I'm glad I touched shoulders with you

Well my heart is full tonight as I've been going through my Christmas cards one last time & rereading them again. It makes me feel close to home & to those I love & who love me. I don't know where to begin to thank everyone for your kindness & generosity to me. I can't begin to tell you the size of my cards I received. The lady we live with ask if that is all family? No I told her it's town people & friends or they are all the same. She told me that it made her want to be better with the missionaries in her ward. Thanks so much for the money, gift cards, your letters, deep blue, quilt, hanky, book, picture of Christ, & the love I felt as I read your messages. I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas & was able to spend some time with family & friends. I'm sorry but I don't think I'm going to be able to get my cards out this year & probably not thank you cards but please know I do appreciate each & everyone of you. Christmas this year was spent pretty well focused oh our Savior, Jesus Christ. I never even spent one day shopping for gifts, I just can't do everything anymore that I used to be able to do. Guess you might say I'm slowing down a bit.  I never had time to talk to our kids on Christmas even though they did leave me some messages. The next morning I received a text wondering if Santa had taken me back to the North Pole or if I was still in Texas or just where I was? It gave me my laugh for the day. It's pretty tough keeping up with all the parties we've been invited to plus doing quite a bit of service also. It is so cold here I can hardly wait to get back to Randolph. I think I'm going to have to write home for some long johns or maybe I'm just getting wimpy in my senior years.  It's been fun to talk with the young elders & sisters & hear about their phone calls home. I love those young people & their dedication in serving the Lord. The highlight of my Christmas was the day after we were able to go to a baptism for a couple originally from India. They have been working with them for 2 years. I was able to help the women get ready & then we went out & watched her husband be baptized first. Great night then a non member invited us out for some REAL Chinese food. I loved the pictures ya'll sent me, thanks so much.  My thought I received in a card, There's a comforting thought at the close of the day, when I'm weary & lonely & sad, that sort of grips hold of my crusty old heard & bids it be merry & glad. It gets in my soul & it drives out the blues, and finally thrills through & through. It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain: "I'm glad I touch shoulders with you!" Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong? Did you know there was one learning hard? Did you know that I waited & listened & prayed, and was cheered by your simplest word? Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face, for the sound of your voice ringing true? Did you know I grew stronger & better because I had merely touched shoulders with you? I am glad that I live, that I battle & strive for the place that I know I must fill; I am thankful for sorrows, I'll meet with a grin what fortune may send, good or ill. I may not have wealth, I may not be great, but I know I shall always be true, for I have in my life that courage you gave when once I rubbed shoulders with you.  Author Unknown.  My Christmas card to you all I love everyone! My scripture   1 Corinthians 2: 9-10. Sweet dreams  Sister Putnam