Friday, December 22, 2017
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
After a pretty dry spell through most of October, November, and December, snow fell a few days before Christmas creating a Winter wonderland.
Closer to Christ - Day 10
For if thou altogether
holdest thy peace at this time,
then shall there enlargement and
deliverance
arise to the Jews from another place;
but thou and thy
father's house shall be destroyed:
and who knoweth whether thou art come
to the kingdom
for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14
Thursday, December 21, 2017
SOS
Chris had a quick work trip to Europe right before Christmas. He came home on Thursday evening, leaving Paris around 3:30 am my time. When I woke up at 5:15 am, I was greeted with this startling message from Chris' phone:
Emergency SOS. Chris Kline (CA) has made an emergency call from this approximate location. You are receiving this message because Chris Kline (CA) has listed you as an emergency contact.
I wasn't quite sure what to think. I texted, but figured he would be sleeping and he doesn't always pay for the wifi on United. So I waited, fretted, called United Global Services and found out that his ticket had been marked as "used".
I breathed a huge sigh of relief when Chris texted me as he landed in Washington Dulles.
Jolayne Kline: Christopher Norman!!!
Chris Kline: What
Jolayne Kline: Did you see the text you sent me?
Apparently, he pushed the right combination of buttons as he slipped his phone into his work bag, and then his phone sent the text to me.
Emergency SOS. Chris Kline (CA) has made an emergency call from this approximate location. You are receiving this message because Chris Kline (CA) has listed you as an emergency contact.
I wasn't quite sure what to think. I texted, but figured he would be sleeping and he doesn't always pay for the wifi on United. So I waited, fretted, called United Global Services and found out that his ticket had been marked as "used".
I breathed a huge sigh of relief when Chris texted me as he landed in Washington Dulles.
Jolayne Kline: Christopher Norman!!!
Chris Kline: What
Jolayne Kline: Did you see the text you sent me?
Apparently, he pushed the right combination of buttons as he slipped his phone into his work bag, and then his phone sent the text to me.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Closer to Christ - Day 8
True faith is not just knowing God can,
but knowing why sometimes He doesn't.
True faith is not just believing things can work out perfectly,
but trusting when they don't.
Brad Wilcox
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Closer to Christ - Day 7
"The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times—
including the end of times. That is the safe harbor God wants for us
in personal or public days of despair. That is the message with which
the Book of Mormon begins, and that is the message with which it ends,
calling all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.”
Jeffrey R Holland
Monday, December 18, 2017
Closer to Christ - Day 6
"The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit
millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration
of the birth of the babe has given at least equal attention
to the placement of each of us in precise human orbits
so that we may if we will illuminate the landscape of our individual lives
so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well "
millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration
of the birth of the babe has given at least equal attention
to the placement of each of us in precise human orbits
so that we may if we will illuminate the landscape of our individual lives
so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well "
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Secret Santa
My friend, Chanel, puts together a fun Secret Santa exchange for friends in our ward (though not a ward activity). We have participated for three years now and it is fun to see the creativity each year from different families.
I'm hoping you'd like to be a part of the Family Secret Santa I put together each year! It is so much fun and EVERYONE LOVES it!! It doesn't have to be stressful or expensive, all you have to do is be creative and a little sneaky and you'll have a blast!
Here is the deal-
Starting December 13th you'll bring a gift for the family you get assigned and secretly leave it on their doorstep. (Be as creative as you'd like!!) One gift each day/night until the 17th. You too will receive a gift from the family that has your name. (As tempting as it is to catch your givers, be considerate that many have little children who would be crushed if you did catch them. All will be revealed in the end.)
There will be a theme for each day:
13th The Reason For The Season- think of a way to help your assigned family remember Christ.
14th- Winter Wonderland- anything(s) to keep your assigned family warm.
15th- Merry and Bright- Use your senses; give something to smell, hear, OR see that brings that Christmas feeling.
