He is The Gift

With all the wonder and excitement of Christmas, it's easy for forget or ignore the fact that another world exists just below the surface of all the holiday festivities.  While all the parties, concerts, plays, and dinners are going on, there is another world fill with those who aren't invited to any holiday parties, who can't afford to attend any special events, who live on the fringes of society more concerned about finding a warm place to sleep and some food to eat or paying the rent or mortgage for that month.  It is the world of the lonely, those without family ties, the aged, some who are single, the ill, the homeless or barely surviving, the orphans, the less fortunate (as we like to call them), the marginalized, the mentally challenged, the... (fill in the blank) all those who struggle all year long.  We don't always remember them all year long however, we tend to reserve our benevolent concern for the month of December.  We who are indeed "fortunate" gather our families in our lovely decorated homes, eat our best dishes of the year, open wonderful gifts, play games, laugh and enjoy one another's company and do special activities reserved for the Christmas holiday to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

But what of those who have no where to go?
No invite for dinner?
No presents under the tree?
No kind words or welcoming arms?
No one bringing a neighbor gift or a warm loaf of bread and a cheery greeting.

I've had a small glimpse again this time into the lives of a few and know that this time of year is terribly difficult for them as they yearn for the family closeness that others have that for various reasons has alluded them.  As I've tried to reach out and help, I've sometimes been burdened down by the weight of their trails and my pitiful efforts to help seems to make such a little difference. Some have never ending trials.  Some have staggering trials that are often not of their own making.

We can and should do our part to help alleviate the suffering and burdens of others.  But, it will never, not ever be enough.  Our poor efforts can't make them whole.  Can't make up for what they lack. This time of year reminds us again, that there is only One who is mighty to heal, to help, to make whole, the make wrong things right, to comfort, to lift up, to carry us.  He is TRULY The Gift. He brings comfort, peace, strength to endure, more courage to forge ahead, and mostly importantly...the peaceful assurance that they/we are not alone.

So I send Christmas greetings to all the fortunate and to all those who are not quite so fortunate. Jesus Christ is the great equalizer and with Him, all things will eventually be made fair.  He came to earth in the most humble of circumstances and he rose to greatness from that humble beginning.  His teachings gave comfort to those who needed comfort.  He taught us a better way to live, to be, to give, to share and to comfort.  His example is supreme.  He is no respecter of persons and he does looketh upon the heart.  For that I am so very, very thankful.

He is the Gift

Reaching out to others.  Is there any other time during the year when people think of others more than during the month of December?  It's been so rewarding to do something every day for someone else.  Little acts of service, bigger acts, medium acts.  The thing is to... ACT! I've loved being involved in various ways to bring some joy to someone else.  So very fun.  Such a great feeling.  I came across this great list of links of ideas to keep the focus on the Savior at this Christmas time. How will you share The Gift?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides many online resources to inspire and focus members' attention on the Savior. Here are just a few free and easy things you can do to make Christmas this year less about what you purchase, give, or receive and more about the Savior Jesus Christ.
1. Watch the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional with seasonal music and inspiring messages.

2. Watch the “He Is the Gift” video and share it on social media with a personal message (#ShareTheGift, #ShareGoodness).
3. Watch the Bible Video “The Nativity.”
4. Scroll through the Church History Museum’s online gallery to see inspiring paintings relating to the Birth of Christ.
5. Listen to commercial-free Christmas music online on the Mormon Channel.
6. Listen to the 24/7 stream of Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas music and be sure to download five free Christmas songs.

7. Do the “Seek the Star” activity in the December 2014 New Era for a Christmas family home evening. Find more ideas for teaching children about Christmas from the Friend.
8. Browse the LDS.org Media Library for Christmas images and Christmas videos you can download, use, and share to bring the Spirit of Christ into your life and home.
9. Read how you can follow the Savior  through service.

