Angels Among Us

I wanted to share the details of a Christmas party I helped plan for our ward's Relief Society. In case anyone needed any Christmas party ideas (a few of you have asked), and as an excuse to share the recipe we used. :)

It was themed 'Angels Among Us' and was about how small acts of service make a big impact on the lives of others and help us to become more like Christ. It was simple and lovely. We got the original idea here on Sugardoodle.

Those of us in charge served dinner to the ladies. It was a nice change from the typical potluck-style. Our centerpieces were divine, I really wish I had gotten a picture of them! Oh, and dinner was delish! We served this Parmesan Baked Chicken along with baked potatoes, salad, rolls and cheesecake. Yummers!

Parmesan Baked Chicken

2.5 lbs. chicken, cut into nice size portions
4 slices bread (the cheap stuff works best)
3/4 c parmesan cheese (not fresh)
1/8 c parsley flakes
1 t salt
1 t garlic salt
1/8 t pepper
1/2 c butter (or less)
Mayonnaise

Blend the bread in the blender, then mix with cheese, parsley flakes, and
seasoning. Dip chicken breast in mayonnaise, then roll in crumb mixture
until coated. Place in pan. Drizzle butter on top. Cover with foil and
bake 1-1/2 hours. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes more or until slightly
crispy. Bake time may be a little less, depending on the pan and oven.

After dinner, we showed this video:

For a few weeks before the party, we had passed around papers during Sunday School asking people to share anonymous stories about how someone from the ward had done an act of service for them and how that impacted their life.

Then we read the stories that had been shared anonymously. My very favorite part of the stories was that the acts of service were truly sooo simple! The littlest things like scooting over to make room for someone to sit by another person, being understanding when someone couldn't make it to something because their child was ill, not being in a rush to get home after church so they could visit and become better friends.... I don't remember everything, but honestly almost every story was about such simple acts of kindness! It really is the little things!

Two teenage sisters in our ward sang a duet of O Holy Night. They really sounded like angels singing! And the 2nd verse went perfectly with our theme!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Everyone was given an angel favor with a quote:

"When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.” ― Jeffrey R. Holland

This party was just one more thing that has brought the Christmas spirit to this bursting heart of mine! Usually when I think of someone who is having a hard time, I wish there were something I could to help, but think there isn't so I do nothing. But that night truly did teach me to stop thinking and feeling that way. Now if anyone ever comes to mind, I try to do something -- anything. I hope I don't forget this little lesson, because as I look back and think of the things that have helped me the most, many of them were small and simple kindnesses by others. There is always something we can do.

I'll end with this video because it's a song about angels, but mostly because Chloe loves it. She seriously goes bazurko when she hears it! Totally makes me giggle :)