16th- Christmas Colors- a decoration that is red, green, gold, OR silver.
17th- Cookies and Carol- bring a treat and deliver it with some doorstep caroling to reveal yourselves and wish each other a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Our Secret Santa brought us some fun gifts and some awesome fudge. We especially liked the Christmas blanket we received on the Winder Wonderland.
It matched pretty well with a cute plate we received last year.
I'm hoping you'd like to be a part of the Family Secret Santa I put together each year! It is so much fun and EVERYONE LOVES it!! It doesn't have to be stressful or expensive, all you have to do is be creative and a little sneaky and you'll have a blast!
Here is the deal-
Starting December 13th you'll bring a gift for the family you get assigned and secretly leave it on their doorstep. (Be as creative as you'd like!!) One gift each day/night until the 17th. You too will receive a gift from the family that has your name. (As tempting as it is to catch your givers, be considerate that many have little children who would be crushed if you did catch them. All will be revealed in the end.)
There will be a theme for each day:
13th The Reason For The Season- think of a way to help your assigned family remember Christ.
14th- Winter Wonderland- anything(s) to keep your assigned family warm.
15th- Merry and Bright- Use your senses; give something to smell, hear, OR see that brings that Christmas feeling.
16th- Christmas Colors- a decoration that is red, green, gold, OR silver.
17th- Cookies and Carol- bring a treat and deliver it with some doorstep caroling to reveal yourselves and wish each other a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Our Secret Santa brought us some fun gifts and some awesome fudge. We especially liked the Christmas blanket we received on the Winder Wonderland.
It matched pretty well with a cute plate we received last year.
Closer to Chirst - Day 5
In wrestling there are two moves called a take down and a reversal.
Satan is very strong and will always take you down.
However, Jesus Christ is stronger and has the power of reversal.
A take down is worth one point--a reversal is worth two.
A take down is worth one point--a reversal is worth two.
Glen L Pace
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Symphony
I bought tickets for the Colorado Symphony's Christmas performance way back in September, thinking surely this date will conflict with something. It did. Chris and I missed out on favorite White Elephant Gift Exchange party. Amy had a work party/training/really it was just a party that she wanted to attend. So Chris, Kristen, Misha, and I went to the symphony and traded in a portion of Amy's tickets toward a future performance.
The Symphony was awesome. The conductor, Christopher Dragon, was engaging and entertaining to watch, especially with his crazy hair. The soloist on many of the songs was Devin Desantis. His voice was beautiful, akin to Josh Groban in sound.
After the concert we walked over to the 16th Street Mall. We hadn't eaten dinner yet and it was almost 9 pm. We decided to wait a little longer on eating so we could check out the Christkindl market before it closed at 9 pm.
We topped off our evening with a simple dinner at Tokyo Joes.
The Symphony was awesome. The conductor, Christopher Dragon, was engaging and entertaining to watch, especially with his crazy hair. The soloist on many of the songs was Devin Desantis. His voice was beautiful, akin to Josh Groban in sound.
After the concert we walked over to the 16th Street Mall. We hadn't eaten dinner yet and it was almost 9 pm. We decided to wait a little longer on eating so we could check out the Christkindl market before it closed at 9 pm.
We topped off our evening with a simple dinner at Tokyo Joes.
Friday, December 15, 2017
Closer to Christ - Day 3
If you have not chosen
the kingdom of God first,
it will in the end
make no difference
what you have chosen instead.
William Law
Middle School Giving
As a member of Student Council, Kristen and the other members sold candy canes so that they could purchase Christmas gifts to donate to an organization such as Santa Cops. The candy cane sales were well over $500.
On the last day of school before Christmas Break, a few of the student council kids met their teacher at the local Walmart where they went on a buying spree in the toy department. The Middle School Principal was there to oversee the project and chipped in the extra $80 when the students' selections went over $600. (It was also formal day at school. Kristen doesn't usually dress up this much for school or Walmart!)
