THE FAMILY THAT DOES IT ALL! THE DITTBRENNERS.

Dear, dear Dittbrenners:

We were lucky enough to get you for our family service.  We are lucky because you serve in so many ways that we had lots of things to choose from.  As we considered each of you, we realized how much you do for everyone whose lives you touch.  We are very proud of you as we have watched you adjust to two moves this year... plus Covid.  You have all been positive and looked for the best in both locations.  We have not been able to be with you much, but we are blessed through technology to have enjoyed highlights of:  the moves, the cross country drive, the golf course job, the fun of the Disney Store job, the airport Covid adventures, hunting and fishing, trips to Disney World, removal of a gall bladder, the most amazing dancing Santa ever... and best of all Jack coming into the world.

In keeping with the idea of variety and technology, we remembered that your family have been some of the best that we know that have tried to Light the World the past few years.  (3 years ago Dixie had us go buy 48 bottles of water and distribute them on the streets of the Congo.).  The recipients were thrilled.  This year, we decided we were really going to focus on this year's Light The World, as our gift of service to the Dittbrenners.  

We didn't do everything on exactly the day it was suggested, but we did do every item.  Some were done with a little alteration.  We didn't always post them, but we posted some, which was a big step for us.  We have almost given up posting since being home from our missions, because we feel so blessed that we don't want to seem like we are boasting.  Due to the church's encouragement, we did post some and received sweet comments from old KAM families.  Consider these service acts in your honor.  Many of them would not have been done, if it weren't for the push we felt to meet our goal of doing all of them for your family service.

We have not given to the orphanage for 2 years.  This year Light the World suggested donating to a charity.  We felt prompted to send $100 to the orphanage director.  We know from Jonathan that, although they have received help from others in previous years, ours was the only donations or money they received this year. Jonathan wrote "Let me tell you that our Christmas was great, sweet and amazing.  All children said thank you very much couple Gates... You are the only one among millions we love."

We did our Hero Highlight on Stan Houghton... the contractor and our room mate for when we were Temple missionaries.

This is a little boy named Gates who lives in Kinshasa.  His Mom and Dad were close to us.  They were very good to us and had us act as their parents at their wedding.  This Light the World prompt was to pay it backwards.  He was terribly burned this year.  We felt inspired that they needed money.  We sent them some for Christmas and their response was very grateful. 

 On the Shining Star day... to choose a friend who had been a good influence in our life, Dad called Brent Allen, Lyndon McKay and Gary Cox and thanked them for being a life time friend!

 

We contacted a local nursing home.  I asked what we could do for them to bring holiday cheer to the residents, she asked what we would like to do.  I told her we would like to bring over a dozen children to carol at each of the doors, like we have done in the past, but that we knew that was not possible.  I asked if we could bring over some poinsetas for a few individual rooms. 

When I dropped off 4 big beautiful poinsettas, the staff were touched and promised me they would go to residents who didn't have family in town and were lonely.  I was told they would be thrilled to have someone think of them.

On Peace on Earth Day, I posted this photo as my favorite photo of Christ.

For showing appreciation for health-care workers, we sent Dana and her good husband a gift card and a message of thanks.  Caleb is a doctor and works in the emergency room at the hospital and putting in long, long hours.  Dana is supporting him from home.

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For honoring our parents, I compiled my Dad's 6 page history for the Bodell Family Kids book of stories.

  

For our social sing challenge, Dad rose to the occasion and put together a great sing along.  He invited the Hocks and Johnsons, led much of the music, and assigned others as guest choristers. It was a very special evening.

There are many others that we haven't mentioned, but we will end by telling you about the night of December 23.  We invited the missionaries to carol to our 6 neighbors.  One of them is Indian.  It was a delightful night singing to these families and introducing them to our darling missionary who speaks Hindi.  It was a huge step to letting them know more about us and that the church is available to everyone!  

Thanks again Dittbrenners.  Through your example we were able to Light the World.  We love you!