10. Read 5 Gift Ideas That Bring Christ into Christmas for more ideas on giving Christ-centered gifts.

He is the Gift

I absolutely love Christmas music.  We own a TON of it.  I try to listen to each CD (yeah, I know...I'm old school like that) at least once during December.  I love the traditional music, the old school variety and the spiritually infused music the most.  But, I also like to hear new variations on a theme.  For example these new arrangements.  Love, love, love them!  This one has 21,576,366 views as of this morning:



Also,



And this out-of-the-ordinary sound,



Rick and his family went to this concert and really, really loved it.  I couldn't go, but hope to next year.

And finally....

these online mini concerts provided by Provo City featuring local artists.  Some of them are quite good!  So many people sharing The Gift!  How will you share The Gift?

He is the Gift

Every year we make the annual pilgrimage to LDS temple square located in Salt Lake City at Christmas time.  It is stunning.  This year we met Rick's sister Margie and her husband Grant for a BYU basketball game at the Energy Solutions arena before we took the tour of temple square.  Rick had made a reservation at The Roof restaurant afterwards for a romantic dinner.  The restaurant overlooks temple square and the festive scene is second to none.  It was a lovely evening.  I think of ALL the people who work so hard to decorate for all of us to enjoy.  A cousin of our SIL Rich (Emily) works full-time on grounds at temple square.  She has posted several pictures of the process they go through (on Instagram) to decorate temple square.  Check out this interesting article about the history of temple square lighting over the years.  It's so interesting! I appreciate all those who make this annual tradition possible for so many people.  How will you share The Gift?

He is the Gift

Lovely table setting

Huckleberry, mincemeat & pumpkin pies

Gary, the master chef with his 26 pound turkey

ginger snap cookies with peppermint crunch
 topping for the sister's cookie exchange

crepes for dessert

Mom's lovely decorated home

all ready for Christmas

Mom's cute little musical train/tree

Let the eating begin!

We had such a fun weekend with my mom, my siblings and their spouses in cache valley over the last weekend.  My sister Mary Ann hosted us at her lovely home for dinner Friday night.  Saturday I got to go shopping with my sister Carol and find some fun things for her home.  Saturday afternoon we went to the home of my big brother Gary and he and his wife Nancy served us an outstanding Christmas dinner.  My mom was actually the hostess (it is HER annual Christmas party, make no mistake) but this year we went to Gary's to enjoy dinner together.  He is a master cook.  Seriously, he and Nancy are such good cooks and they treated us to a lovely meal.  Five USU students entertained us afterwards with some lovely Christmas music.  It was so fun to get together with all my siblings (minus Paul and DeNae) and enjoyed the company of one another.  I love my family and we enjoyed reminiscing about Christmases past.  Many people shared their time and talents with us.  How will you share The Gift?

He is the Gift

Every year, LDS congregations (wards) throughout the world have a ward Christmas party.  It can take various forms and be in the evening or sometime during the day.  It can be more focused on Santa Claus or be more spiritual in nature.
I remember ward Christmas parties when I was a kid.  Santa Claus would always make an appearance and give each kid there a brown paper bag full of hard tack candy, nuts and an orange.  I was thrilled with that bag of goodies.  Somehow I don't think kids now would like that bag of treats very much. 
Since I serve at the Relief Society activities chair, I was asked to head up the ward Christmas party this year.  All of the auxiliaries helped, but someone needed to steer the ship and make assignments and that fell to me.  Our dear Bishop Loveless passed away a few weeks ago, so our ward is still hurting from that loss.  We invited the Loveless family as our special guests and wanted to make the party in remembrance of our Bishop who always said "life is good!"
Our theme was "Joy to the World! The symbols of Christmas."  We had a lovely breakfast of breakfast enchiladas, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit and dip, hot chocolate, OJ and milk. We had a Christmas pageant about the symbols of Christmas, and pinatas for the children at the end.  We also wrote letters to our many ward missionaries.  It was a fun time for all and it turned out great.  It was very well attended and everyone helped pitch in to make is a success!  Many people shared their gifts that Saturday morning. How will you share The Gift?
A certain wise man kind of stole the show.  Somehow his crown just didn't fit his large head.  Can you tell which one he is?