On the last day of school before Christmas Break, a few of the student council kids met their teacher at the local Walmart where they went on a buying spree in the toy department. The Middle School Principal was there to oversee the project and chipped in the extra $80 when the students' selections went over $600. (It was also formal day at school. Kristen doesn't usually dress up this much for school or Walmart!)
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Closer to Christ - Day 2
I had the opportunity of speaking in church last Sunday. I tried to create a cohesive synopsis for my blog.
A couple weeks ago during the administration of the Sacrament. The young man offering the prayer on the bread thoughtfully and deliberately spoke helping me to focus my thoughts on the words of the prayer.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (Moroni 4:3)
Before the prayer even ended, the Holy Ghost whispered, “Jolayne, what does it mean for YOU to take upon yourself the name of Christ?”
I have pondered on that very question since.
I encourage you to read through the words of Reverently and Meekly Now (Hymn 185). As I did so, my eyes were drawn to these lines in the first verse:
Think of me, thou ransomed one;
Think what I for thee have done.
Have you ever consider what it means for you to take upon yourself the name of Christ?”
I was amazed as I was reading in my journal and researching that I was pondering this very question two years ago.
November 19, 2015 I wrote:
My eyes glanced over a post on Facebook days after the Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon in October:
The bravest person in America? The 2nd to admit to being a Christian after the UCC shooter murdered the 1st. Armando Hall
Some words stick in my head and find quiet moments to re-emerge. That is the case with these twenty words.
For most of us, our faith, our devotion to the Savior will never be tested in such a manner. But I do not doubt a declaration will be required of us all, and my thoughts have been persistent: Jolayne Kline, what does it mean for YOU to be a Christian and to be willing to stand as a witness for Jesus Christ?
Ardeth Kapp "Stand for Truth and Righteousness" November 1988 wrote:
We live in one of the most critical periods of all time. The powers of evil are fighting against truth and righteousness, and the battle is reaching a climax. Someday the war between good and evil will be won—a permanent victory for good. But right now each one of you can fight for the right on your own battlefield by making right choices about what you will do and what you won’t do as you learn to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Once you make your decision to do what is right, you don’t have to fight the battle with every temptation that presents itself every day. You simply take a stand and say to yourself, “I will do this; I won’t do that.” And Satan will have to turn elsewhere to find his followers.
Decide to Decide.
Elder Jeffrey R Holland similarly stated:
The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team’s jersey we want to wear!
What does it mean for YOU to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ? What will you do? What won’t you do? Whose jersey will you wear?
What does this mean everyday? What do you do differently in your life because you choose the Savior?
1. In April 2002, Elder Marvin J Ashton noted this: “The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.”
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/the-tongue-can-be-a-sharp-sword.p17?lang=eng
The 3rd verse of Reverently and Meekly Now emphasizes this as well:
With thy brethren be at peace
I am thankful for good people who act as the Savior would act and love as the Savior would love. A couple weeks ago, I helped at a funeral for a man who died of a stroke. Scott was young, vibrant, and well-loved by his family, the community, and his co-workers. As family and friends mingled after the service, I watched a young man walk to the front of the chapel where a large canvas of Scott rested on an easel. I took note as this young man paced in front of this picture, stared at it, and seemed to ache for the loss. You could just tell that there was an emptiness in his heart and unbelief that Scott was gone.
As I walked in and out of the kitchen, serving food and cleaning, I kept my eyes on this young man. He finally sat on the front pew of the chapel with his head in his hands. As I returned to the gym after clearing trays from the serving table, the scene at the front of the chapel had changed. Our bishop sat next to this young man. They sat and talked. Here was a man who acted as the Savior would act and loved as the Savior would love.
Going back through my journal, I was reminded of an example of Misha following this very principle of “acting as the Savior would act.”
She came home one afternoon and said, “Mom, I hope you won’t be mad at me.”
