Monday, December 31, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!  It's 25th December 2012!

 Early in the morning we skyped home and wished everyone a Merry Christmas, even though it was only in the evening before there. This is Dad and our oldest son.
 We ate Cinnamon Bun Ring for breakfast but without our traditional eggnog.
 Our daughter organized and hosted the Christmas Eve gathering at our home in Canada.
 Here, in Bangalore, we hosted a gathering for lunch on Christmas day.  Look at those well worn, dusty shoes, whose owners have worn them out in the service of the Lord!  Wow, I'm so impressed at the hard workers who have gathered to celebrate with us in partaking of a meal.
 The line up for lunch.
Since there isn't enough table space, the living room seats some.
 All seem to be getting enough to eat.
 Everyone seems happy with the food.

 Salads here, like potato, macaroni, cole slaw and layered jello (a family tradition). Elder Coombs is eating North American food like chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy & mixed veggies
 Indian cuisine on this end of the counter, Veg Biryani, Rotis, Dahl & Raita.
 Apple Crisp
 Around the Christmas dinner table
 Desserts a-plenty!  I was impressed that Elder Randall brought the brownies!
 back left: Elder Coombs, President Funk, Elder Henrie, Elder Ramaraj, Elder Christensen
middle: Elder Vinck, Elder Randall, Elder Yardley, Elder Sarkies, Elder P. Kumar, Elder Worton, Elder Bean, Elder Morrill, Elder George
Front row: Elder Kothangi, Elder Wigg, Sister Wigg, Elder Srigiri, Elder Ganaparam
down in front: Elder Thanniru, Elder Kullai
 If you noticed, Elder George is taller in this photo!
 Elder Henrie, Elder Bean, Elder Coombs & Elder Morrill
 Elder Thanniru & Elder Kothangi
 Elder Ganaparam & Elder Sarkies
Elder Thanniru & Elder Bean
 Host & hostess of the day
 Elder Thanniru, Sister Wigg, Elder Wigg, Elder Kothangi
 Elder Christensen & Elder Coombs
 Elder Worton, Elder Randall, Elder Ramaraj, Elder Yardley
 Elder Morrill & Elder George
 Elder Wigg loves Elder P. Kumar's hamhok handshake!
 Elder P. Kumar's hamhok 
 Elder Wigg & President Funk (Sister Funk is in USA for their son's wedding)
 Elder P. Kumar & Elder Henrie
 Elder Srigiri & Elder Vinck, the assistants
 This is our Christmas photo that accompanied our email letter to friends and family this year.
Beautiful flowers from President Funk.  Thank you so much.  
They are lovely Christmas colors and I love roses!  The red stands for the love of the Savior because of the Atonement and the green stands for creation, which Jesus did for us.  The white stands for purity.  That's always a good goal to have.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!  In India, it's Happy Christmas!


BLR Zone Conference

December 18th was Bangalore Zone Conference. It was a fun and spiritual day.

 A special musical number - A Christmas Hymn
 Elder Katuka & Elder Kothangi
 Elder Kashyap, Elder Katuka, Elder Ganaparam, Elder Kothangi
 Elder Katuka and Elder Ganaparam are finishing their missions soon.

 Elder Hyer, Elder Watts, Elder Worton, Elder Yelisetti
Elder Katuka, Elder Randall, Elder P. Kumar, Elder Henrie, Elder Yardley, Elder Ramaraj 
 First we took this district picture, then they said, you are in this district, too.  So we joined in.
 This is our district: Elder Katuka, Elder Randall, Elder Srigiri, Elder P. Kumar, Elder Henrie, Elder Vinck, Elder Yardley, Elder Ramaraj, Elder Wigg, Sister Wigg
 Elder Kothangi, Elder Thanniru, Elder Kandukuri, Elder Kashyap, Elder Ganaparam, Elder Coombs, Elder Sarkies, Elder Christensen
 Elder George, Elder Morrill, Elder Bean, Elder Kullai
Farewell, Elder Katuka. 
Here he is shown at the Mission Home with President and Sister Funk.

10k at 10pm

We heard that one of our friends was running in a 10 k at 10 pm after the Whitefield Road Christmas Party, so I asked if we could come along to watch.

I know, it's crazy to do it, but it was such fun!

There was a marathon at midnight and a 10k run at 10pm.


 Brother Christensen before the race.
 There was a band with live music...well...mostly drums, as always.
 They are so colorful and loud!
 Wow...Good for you Bangalore!
 The signs set the mood and show the surroundings.

 The front-runners burst out strong.
 There's Brother Christensen.

 Finishing the first 5k lap
 Starting the 2nd 5k lap
 We were in short sleeves and it felt cold this evening.  But it was so fun!
 The Christensen family was waiting patiently, though tired and chilly.
 Here he comes!  Finishing his 10k!  Good on ya!
 I love this shot of the '5' for the family!
 And there he goes...
 I had a fun time taking pictures of him.
And he goes right on by to the finish line!  Good job!