A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Christmas Eve

My family, like most in America, is a conglomeration of many different cultures.  We try to incorporate many of them into our own holiday traditions.  My mother is half Irish, half Norwegian, and my father was half Danish, half English.  So we have a lot of different customs we enjoy.

One that we always celebrated was on Christmas Eve.  My mother, through her Norwegian lineage, held a belief that the Christ Child walks again on Christmas Eve looking for a place to stay.  Of course, you won't recognize him as the Christ ... he could be your neighbor, a friend from church or school, or a stranger whose car has broken down in front of your house. 

My mother always had the house cleaned with cookies and cocoa at the ready.  And, this was most important, a light needed to be shining to lead the way to your doorstep.

I still believe in that tradition.  My house is always ready on Christmas Eve to take in whomever knocks at my door.  And by ready I don't mean a cleaned and sparkling house so much as that our hearts are ready to receive the friendship and love that may come calling, and our hands ready to serve those who need it.

"God does notice us, and he watches over us.  But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.  Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom."  Spencer W. Kimball, 1895-1995

Getting Ready

We have a tradition in our family for Christmas Eve.  We always have dinner of shrimp fondue with Christmas cookies for dessert.  After everything is cleaned up we have a Christmas program.  When our whole family is together, my sister is usually the one who comes up with the most elaborate and fun part of the evening but this year I've decided to give it a shot since she's not around.  I've made a Christmas Jeapordy game, and after a lot of research and technical difficulties in putting a game board together, I think I'm ready to play Alex Trebek tomorrow night.

My categories are: Who Said It? in which you must name the character and the show in which they said the quote; Christmas Song Lyrics; Santa Claus; Christmas Traditions; and Christmas Show Characters.

Like Jeapordy, my family will have to give the question to the supplied answer.  Since my family doesn't check my blog, here is a sample for you to try out... from the category of Christmas Traditions:  The tradition of using noisemakers such as these during winter carried over into the celebration of Christmas.  But instead of making noise to keep away evil things, people made noise to celebrate something happy.

Know the question??

We've also picked up our Christmas tamales which we'll enjoy for our Christmas Eve lunch.  My friend Sommar gave us some homemade salsa (which is AMAZING!!) and we'll finish up our wrapping and have the house bursting with music.  I love Christmas Eve as we prepare for the holiday.

Our final event tomorrow night is Stan's annual candle lighting ceremony.  It's how we remember that Christ came to earth and gave us His light.  With Him in our lives He lights our way and gives our lives .... everything.  We sing Christmas hymns and sit in the soft light of those candles and give ourselves time to reflect on the past year and our blessings.  It's a lovely way to wrap up the night and look forward to Christmas morning.

I hope you all have and enjoy your own family traditions as we do.  Such a special and lovely time of the year.

Oh!  And the question for the answer above:  What are Christmas bells?

Have a great holiday!

Christmas Lights!

Last night was our annual Christmas Light Night where we go out and roam the city looking for the best and most fun displays of holiday lights.  And wow, did we find some!  Our very own street was almost completely decked out so we started off knowing it was going to be a fun experience.

We visited our friends homes in the area and the neighborhoods around us and also went up and visited a church north of us that has a full display you can drive through.  It had lights on the trees synchronized to music, groups of singers waving and serenading us, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa's workshop, and ending with a live nativity.  They had the three wisemen, an angel appearing to shepherds, and of course a star over a manger.  It was a wonderful display and experience.

It was a special night after our fast and having Stan join us at church.  Kevin is sick, but we bundled him up and he was able to join us too.  It was the end of a perfect weekend.  It made us all feel so blessed to be a family and that we share a special bond and love between us.  It's going to be a great Christmas!

Looking Forward to Sunday

Just want to thank all of you for praying and/or fasting for AJ tomorrow.  He's feeling so much more positive and upbeat.  Your prayers are working!

And another blessing: Stan has agreed to attend church with us tomorrow and to fast for AJ as well.  Since he is not of the same faith as us, this is such a special offer from him.  He loves his son and will support him anyway he can. 

AJ's spirits are up so much from last weekend, and it is because all of our dear friends, near and far, are praying for him.  Thank you all.  We'll keep you posted on his quest to become a missionary.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."

~ Bob Hope, 1903-2003

I've Become a Hair Stalker!!

Yup, it's true.  I am a hair stalker.  I am in the mood for a new hair style, and have discovered that I am constantly scoping out other women's hair.  I was even watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas special last night and, while I was listening to and enjoying the music, I found that as the camera panned over the women I was looking at their hair! 

"Gee that's a cute style!"  "I wonder if that would look good on me?" "How did she get that look, with a curling iron or rollers?"   

I even ran into some friends at Costco yesterday and I was checking out their hair as well.  I guess no one's safe when looking for a new look.  Now I just want to know ..... is it ME????

Some Thoughts on the Season

The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.
--Henry David Thoreau
1817-1872

The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.
--Helen Keller
1880-1968

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.
--Mother Teresa
1910-1997

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.
--Anonymous

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.
 ~Charles Dickens
1812-1870

Thank You

AJ and I would like to thank all of you who have responded to our request for prayers on Sunday.  Our hearts are full.  AJ told me he feels so humbled by so many of you who are offering to pray and/or fast with him so that he may be able to serve a mission.

Last night he told me that the scripture that best describes how he feels is D&C 121:7-9. 

That is the beauty of the gospel ... we stand together.  We support and love each other in our trials and our joys. 

Our family looks forward to Sunday and feeling the strength of prayer and the spirit of the season.  We know things will turn around for AJ and it won't be long before his dream of being a missionary will be reality.  Thank you all.

A SPECIAL REQUEST

About a month ago I posted the news that AJ had put in his papers for his mission.  It took a long year before he was able to submit those papers.  He wants so badly to serve a mission and that year of waiting was difficult for him. 

Unfortunately, he has hit another snag in his quest and this time it is hitting him very hard.  I am afraid he is close to giving up his dream, and I know that is not what he wants. 

Tonight he asked me if I would "ask all your ladies" if you would pray for him and if you can, join us in a fast next Sunday, the 20th, that he might be able to fulfill his desire to serve a mission.

Those of you who know AJ know what a great person he is and what a wonderful missionary he will make.  Please remember him in your prayers that this might happen for him.  Thank you very much.