Feb 10, 2012
…Misha was at lunch. One of her classmates did not have lunch and the money in his lunch account was all used up. Misha quietly moved to the lunch line, purchased a school lunch using her own lunch account, and returned to the table with a lunch tray. She set the tray down in front of this hungry young man and then returned to eating the lunch I had packed for her.
When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. Every day. Even when it is not convenient. Even when no one is watching. Even when everyone is watching. Even when someone cuts you off when you are driving.
2. If we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we repent. We forgive. Our hearts are changed.
Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be
E'en forgiven now by me.
Over this past year Kristen has been on a journey of change and personal growth. She turned 12 in April and felt the need to change certain things in her life in preparation for attending the temple to perform baptisms. Like any of us who have drawn upon the power of the Atonement, her life has been changed. Her moral compass points to true north and she is quick to correct little deviations in her life.
At one time, I wrote in my journal, “The power of the atonement amazed me as I watched it enfold my sweet girl…I knew at that very moment that her Savior, Jesus Christ, was wrapping his arms around her.”
As I watched her participate in baptisms in the temple shortly after her 12th birthday, I have never watched a person with a more peaceful look that simply said, “I am HIS, and I am clean.”
In Alma 5:14, Alma the Younger is speaking to people of the church, And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
Skip ahead to vs 26 and 27, "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
3. If we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we trust in Him.
In the solemn faith of prayer
Cast upon me all thy care,
And my Spirit's grace shall be
Like a fountain unto thee.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Early on in Amy’s life she became uniquely acquainted with trusting God and learned that God is a God of miracles.
Ten years ago, Amy was very sick. We took her to the doctor and were told that she simply had the flu as it was going around and just to take her home and make her comfortable. We tried that, but when she wasn't getting better, we found ourselves at a doctor's office on a Saturday morning. I think he could sense that we weren't leaving his office until we had some answers. He didn't quite know what was wrong, but put in motion tests that would result in a miserable day for Amy. Eventually we would get answers.
She was admitted to the hospital when it was determined that her appendix had ruptured. The surgeon that was called in decided that sending Amy to Children's Hospital would give her a much better outcome as they were trained to treat children. Before we were transported to Children's Hospital, Chris called our Bishop who dropped what he was doing to come to the hospital and give Amy a blessing.
March 20, 2007
The blessing [from Bishop Chris LeBaron] was so powerful. What I remember of it was that angels would be with Amy throughout this process. They would watch over her and the doctors and nurses and they would bring comfort and peace. She was blessed that she would be healed but that it would take time with the necessary medical procedures required to heal her. She was told that this experience would be a foundation for her testimony throughout her life and that she would know that Heavenly Father was real and that He loved her, that her Savior was real and had atoned for her. So powerful.
DC 84:88 …I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
It was a hard day for us all, but a day filled with so many miracles. When Amy's appendix ruptured, instead of infecting all of her surrounding organs, the infection formed a mass the size of a grapefruit in her abdomen. That began a course of treatment that lasted a few months, but she was healed.
What does it mean for YOU to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ?
Do we treat each other with a little more kindness? In December and all year long? Do we look to the Atonement for forgiveness? Do we trust in God? I want to conclude with the 4th verse of Reverently and Meekly Now. Listen as though the Savior was speaking these words to you:
At the throne I intercede;
For thee ever do I plead.
I have loved thee as thy friend,
With a love that cannot end.
Be obedient, I implore,
Prayerful, watchful evermore,
And be constant unto me,
That thy Savior I may be.
As we celebrate the birth and life of our Savior at this Christmas season, ask yourself “what does it mean for you to take upon yourself the name of Christ?” I challenge you to then act on that answer.
Reverently and Meekly Now
A couple weeks ago during the administration of the Sacrament. The young man offering the prayer on the bread thoughtfully and deliberately spoke helping me to focus my thoughts on the words of the prayer.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (Moroni 4:3)
Before the prayer even ended, the Holy Ghost whispered, “Jolayne, what does it mean for YOU to take upon yourself the name of Christ?”
I have pondered on that very question since.
