Merry Christmas

We Christmas has come and gone already this year. It did not seem much like Christmas this year and I found it difficult to get into the Christmas spirit but I did very much enjoy seeing the kids light up Christmas morning. The boys were both able to go to Polar Express this year. Will went with a friend from school and Christopher went with Nana and Charity. Christopher tracked Santa through the day. The boys were way excited and could not contain themselves. Aubree was quite emotional about most of her gifts and Ginny was a typical teenage girl. She wanted her sleep. We continued our tradition of booby trapping the house, using 130 bells this year in balloons.The idea is if the kids can get through with out waking us up, then the can open gifts. If they wake us up, then we get to decide when they are allowed to open gifts. It seems that the children really enjoy the concept. We kept Christmas gifts simple this year and did not go overboard. After unwrapping gifts, I began to take down interior decor (because we left for Texas the next morning), Jake made homemade cocoa, and the children enjoyed playing with their gifts. This year fell on a Sunday, so we were fortunate to go to church, partake of the sacrament, and sing carols together. After sacrament meeting, we came home and prepared to go to Jackson for dinner. It was delicious! It was different without Papaw this year but we enjoyed ourselves. After getting home about 9:00pm, we decided to go ahead and head to Texas, so we left the house about 10:00pm. We have enjoyed seeing family and being together.

Happy Birthday Jake

Nine years ago today, Jake and I were blessed with our first boy. He was a black haired little chunk. His personality keeps growing. Some of his favorites are: Papa, pizza, sweets, soda, baseball, tanks, helicopters, video games, and Utah football. He definitely keeps us on his toes but we would not have it any other way.

I believe-

Do I really believe in a virgin birth? In a perfect human? A Savior for ALL people? Do I believe in angels and heaven and an afterlife? Do I really believe that miracles still happen and God still speaks to us? Do I believe in prophecy and the language of tongues? Do I truly believe in a being that created us all in his own image, a being that is all loving and benevolent, kind and good? In fact and in truth, I do. But I also believe in humankind. I believe that same God created us for far greater things than we are accomplishing. I believe that He made us and this world and set it on its course and whispered into our very souls, "As I have loved you, love one another. Take care of each other in my place. I won't be with you in body so you BE my body. Love the fatherless, love the widows, love the orphans, love your neighbor, be fierce in your protection of children, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the downtrodden, give asylum to those who are seeking refuge, visit the prisoners, forgive seven times seventy and then forgive again, don't judge every little thing, but if you must judge, judge righteously. But above all, love one another, as I have loved you." Faith in something you have no proof in perhaps seems silly or even a little crazy but my faith makes me who I am. My faith in the Baby Jesus and most especially the man He grew to become helps me to be more loving and forgiving, more in want of change, change for our world, for myself and for my family. My faith makes me more tolerant, it makes me want to be the woman I was meant to be. And with that faith you must continue to hear the bell. I love the analogy of still being able to hear the bells of Christmas when you grow up from the children's book The Polar Express. When we were children we ALL heard the bells or the magic of Christmas but as we get older somehow we lose the magic of believing. Believing is the only thing that makes life magical and fun and worth getting up every morning for. Do I still believe in Santa Claus? Heck yes! I believe in everything he represents. I believe in giving until you have nothing left to give, in making children smile and I believe in things that seem impossible being possible. I believe in his symbol of Christmas, that it truly is better to give than receive. That is why I know down to my very core that there are things greater than ourselves, ideas, thoughts and a loving creator that didn't leave us alone. He sent His son to save us all. He came in the meridian of time to save each one of us and He would have done it if there were just one of us. How dearly I love and appreciate His sweet sacrifice on my behalf, and yours, and my children's. I love the thought of that precious little baby boy born in the City of David in the most humble of circumstances, born into a troubled world to bring it peace. I love it's simplicity, it's grandeur and it's perfect form. So, do I believe? Yes. Yes. One hundred thousand times, yes. I believe. Merry Christmas dearest friends and family. May you keep and hold the magic of Christmas in your heart this weekend and may It give you peace and love forever.❤️

December already

Somehow December has snuck upon me and I neglected to do my Thanksgiving post. We are so technology dependent in this day that when my phone kept closing the app, I did not get on the computer to blog about thanksgiving. This year we drove to James and Cathys for dinner (James is my dads brother). Grandmother Christine was also there so dad was appreciative that we drove up. Sandra and Rebekah were not able to come so they went black Friday shopping. Christopher has asked for a "hatching egg" (hatchimal) for Christmas and they were able to get the nearly impossible toy for us. Seth was visiting from Idaho so we enjoyed having him stay with us a couple of days. School let out for the Christmas holiday on Friday (12/16), so we are looking forward to spending time together. I have been a little discouraged that I will not receive a Christmas or birthday card this year from my Papaw but I decided to send out cards this year to help brighten my days. I read a talk by Elder Jeffrey R Holland recently called "Christmas Comfort" that helped comfort. Basically it explains that we love good, so we hurt good too. I read the talk twice and reflected on how I am glad that I had the opportunity to love him and my mamaw, they set the bar high for grandparents. I am grateful for a living Heavenly Father that most likely suffered watching his son suffer for me that I can have the opportunity to live again and be a forever family. Oh Will advanced to Bear in cub scouts.

