano, and service. That she has been gifted a daughter blesses her life on a daily basis. See Amy’s gifted blog at  http://www.schenewarks.blogspot.com/.

Tanner’s gift of intelligence has served him well as he graduated from high school, first in his class, received a Presidential Scholarship, and is in his first year at BYU where he began the chemical engineering program. His gift to others this year will begin soon as he is preparing to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Hunter’s gift of service is well loved by the 70 and older following he has developed as he mows lawns, talks on the phone, empties attics, and visits in the hospital. He also serves as the sophomore class president. Almost every day he golfs in the backyard, in the hopes that golf will become his gift. And in the hope that his father will gift him the wheel, Hunter continues to practice at driving.

Porter’s gift of knowledge carried him through successful quiz bowl competitions, and many around-the-dinner table discussions and trivia contests. His love of music includes teaching himself a number of bugle calls and is now the  bugler for the scout troop (a gift his father has always wanted). This year he hopes for the gift of pole vaulting, and will be gifting special needs children through his Eagle Scout project, Lose the Training Wheels.

Cooper’s gift of creativity pours out from whatever his hands touch. His creations on the Lego table, art easel, chalkboard, clay pile, sketch pad, K’nex, Tinker toys, melting beads, or gingerbread house are artistic and inventive. His love of animals continues as his gift was a new fish tank and fish.

Sawyer’s gifts of athleticism amaze all who see him on the soccer or baseball field, and basketball court. He is a gifted teacher of such skills to his younger brother. Sawyer’s willingness to spend every day after school with Miller is a gift for both boys, as well as Sawyer working hard in cub scouts, finding Hunter’s golf balls, picking up Cooper’s Legos, reading trivia questions to Porter, and calling his Dad on the phone for his Mom.

Miller’s gift of devotion to his brothers and sister continue to unite the family as he plays sports, plays games, or just plays. His attention to Breyer, during the day, is a gift to his mother. Before his fifth birthday party Miller had to learn to stay in his bed all night, a gift to his father.

Breyer’s gift of love is evident when every boy drops what they’re doing to play with her, help her when needed, or just stop to talk. She was loved by over 100 people before she was even born, and continues to share her gift with strangers she meets every day.

With this Christmas season we have often thought of Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.  Do we remember that Scrooge was a most blessed man? Even though he was described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner” he was given the gift that we all can have, the gift to change. May this inspire us all to find those gifts yet untouched, in the hope of giving more to another. We are most grateful for your love and friendship as an immeasurable gift.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Love from the Schenewarks.