Christmas with Makenna Home

December 25, 2023

Christmas with Makenna Home

Christmas Break 2023- the LONG post! This last Christmas with Makenna home has been —FULL, FULL, FULL! But in a really good way.

As many have remarked, one of the best gifts for us is having Makenna home from Chile! It has been a happy, fun vibe having her home again with us! Her missionary “glow” is so awesome. She came home with a deeper desire to heed the promptings of the spirit. And with that you can also see her joy in Christ! Family gospel studies have been amazing! And we forgot how much we have missed her contagious energy and laughter and… hilarious antics (like running to catch fruit snacks mid air or taking funny selfies with the siblings). We only get her for a couple weeks before she heads off to BYU. So we are soaking in every minute.

Makenna spoke the day after she returned home and it was beautiful!! I especially LOVED hearing her share her testimony in Spanish. Though I don’t understand all the words, the spirit was so powerful to me. We knew a number of people were coming out for it, so we filled our home with so many friends who came to welcome her home. I think we counted about 80 people flowed in through our doors. So, I counted this party as half a family Christmas party as well. It was so nice to catch up with everyone and hug them all- I didn’t take a single photo of it. And I was so grateful for our parents who came in and helped SO much. For the open house, we threw together mini completos (Chilean hot dogs), and we put a bunch of other appetizers out: salsas, sugar cookies, candies, cheese balls, Vegie platter, etc. We played a slideshow of pics from her time in Chile. And then when it was over, she was so wiped out!

Much like a wedding reception, it was awesome and yet I think her smile was completely worn out.

The kids had school the first week we had her home. She made a valiant effort joining me at pickleball. Haha! Another day we did some laps at the pool. We were thrilled with our meager efforts!

She’s a runner, so she’s been getting her runs in again. But I’m not. So we did some walking, too. And that was just as therapeutic! And she helped me a bunch with last minute shopping. And of course she has been SO glad to drive again!!

The first few days were admittedly rough. Jet lag from a 28 hour trip, plus going from sea level to mile high altitude, plus being home, and a myriad of other changes- the first week was a bit tough. But we provided lots of distractions and let her sleep in when needed. And we got her eating normal again! And the Lord certainly has helped as well- seems like every where we went she saw people she knew! The run, hug squeal. (Or silent squeal if in the temple). Her plate has never been empty!
Christmas Eve we packed it in! We had our traditional star taco salads. Over dinner we discussed some of our favorite Christmas traditions through the years. Then we watched “Christmas Eve on Sesame Street” which was my favorite childhood tradition. I love the message about keeping Christmas with you all through the year. And Oscar the Grouch falling down the stairs in his can never gets old- even when these kids are all big. Then we whipped up some orange juliuses (Damon’s tradition) and enjoyed them while studying Luke 2 together. It’s amazing to me how we read it every single year and still learn so much about the powerful symbolism of our Savior’s birth. Not a single detail is by accident. It is all divinely orchestrated and so symbolic!!

This year I also pondered about where I would have been during that special day. In my mind, I imagine myself as a spirit singing in an angelic choir heralding His joyful beginning of his promise to us. What a great heavenly celebration it must have been.

Finally, after snapping a couple family pics, we drove around in our jammies -this time with Oreo to see the lights in the neighborhoods near us. We have some pretty impressive light displays nearby. And Oreo loved it!

She usually whines a lot in the car- so that was a real surprise that she didn’t. And how cute that the one who wrangles her the most was the person she chose to sit with- Alyssa.

Christmas morning began at 6:30 AM -thanks Alyssa!! Some traditions never die!

Before opening gifts we began a special new devotional. The old tradition of reading our month of services had grown old and tired. It was great and served its season. But in the last couple years, no one wanted the chocolate sticks in exchange for a service. And the rotation between just four of us really didn’t work well for this busy “never home” family.

So THIS year, we talked about and wrote down special gifts from the Savior which we received from Him this past year. We captured each family member’s response. Then the list grew and grew. Next we each took our own cards and quietly wrote what our gift to the Savior will be this coming year. We will not read each others, but will continue to add to our cards each year- sort of like an annual Christmas journal but on a card. It was a really special way to begin Christmas. We are excited to kick off this more grown up tradition and see this one bloom and grow!

Other Christmas notables:

Makenna gifted us with some sweet Chilean gifts- not all pictured. She brought me a small wooden pitcher. I love the symbolism of empty vessels. So that was perfect! Another big one was a HEFTY box of snacks from Chile! We are covered for snacks for a LONG while!! We are really enjoying some flavors from her mission, though. The flavors and smells from Chile are unique. Even her luggage has a different smell! Maybe the laundry detergent she used? But it is definitely noticed - especially by Kaden!!

After all the gifts were opened, I had a special surprise scavenger hunt for Damon (which is a childhood tradition of his). See video. Bryce helped me test it and pick it up. And it ended up he too benefits from receiving the old one! A double gift.

Over the break, we’ve been filling our time taking Makenna to SO MANY favorite activities. Hiking, dining, parties, games,… Too many to list- see the photos. When we set to planning the break, boy were we surprised when we saw our calendar fill up. The crew told US what THEY had planned. We sort of wondered if we should make plans of our own. But how we loved to hear them making plans of their own.

Alyssa would have gone with her siblings to a movie, but she had signed up to be certified as a soccer referee. So exciting she got that done- and she will be working soccer games this spring! $$. Crazy!!
Most importantly we’ve gone to the temple a couple times! It’s been great to be in the temple together! Since Makenna last went in Mexico, it has changed a bit, but I was impressed how comfortable she was. One day she just went off to the celestial room on her own. Nothing fills me with more joy than to see my child love the temple.

And to top these last couple weeks off, we love it when she takes a call from a friend from her mission and they chat it up like besties! It’s like a family phone call day, but in reverse. And all the joy is now at our house! Now she is the one taking the calls- and we get to see her bubbling over with joy for her friends and the mission!! What a blessing it is to have technology and such great friends! We can’t say enough for the joy and gratitude we feel for each of those awesome missionaries, their mission president and his family, and the members in Chile who have done SO much for our girl these last 18 months!

But most of all, how grateful we are to the Lord, for His watchful care over her and all of us. This year we have been reminded there is no gift greater than being with our forever family!! And that gift is made possible through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas from the Stewart Family!

Unbelievable that it is December in Colorado and we went for a picnic at Chataqua. Enjoying these warm sunny days together! Love having the family together!! (Dec 23, 2023)