 

Matthew 25 Talk- Nae

For us today it is a simple thing to give someone a drink. Grab a cup, go to any faucet in the house and turn it on! However, the people of the first century did not have indoor plumbing. Unless you had potted water already, you had to walk out to a stream or go to a well to get water to drink. Neither of which was probably real handy, so either way it was not such a simple task! For us it may seem trivial, but it was a real chore for them. Doing something you wouldn’t want to do all the time, makes the service that much more meaningful. Today we have automated machines to accomplish tasks such as making thread and weaving fabric, so making clothing is no big task. Back in biblical times clothing was not so easy and expedient to make. It took time and a lot of effort! Remember how they drew lots for Jesus Christ's clothing when he was crucified? Even a dead man's clothing was coveted. Are we seeking to truly feed the hungry, give others a drink who thirst, and cloth the naked? This is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love the changing of the leaves, all the school breaks, the holidays, the decorations, the smells, THE FOOD, but most of all I love the Spirit that is more evident as December approaches. It is noticeable that Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, we are all a little more willing to serve, to give to someone in need, to hold the door open, or to put coins in a bucket. November begins a crazy busy time of the year. Streets and stores are filled with people making preparations for turkey and gratitude and the soon to be Christmas season. Travelers on the highways increase, airports are crowded—and all of Christianity seems to come to life with music, lights, and festive decorations. This time of year comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of this time of year lies in the life and mission of the Master. Elder Baird states: It is a desire to sacrifice for others, to render service and to possess a feeling of universal brotherhood. It consists of a willingness to forget what you have done for others, and to remember what others have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and think only of your duties in the middle distance, and your chance to do good and aid your fellow-men in the foreground—to see that your fellow-men are just as good as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts—to close your book of grievances against the universe, and look about you for a place to sow a few seeds of happiness, and go your way unobserved. As we follow in His footsteps today and as we emulate His example, we will have opportunities to bless the lives of others. Jesus invites us to give of ourselves: “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” Is there someone for whom you should provide service for today? Is there one who awaits your visit? Many of us have a desire to serve others, to seek out those who need to feel of the Savior’s love through us. And what a wonderful gift that is, for we all know that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God. (Mosiah 2:17) The responsibility to care for the poor and needy lies at the very heart of the gospel. The scriptures tell us in James chapter 1 verse 27 “pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”. In addition to refraining from evil, true disciples of the Master wear out their lives in the service of others. It was Jesus Himself who said, “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:27). As always, Jesus, the Chosen Servant, showed us the way, capping His mortal ministry with the supernal sacrifice of His sinless life [Now], the ultimate measure of our discipleship is not to be found in the number of Church positions we have held but rather in the extent to which we keep Christ’s commandments. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them,” Jesus said in John chapter 14 verse 21, “he it is that loveth me”. We cannot fully keep His commandments unless we serve others. However, we should not assume that service to others is the only virtue we are to cultivate as disciples of the Master. Far from it. But service to others is essential if we are to realize and retain the fullness of Christ’s Atonement in our lives. President Spencer W. Kimball pointed out that “the most vital thing we can do is to express our testimonies through service, which will, in turn, produce spiritual growth, greater commitment, and a greater capacity to keep the commandments” In the final analysis, then, the greatest testimony we can ever give to others is an exemplary life devoted to service. “Service,” said President Marion G. Romney, “is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made” (CR, October 1982, 135; or “The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance,” Ensign, November 1982, 93). Jesus asks us to be generous with our love. These simple words from one of my favorite hymns expresses this charge to us, which says: Because I have been given much, I too must give; Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live I shall divide my gifts from Thee with ev’ry brother that I see Who has the need of help from me. Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care, I cannot see another’s lack and I not share My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof’s safe shelter overhead, That he too may be comforted. Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I’ll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed. [“Because I Have Been Given Much,” Hymns, 1985, no. 219] Elder L. Whitney Clayton said, “Because of the Savior born two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, there is hope—and so much more. There is redemption, release, victory and triumph. The wrong shall fail the right prevail. No wonder a choir of angels suddenly appeared as a heavenly exclamation point to the angel's announcement of the Savior's birth, singing "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." No message could ever be more reassuring. No message ever was filled with more good will toward men”. Yesterday as I was out with the girls, we went by the mall and my sweet little Christopher was overjoyed when he noticed that Christmas decorations were in full force. He exclaimed “CHRISTMAS” and pointed to the lights! Now, you nee to realize that this will ignite his countdown to Christmas…joy oh joy. One may wonder what this means, he will awake every morning and remind us how many days left till Christmas and then on occasion ask us to ensure that he is correct. For Halloween, this lasted right at about two months and it became a very long two months. So, if we desire to find and to have the true spirit of this season (Thanksgiving and Christmas too) and always and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this season, find time to turn to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—first, give thanks for the blessings that you have been given – name them by name, and then second, ask for His spirit to be with you so that you will have the strength and determination to strive to serve Him by following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and serving our fellow man. Search out opportunities to help others and offer random acts of kindness. Feed those that hunger and clothe those that are naked…this is applicable in every aspect: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As we begin to notice the light sand decor just as my Chris did, may we become a light to others and as Elder Bednar suggested last holiday season “May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of Him who is the source of all light”. “Let us open our eyes and see the heavy heart, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord and answer those prayers” – Deiter F Uchtdorf Testimony (end testimony with “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

My boys

My boys are full of surprises. Today, Will came home with $100 bill from sell some rocks or rather loaning them out until he is 12 and Christopher brought a not home from Riley reminding him to ask if he couple come over. My two keep me on my toes. Will spent last weekend in Jackson and enjoyed every minute with Papa he got. He looks up to his Papa. 

November already

So here's to being a mom fail....I neglected to capture any photos on Halloween....eeek!  I came ho,e the week of Halloween and my sweet neighbor had decorated my door for me. We had a nice Halloween evening, although it was a Monday. We enjoy being together.