Christmas play

I got put in charge of the program at the ward Christmas party this year. I wrote a small 20-25 minute play, complete with nativity and musical numbers. Originally the couple in the show were a husband and wife, but the number of couples in the ward willing to act together equalled exactly zero. I had a few individuals willing to help out, though. But let's face it, having two people who are NOT married act in a christmas program as a couple that IS married is kind of weird. In the professional world, no problem. In the strictly amateur world of church Christmas programs, it's weird.

What was a girl to do??? The only option I could see was doing the program myself, with my husband, since we're apparently the only couple in the ward who both enjoy acting. I didn't want to do that, though. I'm already writing the play, directing it, and doing a musical number. If I actually PERFORM the entire show as well, that would be a bit much. It would no longer be the ward Christmas program. It would be "A Very Special Fifield Christmas." I didn't feel good about that. I didn't take this job to show off my mad skills. I took this job so that I could do something nice for the ward Christmas party.

I realized the solution today, in the car, after spending several minutes after the Primary program practice at church trying to wheedle several couples to star in my show, all of whom said no.

It was so simple! All I had to do was change the show. Not the lines necessarily, not the format, not the musical numbers. All I had to do was change the relationship of the two main characters. Instead of a husband and wife, why not a brother and sister? Then ANY two people in the ward could do it!

So change it I did! Here is the new and improved version of the play, as will be performed by my good friend Klissa and my husband, Ben (who, let's face it, is a good actor and looks similar enough to Klissa that they could pass for siblings) (and I live with him and can force him to practice his lines if need be =D).


(Siblings Jenny and Paul are sitting at home together. Jenny is stressing out about all the things she needs to get done before Christmas. Paul is reading a book.)

Jenny: I’m never going to get it all done! I still have to bake cookies for our FHE group, wrap my presents for the family, help Becky Simmons with her music for the Christmas party, take dinner over to the Masons…

Paul: Jenny, calm down! I’ll help you get it done. I hate it when you’re stressed out. Christmas is supposed to be about peace on earth.

Jenny: It’s supposed to be, yes, but somehow it always manages to be one of the busiest, most stressful times of the year. (sighs and sits down) It’s just hard to feel Christmas spirit sometimes, you know?

Paul: Look, maybe you should just focus more on the holiday itself, and less on the busy stuff. What does Christmas mean to you?

Jenny: Paul, I don’t have time for this.

Paul: Come on, humor me.

Jenny: (rolling her eyes) I… I guess it means… Christmas carols, and baking cookies, and spending time with family…?

Paul: What else?

Jenny: Well, there’s doing charity work, giving gifts to show people you love them, stuff like that.

Paul: Is that all?

Jenny: Ummm… Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, Santa Claus…?

Paul: Okay, those are all great, but just think about it for a second. You’re forgetting the most obvious thing.

Jenny: (thinks for a minute, then realizes) The birth of the Savior. Of course.

Paul: Right. The birth of the Savior. Compared to that, the other stuff really doesn’t matter. Christmas is about Christ.

(Musical number, Joy to the World)

Jenny: It is a pretty fantastic reason to celebrate. When did you get so smart?

Paul: I’ve always been this smart!

Jenny: (laughing) Whatever! (thoughtfully)You know what I want to do right now? I want to read the nativity story in the scriptures.

(Paul and Jenny pick up their scriptures, open them, and look at them together. Narrator reads Mosiah 3:5-8, then Luke 2:1, 3-7. Mary and Joseph enter and take their places around the manger. Narrator reads Luke 2:8-16. Shepherds and Sheep enter and take their places around the manger. Narrator reads Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-11. Wise men enter and take their places around the manger. Narrator reads Alma 7:10-12, then Isaiah 9:6. The children sing Away in a Manger. All exit except Paul and Jenny)

Paul: How amazing is it that Christ came here, to this earth? He taught us, He atoned for our sins, and He died for us. He did all of it for us. I can’t even comprehend that kind of love.

Jenny: I keep thinking about Mary. Can you imagine what those first moments in the stable must have been like for her? To look at this tiny baby in your arms, and know that he’s literally the Son of God? I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for her.

(Musical number, Mary Did You Know?)

Jenny: Thanks for reminding me that Christmas is about the Savior. I guess I was too caught up in all of the busy stuff to remember that.

Paul: Just so you know, I think it’s great that you’re trying to do so many good things for people. Christmas is about goodwill and charity. So don’t stop doing the “busy stuff.” Just make sure that your focus is on Christ. I think everything else will fall into place if you’re doing that.

Jenny: It’ll probably be a lot less stressful, too, which is obviously a good thing.

Paul: Seriously! You’re kind of scary when you’re stressed out.

Jenny: Nice, thank you. (She hits him playfully. They both laugh)

(They stand up, and he puts his arm around her)

Paul: I love you, sis.

Jenny: I love you too, big brother. Merry Christmas.

(They exit. Musical number, Silent Night)

A Crafty Conference

This year during General Conference, I did several crafts. I always do, because it keeps my hands busy so I'm awake and alert, without using so much of my attention that I can't focus on the talks. So I tend to save a lot of my craft ideas for conference time. It is, after 8 hours long all together, so I need plenty to work on.

This year, I decided that I needed more Thanksgiving decorations. I wanted to paint some ceramics, but they're kind of pricey and I didn't know where to find a good ceramic shop. So instead, I bought some foam balls, various colors of felt, and some googley eyes. Along with those, I used some toothpicks and a glue gun to create an adorable Thanksgiving turkey! It was all improvised, so I had to figure out a lot of it myself, but I think it turned out pretty well. I even glued nickels to the bottoms of the feet to give it some weight so it wouldn't tip over easily.

After the turkey, I painted a fun fall wreath for our door. I bought it with the wire already attached and the leaf cutouts already put together, it only needed some paint. I like how it turned out. Fall is my favorite season, and I was wanting something cute to put on our door. Mission: accomplished!

Next I made some new hair bows for Evie. I wanted her to have some plain black ones. I couldn't find ribbon the width that I wanted, but this was good enough. I really love the way the tiny red-and-black ones turned out, though, they're SO cute. In fact, the other day I made some more that same size in purple and pink for a baby shower gift. They're a good size for a baby girl, especially one with lots of hair.

Anyway, that's it for my conference crafts. And conference itself was great, too. I can't wait to get the talks in the Ensign next month, too, so I can go over them and study them. I'm a visual learner, so having them in print is a huge help for me. I love listening to conference, too, though. There's such a strong spirit, and the church leaders we hear from always have so much wisdom to offer.

Now, what am I going to do for my crafts in April....?