These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Scenes from Christmas Morning

Opening Stockings on Mom & Dad's Bed - "As Usual"

Wool Socks from Shelly and a Hydroflask from Kim & Nate

 Isla with some treats (not hers)

Not actually from Christmas morning, Christmas Eve. But I couldn't leave it out.

Christmas Lights

David and Mom and I drove out to Toyon Dr. and looked at the Christmas lights. Some of the best shots are below.

The ever popular "Christmas Palm"

A Blue Christmas

My Favorite

Biking Over the Bridge

My good friend Joe Harrison is the Teachers Quorum Adviser in his ward. All four of his YM are former students of mine. Whenever he has cool activities planned (he does this with the specific goal of getting one of the YM more actively involved) he invites me along. I like it not only for the activities, but because I get to be with some of my favorite students again.

The activity this time was riding bikes from the north foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, over the bridge and then along the sea past the Presidio, Crissy Field, the Marina, and on to the Wharf. 

The boys, Joe Harrison, and his sweet wife who went along to keep us out of trouble.

On the way in we unexpectedly had to take a detour through town,

past a few recognizable San Francisco icons - like the Palace of the Fine Arts.

We also cycled past the Hyde Street Pier (familiar to all who come to visit us from out of town,

because we always subject them to our favorite places to visit - and eat), and Ghirardelli Square.

This is where we stopped to buy clam chowder bowls and relax. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! On the way in I wore a light, long sleeved, high neck pull-over. After sitting in the sun for a hour or so, I rode back in just a t-shirt (well, and pants). But I really could have worn my bike shorts and been comfortable.

We stopped here for a brief breather after the long climb up from sea level on the way back. Actually, I've taken a lot of pictures from this point in the last few years. You can see how beautiful it was outside today

. 

Even though I was leading the way at this point, I had to stop and snap

this photo as we headed north back to the cars. Very cool.

As much as I loved the whole day - the weather, the ride, the food, the good company, being with kids I like - maybe the best part was the Instagram message sent out by one of those kids as soon as he got home:

"Took a trip to San Francisco with my quorum today. So grateful for those guys!"

This is why we work so hard with YM. When they start to see their fellows like this, as a quorum, it's a good thing.

Christmas

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her,
that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned:
for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,

Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

 and with his stripes we are healed.

So when this corruptible shall have put on in corruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall it be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches,

and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,

heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory,

and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb forever and ever.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up,

ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.