I encourage you to read through the words of Reverently and Meekly Now (Hymn 185). As I did so, my eyes were drawn to these lines in the first verse:
Think of me, thou ransomed one;
Think what I for thee have done.
Have you ever consider what it means for you to take upon yourself the name of Christ?”
I was amazed as I was reading in my journal and researching that I was pondering this very question two years ago.
November 19, 2015 I wrote:
My eyes glanced over a post on Facebook days after the Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon in October:
The bravest person in America? The 2nd to admit to being a Christian after the UCC shooter murdered the 1st. Armando Hall
Some words stick in my head and find quiet moments to re-emerge. That is the case with these twenty words.
For most of us, our faith, our devotion to the Savior will never be tested in such a manner. But I do not doubt a declaration will be required of us all, and my thoughts have been persistent: Jolayne Kline, what does it mean for YOU to be a Christian and to be willing to stand as a witness for Jesus Christ?
Ardeth Kapp "Stand for Truth and Righteousness" November 1988 wrote:
We live in one of the most critical periods of all time. The powers of evil are fighting against truth and righteousness, and the battle is reaching a climax. Someday the war between good and evil will be won—a permanent victory for good. But right now each one of you can fight for the right on your own battlefield by making right choices about what you will do and what you won’t do as you learn to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Once you make your decision to do what is right, you don’t have to fight the battle with every temptation that presents itself every day. You simply take a stand and say to yourself, “I will do this; I won’t do that.” And Satan will have to turn elsewhere to find his followers.
Decide to Decide.
Elder Jeffrey R Holland similarly stated:
The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team’s jersey we want to wear!
What does it mean for YOU to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ? What will you do? What won’t you do? Whose jersey will you wear?
What does this mean everyday? What do you do differently in your life because you choose the Savior?
1. In April 2002, Elder Marvin J Ashton noted this: “The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.”
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/the-tongue-can-be-a-sharp-sword.p17?lang=eng
The 3rd verse of Reverently and Meekly Now emphasizes this as well:
With thy brethren be at peace
I am thankful for good people who act as the Savior would act and love as the Savior would love. A couple weeks ago, I helped at a funeral for a man who died of a stroke. Scott was young, vibrant, and well-loved by his family, the community, and his co-workers. As family and friends mingled after the service, I watched a young man walk to the front of the chapel where a large canvas of Scott rested on an easel. I took note as this young man paced in front of this picture, stared at it, and seemed to ache for the loss. You could just tell that there was an emptiness in his heart and unbelief that Scott was gone.
As I walked in and out of the kitchen, serving food and cleaning, I kept my eyes on this young man. He finally sat on the front pew of the chapel with his head in his hands. As I returned to the gym after clearing trays from the serving table, the scene at the front of the chapel had changed. Our bishop sat next to this young man. They sat and talked. Here was a man who acted as the Savior would act and loved as the Savior would love.
Going back through my journal, I was reminded of an example of Misha following this very principle of “acting as the Savior would act.”
She came home one afternoon and said, “Mom, I hope you won’t be mad at me.”
Feb 10, 2012
…Misha was at lunch. One of her classmates did not have lunch and the money in his lunch account was all used up. Misha quietly moved to the lunch line, purchased a school lunch using her own lunch account, and returned to the table with a lunch tray. She set the tray down in front of this hungry young man and then returned to eating the lunch I had packed for her.
When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. Every day. Even when it is not convenient. Even when no one is watching. Even when everyone is watching. Even when someone cuts you off when you are driving.
2. If we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we repent. We forgive. Our hearts are changed.
Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be
E'en forgiven now by me.
Over this past year Kristen has been on a journey of change and personal growth. She turned 12 in April and felt the need to change certain things in her life in preparation for attending the temple to perform baptisms. Like any of us who have drawn upon the power of the Atonement, her life has been changed. Her moral compass points to true north and she is quick to correct little deviations in her life.
