Day 49 and 50 - Memories and Christmas Songs

So sorry I missed yesterday. A friend of mine was admitted to the hospital and I had things I wanted to do for her to make sure she was being taken care of.

For day 49, I am grateful for memories. For some reason, I remembered my 18th birthday and how three friends gave me a surprise party. It was nothing fancy and it was just the four of us, but it was absolutely fantastic!
It started out with one of them inviting me over to her house, just to spend some time together.
As I rode to bus to her house, I saw my other two friends who, unbeknown to me, where going to her house to set things up. All three of us were standing by the exit door. I recall telling them I was not sure where I was supposed to get off and they both eagerly told me that they were getting off right then but I was to get off the next one. I thanked them and said bye as they got off.  When I got off at the next bus stop I realized it was the wrong one. I was supposed to have gotten off at the same stop by friends got off; however, since I like to walk, I just walked to her house. The thought never occurred to me that I had been incorrectly guided on purpose!
When I arrived at her house, my friend greeted me and I proceeded to tell her how two of our friends were on the bus as well. As I continued with my story, she opened the door to her living room and, to my surprise, my two other friends jumped up and yelled, "Surprise!"
The three of them had decorated the whole living room and went to a great extent to make that surprise party a great success, just for me! I was very touched.
Decades have gone by, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday!
I am thankful for memories.

For today, day 50, I am grateful for Christmas songs. At church, we had a Christmas program. Instead of the usual three speakers and four hymns sung by the congregation, we had the privilege to hear great songs from the choir, the primary children, the young women, a duet, and a quartet. One young girl also played one Christmas piece for us. It was very spiritual and special. I love this time of year. All the songs talking about the birth of our Savior are just absolutely wonderful and I feel the Spirit so strong when I hear them and sing them. I am grateful for music and I am especially grateful for Christmas songs as they testify of the birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.