He is the Gift

Every year we attend the BYU Celebration of Christmas program.  Every year it is good, but this year it was exceptional.  Each of the BYU choirs perform as well as the BYU Philharmonic orchestra. I felt the spirit of Christmas so strongly that it brought me to tears.  It is such a power experience to see hundreds of these good kids sharing their talents and bring the Christmas spirit for all of us to enjoy.  They were sharing The Gift. After the concert, the Men's Chorus gave an encore out in the foyer of the HFAC.  Someone captured it on video and posted it to YouTube.  It will give you some idea of how wonderful it was! How will you share The Gift?

Here is a small glimpse of what we heard.





I love the lyrics:
Come, Lord Jesus

Come, Lord Jesus, to the manger; may we see they tender face?
Great creator, here a stranger, infant in this humble place.
Darkness scatter, morning swell: come dear Lord Immanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus to the manger.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

Come, Lord Jesus to the wounded
Broken heart and bended knee
Worthy lamp they love unbounded
Heal our souls to rest in peace.

Come in glory, truth proclaim
Come to us to rule and reign.
Ready us to knell and greet thee
Come, Lord Jesus come.

Come, Lord Jesus great Redeemer
Light of morning from the east.
We will be thy children ever
Dry our tears, all weeping cease.

Come in glory to, truth proclaim
Come to us to rule and reign
Ready us to knell and greet thee
Come, Lord Jesus come.

Come, Lord Jesus to the manger,
Come, Lord Jesus come.

If you want a copy of the music, it is available here.

He is the Gift

Thousands of people in our state come together every year to contribute their time and talents to raise money for the regional Primary Children's hospital in Salt Lake City at the annual Festival of Trees.  I haven't attended this event for years, but this year I wanted to go and take my friend Cydnee.  We had a fun afternoon looking at the thousands of trees of all sizes, as well as quilts, crafts, ginger bread houses and more that were donated by giving people.  It gave us great ideas for tree decorating and she later helped me decorate my tree!  The festival is such a great example of what can happen when many people come together for a common cause.  I'd love to participate another year and contribute to this worthy cause.  I marvel at how people shared their gifts. I took a bunch of pictures of FROZEN trees because I knew my little grand girls would love to see these pictures.  How will you share The Gift?

Cydnee is a Ute fan.  I am not.  It's a friendly rivalry.

He is the Gift

The first gift of Christmas was a simple gift given by a father to all his children, to us. He gave us His son, the Christ. He is the gift. This Christmas season, how will you share the gift? http://christmas.mormon.org

Thanksgiving in Arizona

Arizona in the winter

Visit to the new Phoenix, AZ LDS temple

We had a great time last week traveling to Arizona to be with our kids.  Andy and Chelsea went with us as far as Las Vegas.  We dropped them off with Chelsea's mother, but not before we had a wonderful evening with her mom Laura, her sister Audrey,  her grandfather Ralph and his wife Sandie and her aunt Andrea and uncle Scott.  They were such wonderful hosts and treated us to dinner and a night's stay in the fabulous M resort.  It was been fun to get to know them and to enjoy spending time with them in their home town.

The Polar Bear plunge is an annual event
 that everyone hates, but feels compelled to do.
Rick takes the first plunge.

The water is very cold by AZ standards.
 Lauren thinking it over.

Lauren and Jordan head in.

Jake

Rich

Run for the towels!

Two brave girls went in a second time.

Sauerkraut, our favorite side dish!

Delicious meal Jordan served us!

Christmas PJs for the month of December

Mesa AZ temple lights.  Amazing!

Visiting Chelsea's grandmother Betty
 and husband Ron and her family

Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

Afternoon hike among the cactus.

Giving Thanks for ALL our many blessings.

Jordan and Jake were such wonderful hosts and we enjoyed staying with them.  I was sick with a terrible cold two of the days and couldn't do much, but everyone else had a great time.  There was lots of football watched, food made, crafts, hike, movies, temples attended and a great time was had by all.  Each of us wrote five blessings on a paper and they came together to make the Thankful chain shown in the picture.  I'm so thankful for my family.  They are my everything!

Visiting Chelsea's grandparents Ralph and Sandie,
uncle Scott and aunt Andrea.

Thanks for Ralph and Sandie for putting us up one night in this beautiful resort!