Christmas Collage

Christmas Day

I wasn't feeling great so we kept really quiet today. In fact, I am not sure any of us changed out of our pajamas. We took a few naps in between our activities. It was actually a great day.

We opened gifts, watched some movies and just visited. We ate a pork chop breakfast feast.

Santa brought Just Dance 2 for the wii, so we had fun playing that together.

Dad and Kelsey made a gingerbread house, while Maryn made her snicker train.

And we laughed.

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve found us with family and friends gathered to celebrate our Savior's birth. We dressed up for the party and took some pictures before our guests arrived. We started out with dinner. We kept it simple and served soup and rolls. Then we played some games--the dice game and of course sedarach! We brought out the pipes and made beautiful music together. Then we read and sang the story of Jesus' birth. The reason for the season--the reason for everything.

Snicker Trains

Part of the joy of Christmas is the magic that children find in the season. When we were making the list of the activities we wanted to do to celebrate snicker trains were definitely on the list. But, we knew it would be more fun if we had some little people around to make them with. Kelly asked John if we could borrow their kids and they were delighted to share them. So we had John, Stephanie, Cameron and Rachel over for dinner and we showed them the delight in making snicker trains! It was a wonderful--so much fun. We laughed and ate till we were sick! It is so fun to see everyone's creativity come out. It is amazing what beautiful creations you can make with candy. Not to mention the smiles.

Winterhaven

We got our decorations up! I love to have the house decorated inside and out! We took our annual trip to Winterhaven to walk along the streets enjoying the lights and fun conversation with family.

Love really spelled T-I-M-E

Choose Faith

Reading in Mormon today made me a little sad. To read of Mormon's description of just how far the Nephites "fell" They were once taught and blessed by Jesus. He was in their midst and there was not a happier people found, then they became a miserable people, doomed to destruction. I couldn't help but wonder if they were lost forever? They willfully rebelled and passed up so many opportunities to repent, but will they get that chance after death? Will I be more sorrowful after I die to find they were some of my friends in the premortal world?

I thought about my own life and the struggles I have, the struggles those around me have and once again realized how important the teaching is 'to watch and pray always". Satan will never give up trying to bring us down. You are never "safe" enough to let your guard down, your testimony and relationship with Heavenly Father need constant nourishment. I couldn't help but think of Avon and how bizarre the things are in her life right now. We are never too old to be tempted.

So much depends on our action-our desire, our work, our choices. We can't just be idle, we have to seek and knock, experiment and choose. Bishop Edgley urges us to choose faith, a choice of peace and protection. We are promised that we will move mountains-mountains of despair, sin, and pain. Faith is the bridge between the unknown and the known.

I don't know all that lies in store, the struggles or even the blessings that lie hidden ahead. I do know that clinging to my faith, nurturing  it continually, will keep me from following the wrong path.

Christmas Begins

We got December off to a great start with our ward party celebrating Christmas. It was simple, just dinner and the nativity, but it set a great tone for how our holidays should be. Simple and focused on the Savior! It was fun to see the primary kids participating as cast members and in song. I love Christmas music. The youth also shared their varied talents during dinner by performing more musical numbers.