Christmas Sunday

Our little branch (Central Garden Branch) had a cute little program today but the highlight for me was hearing my family's musical number.  The family performed "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" by Counting Crows.  Jake and Ginny played a duet on the piano accompanying Aubree and the boys and they sang. My heart swelled with pride watching them.  Unfortunately, they did not allow me to participate, so I introduced the song and sat in the audience and took it in.  Afterwards, one lady approached me and said she had to look away because she almost "ugly cried", she felt the spirit so strong. As we were leaving, one of the missionaries (the senior elder) stopped me as we were walking to the car and said there were not many renditions of songs he had not heard and that he is not one to get choked up but he became choked up listening to my crew.  I am so blessed to have my family.  My heart was also warmed as Jake would look up from his piano and grin looking at his kids.  He was proud as well.  The song renders a message that is one we often forget, that Christ really is the author of peace and can bring it into our lives.

This morning I ran across some quotes or tid bits that some of the prophets and apostles have said about Christmas. Today on Elder Jeffrey R Holland's social media, he stated: "
I wonder what emotions Joseph might have had as he cleared away the dung and debris. I wonder if he felt the sting of tears as he hurriedly tried to find the cleanest straw and hold the animals back.
I’ve thought of Mary, too, this most favored mortal woman in the history of the world. It is here I stumble, here that I grasp for the feelings a mother has when she knows she has conceived a living soul, feels life quicken and grow within her womb, and carries a child to delivery. At such times fathers stand aside and watch, but mothers feel and never forget.
With only Joseph’s inexperienced assistance, she herself brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in the little clothes she had knowingly brought on her journey, and perhaps laid him on a pillow of hay. Then on both sides of the veil a heavenly host broke into song. “Glory to God in the highest,” they sang, “and on earth, peace among men of good will.” But except for heavenly witnesses, these three were alone: Joseph, Mary, the baby to be named Jesus."  As I read it, I pondered how Mary really must have felt and am reminded hat I need to hold some things sacred and close ti my heart.  From a child unto adulthood,

 I have always loved Santa and what he represents. I ran across this today from David O McCay and i love it just as much: "It is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas Eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue. . . .
Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.".

Text and Elijah's baptism

 Last Sunday (12/15) after church, I received the following text....

Friday was the last day of school before winter break. Jake took Will and a few of his friends to a movie to celebrate his birthday early because so many people are gone around the holidays.  Christopher had a play date with his friend, Jonah Donald, and then Jake and I met at Aubree's voice concert. Yesterday (12/21) we drove up to Paris TN to be apart of Elijah's (Sandra and Brent's oldest) baptism.  It was a sweet service and the kids sang with their cousins, it was a beautiful song ("I will be what I believe"). 

Tender little feelings...

Today was a beautiful day for me. Aubree received her young women’s recognition today and other small reminders of the goodness of God. Sacrament was wonderful and I enjoyed the talks.  I was able to be able to teach Sunday school today and had asked that Aubree and Jake do a song for us...”You say” by Lauren Daigle, which brought the spirit in indescribably. I had shared in my lesson that if we love as Christ, we are blessed with confidence and what a difference there would be if everyone in the world had that confidence to know where they came from that God has a plan for each of us. The song that Aubree sang, accompanied by her dad reminds me of that and has become one of my favorite songs (partly because they do and the other part the lyrics). There are so many times that I and others may question our worth and forget all that we are. Then tonight, the kids and I attended a missionary tribute to Christ. As I listened to the music and looked at my kids, I was humbled. Humbled that I have been given the life I have, humbled that I have been blessed with these AMAZING children, and humbled to feel His love. As I looked into the faces of some of the senior sister missionaries, I wondered the life they have lived and hardships endured. What had life dealt them? What will my story be? What will others see when they look into my face? I want you help others, to life others, and spare no expense to help others that need to feel loved. 

On a different note, Christopher won his class spelling bee and was able to participate in the school spelling bee.  He was very sad when he got out the first round but several other contestants did too.  I was very proud of him. Despite his speech, he goes and does.  He is very courageous.  Others are noticing his improvements in speech too.  Last weekend, I also let the girls drive to Paris, TN to see Sandra by themselves. They stopped by my parents briefly on their way there.  It is the first time that I have allowed that length of a venture without us with Ginny driving but I figure at some point that I have to start since she she leaves for schools soon.  Knowing this may be our last December to have all four kids home the entire month of December, our little elf, Zang, has done some each day. Things such as leaving: advent calendars, kindness advent calendars, ring pops, punch balloons, pajamas, Christmas shirts, Christmas socks, chocolates, Christmas glasses, Santa hats, etc.  It has been fun!