At one time, I wrote in my journal, “The power of the atonement amazed me as I watched it enfold my sweet girl…I knew at that very moment that her Savior, Jesus Christ, was wrapping his arms around her.”
As I watched her participate in baptisms in the temple shortly after her 12th birthday, I have never watched a person with a more peaceful look that simply said, “I am HIS, and I am clean.”
In Alma 5:14, Alma the Younger is speaking to people of the church, And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
Skip ahead to vs 26 and 27, "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
3. If we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we trust in Him.
In the solemn faith of prayer
Cast upon me all thy care,
And my Spirit's grace shall be
Like a fountain unto thee.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Early on in Amy’s life she became uniquely acquainted with trusting God and learned that God is a God of miracles.
Ten years ago, Amy was very sick. We took her to the doctor and were told that she simply had the flu as it was going around and just to take her home and make her comfortable. We tried that, but when she wasn't getting better, we found ourselves at a doctor's office on a Saturday morning. I think he could sense that we weren't leaving his office until we had some answers. He didn't quite know what was wrong, but put in motion tests that would result in a miserable day for Amy. Eventually we would get answers.
She was admitted to the hospital when it was determined that her appendix had ruptured. The surgeon that was called in decided that sending Amy to Children's Hospital would give her a much better outcome as they were trained to treat children. Before we were transported to Children's Hospital, Chris called our Bishop who dropped what he was doing to come to the hospital and give Amy a blessing.
March 20, 2007
The blessing [from Bishop Chris LeBaron] was so powerful. What I remember of it was that angels would be with Amy throughout this process. They would watch over her and the doctors and nurses and they would bring comfort and peace. She was blessed that she would be healed but that it would take time with the necessary medical procedures required to heal her. She was told that this experience would be a foundation for her testimony throughout her life and that she would know that Heavenly Father was real and that He loved her, that her Savior was real and had atoned for her. So powerful.
DC 84:88 …I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
It was a hard day for us all, but a day filled with so many miracles. When Amy's appendix ruptured, instead of infecting all of her surrounding organs, the infection formed a mass the size of a grapefruit in her abdomen. That began a course of treatment that lasted a few months, but she was healed.
What does it mean for YOU to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ?
Do we treat each other with a little more kindness? In December and all year long? Do we look to the Atonement for forgiveness? Do we trust in God? I want to conclude with the 4th verse of Reverently and Meekly Now. Listen as though the Savior was speaking these words to you:
At the throne I intercede;
For thee ever do I plead.
I have loved thee as thy friend,
With a love that cannot end.
Be obedient, I implore,
Prayerful, watchful evermore,
And be constant unto me,
That thy Savior I may be.
As we celebrate the birth and life of our Savior at this Christmas season, ask yourself “what does it mean for you to take upon yourself the name of Christ?” I challenge you to then act on that answer.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Closer to Christ - Day 1
And we talk of Christ,
we rejoice in Christ,
we preach of Christ,
we prophecy of Christ,
and we write according to our prophecies,
that our children may know to what source they may look to
for a remission of sins.
2 Nephi 25:26
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Hearse
I pulled up to a stoplight next to a hearse and noticed a question on the back window. Seriously?
Closer to Christ - Day 8
Kristen came home from school and shared that she had been studying Christianity in Social Studies. Her class was taking notes, and one of the questions to answer was "What is the trinity?"
"I tried to write what it was but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I wrote, 'God is one person, and the others are separate beings (Jesus, Holy Ghost),' which is the exact opposite."
I am proud of her for standing for truth and righteousness.
"I tried to write what it was but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I wrote, 'God is one person, and the others are separate beings (Jesus, Holy Ghost),' which is the exact opposite."
I am proud of her for standing for truth and righteousness.
I Want a Breakfast Burrito!
Conversation between Misha and Chris on Messages Family Chat:
Misha: I want a breakfast burrito
Chris: That’s great. You’re at school!
