Candlelight Pavilion - "Sounds of Christmas"

Earlier this year we spent an evening at the Candlelight Pavilion to see "South Pacific".  Tonight we are back for their wonderful Christmas program.  This year it's called "Sounds of Christmas".  We all love this place . . . the food is good, the desserts are . . . well, to die for . . . and the shows are lively and delightful and fun.

As we approached the entrance, we were greeted by this beautiful  . .

Tree of Lights

We are so looking forward to this show

Inside the foyer, this tree is decorated
with ornaments representing every show
that has been presented at Candlelight.

Another tree in the lobby - perfect place for a photo opp
Front:  Queen Leslie, Joy
Back:  Seema, Carol L, Debbie T, Carol N, Barbara

And right outside the showroom floor . . .
Santa must be close by.

After dinner and just before the show started, Queen Leslie spoiled us a with some special little gifts . . .

Thank you Queen Leslie

The show was amazing - the music, dancing and story line were so much fun.  And at the end . . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in person

What a perfect and special way to close out our year.  We've had a wonderful year, lots of fun and adventure, lots of memories made, friendships grown, and many smiles and laughter.  Can't wait to see what 2018 brings.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year F.R.I.E.N.D.S.!!!  See you all in January.

Operation Christmas Child Warehouse

We're back again to volunteer a few hours at the Operation Christmas Child Warehouse.  This is such a heartwarming and rewarding experience, and we look forward to doing it every year.  And this year, the warehouse was in Corona . . . So much closer to home.  Hopefully/prayerfully they will come back to our area again next year.

Operation Christmas Child

As always, the evening begins with a brief orientation with a few stories about Operation Christmas Child, and instruction on each of the tasks that need to be done to prepare the shoeboxes for shipment overseas.  

Here we are at the end of the orientation . . .
L-R:  Debbie C, Barbara, Joy, Leslie, Seema, Kathy, Carol N

As we were walking to our work-stations, we noticed that the warehouse was pretty empty as far as volunteers were concerned . . . Maybe because it was the shift change?  (Later in the evening, we were told that our evening shift processed more shoeboxes than the day shift - with fewer people!  How 'bout that!!!!)

The processing line

Look at all the shoeboxes . . .

Waiting to be processed

Every year there is something new . . . This year there was a board filled with photos of Operation Christmas Child kids.  The idea is to choose a photo and write a prayer for that child on the back.  Amazing . . .

Prayer Board for OCC Kids

Some of the prayers

We arrived at our work stations and quickly got busy . . .

Kathy's job was to open each box and
remove any money/checks inside (for shipping charges)

Joy's job was to inspect the contents and remove
any prohibited items - which this year
includes toothpaste and candy

Carol N taped each box closed

Leslie scanned the boxes with barcodes,
sorted them by boy/girl and age
and placed them into the appropriate shipping carton

Barbara and Debbie C rolled T-shirts to be used as filler items

And Seema sorted stuffed animals, also filler items

Every job is so important, and it takes a TON of volunteers to process the thousands of shoeboxes that go through this warehouse - and this is just one of eight warehouses throughout the USA.

Every hour or so, everything in the warehouse stops and everyone takes a few moments for prayer . . .

Praying for the shoeboxes and for the children who will receive them

 Halfway through our shift, we took a little break . . .

Break Time!

And at the end of our shift, we stopped for our annual photo by the Operation Christmas Child Tree . . .

L-R:  Joy, Debbie C, Barbara, Leslie, Kathy, Seema, Carol N

Well done ladies.  Hope to see everyone back again next year.