The Senior Missionaries assigned to the Europe Area Office in Frankfurt, Germany have Family Home Evening twice each month. The Winters coordinate the Family Home Evenings and assign each senior couple to present a FHE lesson or activity. In looking at the calendar it occurred to us that we could do a "Readers Theatre" of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for our FHE in December. The fact that Gary took part in a readers theatre for the past three years in our home ward made our preparation a little simpler. We had the script, so we just needed to assign the various parts to missionaries who seemed to fit the bill. Thanks to our wonderful role models, David and Michelle Janke (in our home ward), we even had finger foods and Christmas treats for our refreshments.
There were a few senior missionaries who were not quite sure how this "reader's theatre" would turn out, especially when we told them there would be no rehearsal! On Monday, December 2, 2019 we gathered as a senior missionary zone and had a delightful time. To make things more exciting, there were a few times when our readers got off-script with their own ad-lib interpretations. Elder Koegler, our Area Medical Advisor and former Gastrologist, told Scrooge he could do a specific surgical procedure that would correct his problem if he swallowed "the toothpick". Also during the discussion between Scrooge and Marley regarding "chains" Marley went to the piano and they all sang "Unchained Melody"; there was also the time when Elder Frank Ballard, our Area Legal Counsel turned the "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come" into a Man in Black complete with his tag which read "Lawyer Angel of Death". Everyone had a fun-filled evening and a laugh-filled time. Gary chose to give up his role as Marley to read the part of Charles Dickens. Gary got a top hat to look more like Charles Dickens and gave his Marley wig to another Elder who played the part of Jacob Marley.
And so the holiday season is upon us, our thoughts are drawn to home and we have been wondering "who will play Jacob Marley next year"?
Modern technology has made it wonderful to FaceTime with our children and see them carrying on the traditions we have done over the years. Last week they made Gingerbread houses. Susan will be honest, she did not miss the preparation or clean-up. However, we both miss the joy of spending time with our children and grandchildren.
“and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed: God Bless Us, Everyone!“ A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
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