There was a live nativity with lights, a backdrop, a live lamb and donkey, palm trees and all the people. There were three wise men, Joseph, Mary, shepherds, angels and the baby Jesus. One of the wards in the Sand Diego Stake did the nativity and they changed casts every half hour. That means they had six different casts of people who were in the nativity. They had enough costumes for three different casts. They also brought cookies and gave Christmas notes to the guests who came.
There was a brass quartet, a Spanish Choir, a harpist, as well as a Hawaiian Christmas with dancers.
One family came to see the nativity and then came into the Battalion to see what it was about. There were two girls who were about ten years old and a boy who was about twelve. Then, there was the mom, dad and a friend. We had just started a tour so the next tour wouldn't start for 10 more minutes. I told them about the tour and how much they would enjoy it. The kids were excited to take it. The adults, however, were NOT! They tried to convince the kids not to take the tour. I wold them we had some singers they couyld listen to while they waited. One of the mothers and the three children went in, sat down and began to listen. About five minutes later one of the mothers came and got the kids out of the performance. (They were sitting at the back). She told them they were going to take pictures out by the wagon. The boy resisted.
"I want to take the tour." he insisted. Then he turned to me and asked if they could take the tour without their parents. I said I thought that would be fine.
His mom said, "You have your cell phone, so you can call me when you are done."
She left to tell their dad - and the kids followed her onto the porch where the dad was waiting.
The three kids came back ready to go on the tour. The mom was visibly reluctant to let them go without an adult with them. Some other people came in and were ready so Sister Smith started the tour
The parents watched from the doorway during the introduction. The dad came in part way through and watched the end of it. They they ALL went into the enlistment room because the mom didn't want them to go without an adult.
I wondered how Sister Smith would do with these three reluctant, hesitant, parents. I walked around to the gold panning area when they came out. They were all panning for gold and visiting with Sister Smith. They stayed in gold panning for quite some time. I asked Sister Smith how it went when she came back inside. She said in the courthouse she asked if anyone would like a card to know more about the faith that helped these men accomplish all that they did and the dad's hand shot up. He wanted a Book of Mormon and to know more as well. Our Father-in-Heaven leads people to the Battalion who are searching for more in their lives - and sometimes they have to be almost pulled into the place where they can find it. Thank Heavens for children.
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