Misha: You’re not. Can you bring me one? Anyonneeee
Chris: Find a 3D printer
Misha: But they don’t print food here
Chris: Sounds like you made a poor choice in schools then
Misha: YOU SENT ME HERE
Misha: I want a breakfast burrito
Chris: That’s great. You’re at school!
Misha: You’re not. Can you bring me one? Anyonneeee
Chris: Find a 3D printer
Misha: But they don’t print food here
Chris: Sounds like you made a poor choice in schools then
Misha: YOU SENT ME HERE
Monday, December 11, 2017
Amy is 18
Amy turned 18. We are excited for the changes in her future, for new opportunities, and for a chance for Amy to spread her wings. She is beautiful, dependable, capable, loving, humorous, and loved.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Live Nativity
Our next door neighbor is Misha's seminary teacher this year (she teaches in her home), and our friend who lives down the street teaches seminary at the church. These two ladies combined their seminary classes to host a live nativity and food drive. Even though we have been having unseasonably warm weather, once the sun went down in the evening, the winter chill set in.
Misha got to be the star. The kids stayed at the nativity scene for an hour while neighbors, friends, and church members came by to enjoy the scene, drink hot cocoa, eat treats, and mingle. I was happy to see a few of our neighbors in attendance. It was a great missionary opportunity and the beginning, I think, of a new tradition.
Misha got to be the star. The kids stayed at the nativity scene for an hour while neighbors, friends, and church members came by to enjoy the scene, drink hot cocoa, eat treats, and mingle. I was happy to see a few of our neighbors in attendance. It was a great missionary opportunity and the beginning, I think, of a new tradition.
A Hug Solves the Problem
Chris was coming up the stairs and Misha was coming down. Misha moved left, Dad moved left. She moved right, he moved right. Finally, frustrated, she simply engulfed him in a hug. Problem solved.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Kristen's Christmas Pajama Party
Kristen has been begging me on many occasions to allow her to have a party. I finally relented thinking she was old enough to plan and prepare and coordinate without me having to supervise the entire thing.
She created the Evite, planned who to invite, planned the activities, and then helped with the shopping and preparation. She invited 14 or 15 friends from church and school and had about 12 or 13 friends plus herself attend.
They had a party opener with a get to know you better activity, snacks and treats, cookie decorating, games, and then a gift exchange. I am just glad I only have one 12-year old.
She created the Evite, planned who to invite, planned the activities, and then helped with the shopping and preparation. She invited 14 or 15 friends from church and school and had about 12 or 13 friends plus herself attend.
They had a party opener with a get to know you better activity, snacks and treats, cookie decorating, games, and then a gift exchange. I am just glad I only have one 12-year old.
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Gingerbread Cookies
My girls absolutely love the gingerbread recipe that we use for cookies at Christmas. It really makes a nice dough, but to be the best tasting, the cookies need to be frosted. The frosting adds to the taste of the cookies and keeps them soft.
Gingerbread Christmas Cookies
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups dark molasses
2/3 cup cold water
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
6-7 cups all-purpose flour
Cream together sugar, shortening, molasses, and water. Add spices and soda and mix well. Add flour. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thick and cut into favorite shapes. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes. Use Buttercream Frosting recipe to decorate.
I like that they make the cookies without my assistance now.
Gingerbread Christmas Cookies
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups dark molasses
2/3 cup cold water
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
6-7 cups all-purpose flour
Cream together sugar, shortening, molasses, and water. Add spices and soda and mix well. Add flour. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thick and cut into favorite shapes. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes. Use Buttercream Frosting recipe to decorate.
I like that they make the cookies without my assistance now.
Christmas PJs
Our Christmas month began at the beginning of December with our traditional giving of the Christmas PJs and drawing names for our Christmas Eve family celebration. The girls seem to love getting new jammies. Misha quickly put her pajama top on over her clothes for my picture.
Misha quickly put her pajama top on over her clothes for my picture.
Misha quickly put her pajama top on over her clothes for my picture.
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