??? Christmas Already?????

We just booked our family photo session in November to get ready for our "Christmas Picture". Can you even believe it's that time?  We are attempting the entire Gooch family photo, we'll see how it goes.  But what I really wanted to share is . .  I have had 2 exciting things for Christmas that came in the mail this week!!!  I received 2 books from family members that they authored themselves.

Check out her web-site Here

First is "The Santa Letters" by Stacy Gooch Anderson.  This is Doug's cousin.  She is such a remarkable author of many things.  Doug and I had the privilege to read the manuscript before it was published (now available) . It is soooooo remarkable!!! If any of you have read the Christmas Jars or Wednesday Letters, you will love this this story of forgiveness, the atonement, and Christmas tradition.  I don't want to be a spoiler of the story, so I won't tell any more, but I plan on doing this (the "Santa Letter's) for my family this year.  I really want my kids to enjoy the real reason of the season.  This book has helped me collect my emotions of of Christmas tradition, the magic of the event . . . but still employ the power and meaning of Christ.  I am hoping to have Stacy to my house sometime in November for a book signing event and Christmas ideas that follow this book - stay tuned for more info later.  If you haven't already picked a book for your book club in Set, Oct or Nov. already - this is a great, easy read that I really think you will enjoy!!!

The next book "The Carol of Christmas" was written by my step-mother "Marcia Kauffman Clark".  My step-mother was a convert to the LDS church when she was first married to her first husband.  She used to be mennonite (an affiliation with Amish).  Her mother was born on Christmas day so they named her "Christmas Carol"  She later became a famous author in the mennonite and amish community.  My step-mother wrote her biography many years ago and tried to have it published through a mennonite publisher - but due to her no longer being apart of that faith, and the fact that she was on her second marriage they did not feel it appropriate.

Currently my parents are serving a LDS mission in Palmyra, New York.  She is right in the heart of mennonite country.  She happened to befriend a member there in NY that owns his own publishing company.  He knew and heard of Christmas Carol Kauffman and felt it would really please him to publish her biography.  Many mennonite members have been eager to get to know "Christmas Carol's" daughter that is now serving and LDS mission and wonder why the change in faith.  I absolutely believe 100% that this is no coincidence that my parents were sent to serve this community.  It is my testimony that the Lord knows us and uses us where we are needed.  I hope and pray this book will have a powerful effect on this community that will open doors for the work to go on.  Her book is now being shelved with the newly re-printed versions of all of Christmas Carol Kauffman's books.

My Parents are in the LDS Palmyra, NY Temple Mission - "Elder & Sister Clark."

They help visitors know more about the life and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith and the history of our church there in New York.  For more info on their mission and the things they teach - click HERE