Unusual Blessings.....

Christmas time is a very busy time for most people.  It seems like this year it was especially busy!  I love to decorate.  I love to be creative.  I love to share and work on my talent for those things.  For years I was able to help decorate the Christmas tree at the Washington DC Visitors Center for the Mount Vernon Stake.  I learned so much from my dear friends, Marilyn Wellington and Tammy Nixon.  They are amazing and when it comes to decorating, they are even more than amazing.  I learned attention to detail and how to's that I still use to this day.  I owe a lot of my talent to them.  They taught me so much.  When we moved from the Mount Vernon Stake to the Oakton Stake, I begged to be able to take over the tree.  Nothing had been changed on it in over 30 years.  It was no one's fault.  The system they had was such that no one ever thought to update it.  It was never the same person doing the tree and so there was no one looking out for the ornaments.  They finally let me be in charge of the tree.  The first year, it was so sad.  The ornaments were so old and I added so many of my own things just to make it look like something I could put my name on.  I felt very strongly that the tree needed to come alive.  Thousands and thousands of people attend the Visitors Center in the holiday season and come to see the lights.  I wanted them to feel the spirit and enjoy the tree as they experienced the amazing traditions of the Washington DC Visitor's Center.  I got approval last year to be able to update it.  A very small budget, but I scoured places and bought things on sale and made the star.  People in the Stake were thrilled!  They couldn't believe how nice "our" tree looked!

This year, they did major construction on the Visitor's Center.  There were only a few Stakes chosen to have their trees represented, as there was limited space.  Our stake was chosen.  I had less than a week's notice to put it up because of the construction.  I was excited and very nervous when they showed us the tree we were to decorate.  It was twice the size as last year and right in the main lobby area!  I immediately called the Stake Relief Society president and told her I needed to buy more ornaments.  I also called a few friends and asked if they had any extra ornaments they were willing to part with.  It all came together.  I had enough and the tree looked fabulous!  I know, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father wants people to see these trees and feel the spirit.  It wasn't easy for me to accomplish the task, but he made it possible and I had the faith that he would.  So, here is the tree this year.  I, once again, got many compliments on it.  I cannot take credit though.  I am blessed to be able to share the talents I have been given.  Doing this is a dream come true for me.  I love it. 

 The other event that I have always wanted to be involved in for decorating is the Festival of Lights Ceremony.  Because of my involvement with the Marriott Ranch picnic, we have always been invited to the second evening of the ceremony.  I have always wanted to be able to decorate for the reception.  I helped a few years back and loved it.  It's in my blood, what can I say!??!?!

They finally asked me to do it last year.  I was thrilled, but I had to say no because I was revamping the stake tree.  It was too much work.  I was so sad, but I knew I made the right decision.  They asked me again this year and I did the happy dance!!!!  Now, having said that, I knew it was A LOT of work.  But, I came up with a simple design and proposed it.  They loved it and I ran with it.  Here are a few pictures......

 The first night of the Festival of Lights, Ambassadors from all over the world are invited to listen to a Christmas concert and hear a General Authority speak.  This year it was Elder Russell M. Nelson.  There is a large reception where tons of delicious food made by sisters all over the DC area is served.  My job was to decorate the tables.  I saw these amazing silver branches and fell in love.  I love cardinals and so I use the red and silver colors to decorate.

 Lighted garlands with snowflakes and candy canes completed the red/white/silver theme.

 On the center table where all the plates and napkins are placed, I used these adorable carolers and snow with the lighted trees.

 My cute little assistant wanted her picture taken....

 In the back, they have plates and plates of different cookies and chocolates and yummy desserts.  The branches in the urn were lit and everyone oohed and ached over it.  It was really nice!

 Another dessert/punch table 

 They asked for a wreath of some kind on the pulpit where Elder Nelson was to speak.  Once again, my cute assistant wanted her picture taken!

 After we were done, we had to walk over and inspect the tree.  With so many people coming every night, the ornaments get knocked and touched and moved.  We tweaked it so it looked good again....

 The lighting ceremony was amazing.  It was beautiful.  When you walk outside after the lights come on, it is such an amazing sight.  I try and tell my children how lucky they are that they are able to do these things.  I hope they appreciate it.

 Another weekend, we attended a concert by Jenny Oaks Baker.  Jason played in the concert and so we went to see him play.  We were able to go with our dear friends, Doris and Garrett Janiak.  Notice my kids outfits....we obviously have a standard set of Christmas attire!!!

 Even though it was busy, it was a great holiday season.  We ended up at the Visitor's Center several times, as Jason and Xander both played there this year.  And these are my best Christmas presents of all....

Doing these events are very time consuming and hard to accomplish, but I consider them blessings.  Maybe unusual blessings because it is so much work, but blessings all the same because I have always wanted to do this.  I love to do this kind of stuff!  It makes me so happy to show Heavenly Father how blessed I am to share my talents.  I am grateful for my unusual blessings.....