don't miss this.

the nativity exhibit is BEAUTIFUL.

live nativity (outside)

i am amazed at the woman and men i have worked with and how they have transformed a gym into a beautiful display.

we have had close to 800 visitors each day.
we did call 911 the first hour we opened because a sweet elderly woman had a stroke... she was visiting with a group of friends all from the First Methodist Church... the ambulance was quick and painless.
but a shaky start.

see that large painting... an artist painted it for this event- it was stunning.

the first night, 40 minutes prior to our Christmas Concert, some of the Hosts plugged in a vacuum and blew a fuse-- causing half the lights in the Exhibit to go out...

Christmas Concert

Concert Overflow Seating... we had seating for 475... and it was just about full!

that was fun.
i called our electrical specialist who told me to go to the circuit breaker.
i told him i was there.
he said, "look for the circuit that switched."
i told him there were hundreds of lights.
he said i was standing in front of the sound system amplifier... not the circuit breaker.
yup.
i'm not quite the electrical specialist that i needed to be for this event.

my feet hurt.
i'm not so excited about clean up...
but, i feel peace and i definitely feel this event was a great way to kick off the Christmas season.
we had 400 nativities and about 75 international nativities...

but honestly, after trying to get 400 camels to not fall over, i don't think i even LIKE nativities.
(i like creche's... i think that is what you call the all one piece Mary, Joseph and Baby...)
please, don't tell anyone that.
ok?!!!

 

 




(my favorite-- the sweet people who i talked with...)

if you haven't come yet, we are still open from Noon- 6pm tomorrow.
don't miss it.
and, bring your kids.
we have the cutest family picture of everyone dressed in nativity costumes.

oh, i may not love nativities...
but i DO love Christmas.
i hope you are all and enjoying this season.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

not even a mouse.

twas the night before the Nativity Exhibit,
and all thru the house,
many creatures were stirring,
but NOT the mouse.

for real.
we found a dead mouse in the bottom of a nativity.
can you believe it?
mmmm.

a child is born.

yesterday [Tuesday] was a LONG day of labor...
since this is our first year we had no idea what to expect as people brought in their nativities...
i spent the day praying that we would be able to care for these prized possessions and that we would be able to create a building of peace and beauty.
we aren't done yet... but we went from this

to this

with lots of this...

 i LOVE these women...
it is AMAZING watching miracles unfold.

lights.

how many mormons does it take to hang a light bulb?
i guess it depends how late at night it is...

we had one full day of arranging tables... hot gluing muslin to the sides of the tables... and HANGING tulle and lights...
oh what a day.
it is REALLY beginning to look a lot like Christmas-- and, i'm so excited!!
hope your day is bright!!