Baking Elves

This is what I looked like all day. We were busy little baking elves...The girl helped me as the boys were on the slopes. More details later, but this is not the time of year to ask TOO many questions!

Two Week Reminder

With the Big Day only two weeks away, I thought I'd share a lovely email I got from a friend this week. While you may be stressing out trying to get it all done before Christmas Eve, take a minute and see if this doesn't help put this month's activities into perspective for you too.


Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up.... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:


I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Mistakes

Ever wonder what it must be like to be a Santa this time of year? I do. I wonder if they hear stuff that PTA moms and parent helpers hear when we are in the classrooms, or Sunday school teachers get wind of each Sunday. Kids volunteer some amazing, otherwise embarrassing information at times. I am sure Santa is not immune from hearing some of those things

At the same time, Santa's lap can be a pretty fervent point of self reflection for the truly honest child. I loved this comic from the local paper this weekend. Zoe is a mischievous little girl, so it makes me smile to see her have reason to pause as she talks to the Man in Red.

Luckily, when we have mistakes that were made, and we all have them, there is always hope for redemption. That is the beauty of the Savior's atonement. That is the reason for the joy and celebration as we commemorate the birthday of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to know that second chances are always available as I turn to Him, who offers forgiveness of my mistakes as I humble myself to His will.

Global WHAT, Again?

I would like to formally request about a week of mid-July weather right about now. This zero degree plus wind chill on top of 6 inches of snow is not even for the birds. They are smart enough to fly to St. George or Guatemala for the winter. I should have gone with them.

What really kills me in this wintery week is that I have California friends who are complaining because it was 50-something degrees yesterday. You've all gone soft in the granola, fruit 'n nuts, seaside paradise you call home. Puh-leese. I don't want to hear any of your whining. I am a California girl at heart, but I have had to toughen up to deal with the high basin winters.

Too bad those international dolts meeting this week in Copenhagen to discuss Global Warming didn't hold their meeting in Salt Lake City instead. They could have enjoyed some great skiing while they avoided their meeting, for obvious reasons.

Take It Easy

Last night was the tree setting-up activity for our family. For seventeen holiday seasons I have collected and amassed ornaments and decorations for our tree. Each year, thus far, the kids have also selected an ornament that represents what they were into that year--with the hopes that someday they will have a little collection of their own to begin their adult lives with for their own tree.

In the process of putting things up last night, The Boy insisted on these bright blue LED lights--which are very pretty, I agree--but they are icicle lights. You know. The kind that hang three or four little lights from the eave of your house, or in a windy place might end up with three or four little lights in your rain gutter. These even have white, very bright white, cord and wires. There is no gentle or subtle blending in here. They are shockingly white wired, bright blue LED icicle lights on my tree.

Then, The Girl insisted that we only use the store bought annual collectible ornaments this year. The quantity while they are still loaded in the crate looks like we have tons of these ornaments, but when they shed their protective boxes and wrappings there are 12 for The boy, 14 for The Girl and Genius Golfer and I each have 17. 12 plus 14 plus 34...so...60 total ornaments. Our fakey tree us large enough for easily three times that many. It looks pretty naked, but for those white lights draped all over it.

Finally, the decision to put the tree in the basement family room was made the democratic way--by a majority vote. Two short people voted for it to go there because they wanted to sit on the couches when they open presents. One guy abstained and I was out numbered. Now the front room is still decorated, but I love driving into the garage and seeing the Christmas tree in the bay window of the front room. Very presentational, and much more formal. I even suggested we could bring the couches upstairs on Christmas day. Still outvoted.

I realize all of this makes no difference as to why we celebrate. And the reality of our tree location and decor is not a major factor in our celebration of the Savior's birth. But these kids sure seem to have strong opinions and no hesitancy in expressing them about family traditions they see as wrong.

What is a mom to do? Give in and take it easy, I was told. I'm working on that.

It's All in How You Look at It

I found out a dear friend was just called to be a counselor in her Stake Young Women. One of her friends called that a "country club calling". I think, after serving in the same position for a while now, that that is a good description. It really is the best calling I have had, and I'm lucky to serve here.

We had a few inches in snow on the ground this morning when I got up. It is only 19 degrees as I type, Genius Golfer took my four wheeled drive for his commute today leaving me with the little Honda, and I have boxes of Christmas in my front room just waiting for some attention. But I don't really have to be anywhere today. I can turn on the Christmas music and clean my house, do laundry and put up the Christmas decorations. I am lucky to have that kind of option.

I spend a good portion of the afternoon yesterday making some delicious holiday treats for GG to take with him to work to share with his colleagues. When I came downstairs this morning, I realized he forgot to take them with him today. I think we might have Family Home Evening treats already done. What luck!

I have a quote I wrote down following an episode of Everybody loves Raymond, which is on in syndication almost every night somewhere, like Friends, or Seinfeld. It comes from Ray's curmudgeon of a father, Frank. He said "Luck is the residue of good planning." I like that sentiment, but in the three examples above, I think I was, really, just lucky. Some planning went into those, but mostly coincidences worked to my favor.

May you find the residue of good planning, or just serendipitous coincidences today too.

Gift Selection Help is Here

In the event that you are stumped with the idea of what to get that special man in your life, I found this amazing product and want to share this brilliant idea with all of you. I hope this helps with the manly Christmas wishlists in your house.