Hi from the Danielson's

Hello Family and Friends!

Hope your year has gotten off to a good start!

Sorry we have not been in touch for awhile. Many we did not get a Christmas greeting off to, and this we apologize for. We hope the blog makes up for that.

We sure did enjoy hearing from so many, and getting your updates on your families and your activities. We hope you all had a special holiday season.

Christmas was different for us this year, but also nice. We served on Temple Square Christmas Eve Day, but everyone got off at 6pm, and Temple Square closed for the evening. This is the traditional schedule each year.

Larry Miller, the owner of the Jazz, and many other things here, invited the entire mission to his Theater at the Gateway Mall. It was a great time had by all. They showed the movie Work and the Glory, and it was wonderful to see it again on the BIG Screen. They served free popcorn and drinks, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus came and gave us all presents. Lots of fun had by all.

Christmas day we also served until 6pm, and again The Square closed. After that we had a beautiful sit down dinner in the Empire room of the Joseph Smith Bldg. All of the Senior Couples had assignments, and cooked all of the food, decorated the tables lavishly, and served a very nice meal to the Sister Missionaries. After the dinner, the Sisters put on a Talent Show. This was incredible! There are approximately 135 Sister missionaries here on the Square at present, and they represent 49 different countires, and speak over 35 languages. Unbelievable talent!! Lots of individual talent, plus the different cultures did their native dances, etc. We had an incredibally good time.

The following Friday, on our P-Day, Diane and Bill's families came to our condo, and we exchanged gifts, and had an informal dinner. Then all of the children went swimming, since we have an indoor pool and spa here. We topped the day off with some very competitive Ping Pong. We missed not being able to be with Beckie's or David's families, but were in touch by phone.

Well, we are still enjoying each other, and serving here on Temple Square. Every day brings incredible experiences. We have grown so close to the other 30 couples in the mission, and the young sisters are amazing. It is hard to believe how close we can get to them, and it makes it very hard to see 20 or so leave every 6 weeks for home.

We have been here 9 months now, so are half way through. We get to see many friends that come here to visit, and run into people we have not seen for years.

Please, if you make it to Temple Square, just ask any Senior Couple, and they will be able to tell you where we are. If we are not on the Square, they can give you our cell phone #'s and you can call us. We will come and meet you, or you can come to our condo. It is only 2 blocks away.

So good to see the Broughton's just before Christmas, and spend a wonderful "spot of time" with them.

Hope this finds you all well. We enjoy hearing from you all, so write when you can.

Actually written this time by Elder Danielson! :) I did type it though!
With Love and appreciation from Sister Danielson also.