Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to all! We feel so blessed to have such great family and friends. We are enjoying a wonderful Christmas at home while we have a blizzard going on outside today. It's looking like a great day to stay under a blanket and watch a movie.

Dan was able to call us twice in the last two days. He managed to call while we had our annual Christmas eve dinner. It was great to talk to him. Aunt Debbie and Dan's uncle Chad were able to talk to him for a few minutes in addition to us. He is doing well and told us they expect to have a hot meal flown in to them today.

Dan said he has just experienced the worst sand storm he has ever been in. It lasted for a day and a half. He said it was so bad they just had to stay in their vehicles. He said they had to dig out one guy who tried to hold out in a tent and the tent became completely covered in sand. He said the sand storm with some rain made it pretty miserable but he said its over. The one plus he said is when storms come through it usually gets a little warmer at night.

He was happy to have received our Christmas packages and said his group is doing well. He still doesn't know when they will come in from the desert. So far its been just about two months living out of their vehicle with only a one day visit to a base for a real shower.

Dan made an interesting comment. He said he had been thinking about the wise men and how they followed the star. He said after being out here in the desert I can see them saying, "hey theres a new star, there's nothing else out here to do....let's follow it!"

He wanted us to tell you all he loves you all and appreciates the support he gets from home. It was our first Christmas with Dan not here with us. While that was difficult, we are grateful to Heavenly Father for keeping him safe. May you all enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!