Act of Service

Seasons Greetings from the Wheeler household! I am now officially counting down the 12 days until Christmas. I can't wait! Christmas is my favorite time of year. The smell of pine, candy canes, Christmas decorating, and best of all, PRESENTS! :) I love the feeling. We decided to do a little decorating around our apartment to celebrate. :)

 Our First Christmas Tree

December has been a busy month for us. I have been working and Collin just finished classes at BYU! Testing is next week, so we are praying he does well, which... I have faith he will. :) He is just brilliant.

It is definitely looking a lot like Christmas outside with the cold weather and snow on the ground. It snowed hard last week in Provo. The snow is still there, but is now turning into ice. I had an experience just the other day that has to do with ice. It was cold and I was driving to the church where my best friend Stephanie was giving her last testimony on her mission. I was already running late, so I got out of my car pretty quickly. That wasn't smart, because I realized there was ice everywhere! I suddenly slipped and took a good fall on the ice. I got up and I don't think anybody noticed that I fell. I got inside of the chapel and realized that my knee was starting to bleed. I went inside and sat down acting like nothing had happened. However, I knew I needed help, fast! I asked the gentleman next to me if he had any tissues. He couldn't hear me, so I showed him my wounded knee which was beginning to bleed even more. As soon as he saw it, he went out to get some napkins to help stop the bleeding. A moment later, he went out again to get a first aid kit. He put gauze on my knee and taped it together with bandages. Instantly, I felt so much better. I had come just in time to see Stephanie give a beautiful testimony. I knew I wasn't going to see her in person for a long time, so I was glad that nothing stopped me from seeing her that day.

  
My heart will forever be thankful for the gentleman who helped me with my injured knee. Most importantly, that I wasn't too late to see Stephanie bare her testimony. It was a moment that reminded me that Heavenly Father is always there to bare us up when we need it. He also answered my prayers that night when I realized that I had made it to see Stephanie. It made everything so worthwhile. :) I don't know what I would've done if it wasn't for the man who I sat next to in the chapel. It really made my day so much better. It was truly a great act of service.

Stephanie is now home from her mission. I am so happy she is now back. I have missed her to pieces while she was on her mission. She is such a big part of my life; a great example about staying positive no matter what happens in life. :)

I am so grateful for this holiday season and what this year will bring and the following year to come! I am especially excited, because Collin and I are going to Virginia for Christmas break to see his family! I have never been to the East Coast before, so I am looking forward to it. I love this time of year where we can spend time with family. In my case, it will be with my new family. :)

A Thankful Heart This Season

Last week, we spent Thanksgiving in California. After carpooling with friends from Provo, we stayed at my dad and step mom's house for three days. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we went to Apple Hill to get a Christmas tree. It was a great adventure and the weather was perfect. We got the perfect tree to fit in the living room. It looks even more beautiful decorated. :)

 The tree fell suddenly when we were cutting it

Holding Up Our Tree

 My Strong Man

 After We Put Lights Up

That night, we ate dinner and played games. It was great to see Collin have fun with his in-laws. :)

On Thanksgiving day, we went to see my grandma Carter. She lives in a care facility in Roseville. I was happy that Collin could meet her. We had a really great bonding time.

 

She thought it would be funny to make a funny face. :)

My grandmother has always been a remarkable person with a heart of gold. She is the perfect example about how to be Christ-like and good. I love her so much!

This thanksgiving was especially meaningful for me, because I got to meet my older brother Nathan. It was great talking and getting to know him. 

We sat down at the table to eat delicious pot roast for dinner. Patty worked hard and cooked an amazing meal. While we were eating, Nathan said that he was thankful that he got to spend time with us this Thanksgiving. This touched me, because it made me so grateful for family.

The picture Nathan took of the family on Thanksgiving. :)

Later that night, we went Collin's aunt and uncle's house to see his relatives. It was so great to see, as Tyson would say, 20% of the Wheelers. :)

We hadn't seen some of them since the wedding so it was good to see them again. :)

On Friday, we were at my mom's house where we helped prepare a day after Thanksgiving meal (or as I like to call it, Black Friday Dinner.) We cooked sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and dessert.

Our friend Diana (I refer to her as my aunt), her niece, and my Uncle Frank all joined us for dinner. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, cranberry jello, you name it! We cooked it all! My mom always makes meals enough to feed an army.

After dinner, we skyped with Kelsey and Jordan with the family. They even got to be in our family picture!

My Uncle Frank plays the ukulele. He got me inspired to play it. He brought over his ukuleles and we played them for the rest of the night. 

On Saturday, we ate lunch with Collin's grandparents and Uncle Gordon. It was so nice to listen to their stories. I was thoroughly entertained. They are so wonderful and thoughtful. :)

The next day, we drove back home to Utah. All I could think about was all the good memories of this Thanksgiving. I am especially grateful to be married to Collin and that we got to spend our first Thanksgiving together. :)