Greetings from Me for the Holidays

Hello Family and Friends!
Christmas is a great time to share in love and life! I really enjoy hearing from everyone, so am finally taking my turn to give a little run down on what I've been up to in 2008.

I am still living and working in Arizona. The job is really great for me because it is active and energetic. I work with seniors as a recreation therapist at a nursing home. The residents are all Veterans. I enjoy having the opportunity to serve and help them with recreation in their lives. We have a fun time together and stay very busy with outings in the community (I drive the bus!), music programs, arts and crafts, gardening, mind activities, and other regular happenings like exercise. I also work with some talented therapists who teach and motivate me. We work as a team and its a fulfilling job. Its a tough job to play at work, but somebody has to do it!

The Arizona State University Institute of Religion has been a wonderful place to attend church, institute, and have activities with our ward. The institute is a two-story building complete with gym and many rooms, baptistry, etc. It was dedicated last fall and we love being there! There is a whole stake of YSA's that meet at the building on Sunday. My calling right now is to lead the music for opening exercises for Sunday School. Also, I am on the FHE committee helping and planning Monday nights. I love going to our temple in Mesa and am looking forward to the dedication of 3 more in the surrounding area. Would you like to come in 2009 for a dedication? That will be a special experience.

My sister Camille got married in April to Scott. They are at BYU. We all got to be a part of the wedding in Salt Lake City and that was a special time for everyone. My brother Dane got off his mission in Japan earlier this year. He is engaged to Laura. He just left the house to go pick her up in Atlanta, so she will be here soon. So, we will be having a big wedding in May 2009 in Texas. That will be another fabulous event to look forward to!

I love to do so many things that sometimes its hard to fit in all in! I still love to swim and have recently been doing a few short hikes here and there. Also, I am into creating earrings, necklaces and other things with stringing beads. Every first Friday in Phoenix, there is an art walk at night and I've enjoyed purchasing beads there and seeing art on those nights. I went camping in Vegas over the summer and saw "Mamma Mia," with some friends. Also, its fun to cook some new recipes and try foods from other cultures.

I sincerely hope all of you are happy with closing up 2008 and are able to feel that improvements and progression has been made. A new year is a great time to try again and set new sights in 2009. I wish everyone a prosperous new year, good health, and increased spiritual growth and understanding in what the Lord has in store for each one of us.
Stay in touch now, ya hear!
Much love,
Kirsten