I recently wrote a letter to a missionary friend about some thoughts I was having about this upcoming Christmas...I thought I would share.
I was thinking about something recently and I thought I would share. It has to do with the First Presidency Message in the Ensign this month. President Eyring says, "Most of all, sometimes it is hard for us to be sufficiently grateful for the greatest gifts we receive: the birth of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, the promise of resurrection, the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with our families, the Restoration of the gospel with the priesthood and its keys. Only with the help of the Holy Ghost can we begin to feel what those blessings mean for us and for those we love." Our home teachers shared that quote with us and it hit me so hard. I have been a bit worried this month because Tanner and I don't have the means to get each other presents that we want to or even gifts for our family members. Like I said, we're really poor. I've always had large Christmas'. That was the time in our family to be spoiled. I was having a hard time grasping the fact that we each only had a little bit of money to provide for each other and our many family members. I wanted so desperately for my husband to wake up on Christmas morning and to see things I had searched for and prepared for him but I knew that wasn't going to happen. It felt like that Christmas story involving a newly married couple, the woman cuts her hair to pay for a chain for her husbands watch. Then the husband sells his prized watch for hair combs for his wife's beautiful hair. As I read and re-read that quote I realized that the knowledge that I have about this gospel, the birth of my Savior, His Atonement and the blessings of the temple and eternal covenants with my Heavenly Father and my husband were all I needed. That was enough. Those were the gifts of our Savior and Heavenly Father. We are so blessed. I know that Christmas this year will not be big and I will not be able to give everything I wanted to to my husband. But I also know that my commitment to Jesus Christ is enough. I know my husband does the same and our little family is eternal. That is one of the greatest gifts of all. I will be together with my family for forever. I thank my Heavenly Father for that incredible gift. The Plan of Salvation is for our happiness and without or Savior, Jesus Christ, none of it would be possible.
Truly, we are so blessed. We watched The Grinch last night and it's message rang true-all you need is your family. Have a happy week! :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Christmas Around the World
It's my fifth Christmas Around the World. I don't know how to survive college without it I guess.
Each week after Thanksgiving break I get little sleep, skip many classes and eat lots of crock pot meals (if I'm organized). I also get to spend time with wonderful friends, lots of Christmas tree fluffing and bags of ice wrapped around my calves. So worth it.
I'll probably cry tomorrow night knowing it's the last time I'll be looking up into the audience from the ginormous stage in the Marriott. It's beautiful really, the Christmas season, spending time preparing for an incredibly involved show and finally prancing around in those red boots.
The best part of Christmas Around the World, besides spending 10-11 hours in the Marriott center every day, are the devotionals. I was asked to share some thoughts with my performing team this evening and felt completely and utterly inspired by the Lord as I was preparing. What an incredible feeling. Here's what has been on my mind lately and I can't wait to share these simple truths with my team tonight.
I'll condense it to the main points for you :)
Trials and hardship will always come our way. The Lord just asks that we handle them with a smile. Easier said than done right? How are we supposed to see the light throughout these difficult times-especially at two a.m. with a paper due the next day and finals looming at the end of the dark tunnel. In the Book of Mormon there are countless examples of what righteous people do when they are faced with these seemingly dooming trials. They give thanks because no one can deliver them out of bondage except the Lord. President Henry B. Eyring shares wonderful insight when he says, "We must ask in prayer that God, by the power of the Holy Ghost, will help us see our blessings clearly even in the midst of our trials. He can help us by the power of the Spirit to recognize and be grateful for blessings we take for granted. What has helped me the most is to ask God in prayer, "Wouldst Thou please direct me to someone I can help for Thee? It is in helping God bless others that I have seen my own blessings more clearly" Me too.
He continues, " We all can make the choice to give thanks in prayer and to ask God for direction to serve others for Him--especially during this time of year when we celebrate the Savior's birth. God the Father gave His Son, and Jesus Christ gave us the Atonement, the greatest of all gifts and all giving (see D&C 14:7)"
I'm going to challenge you and my team tonight to not think of yourself. Especially as you are in the midst of your trials. Harder times always get better but they will get better faster if you think of others. Humble yourself and think less about yourself.
Merry Christmas Around the World!
Each week after Thanksgiving break I get little sleep, skip many classes and eat lots of crock pot meals (if I'm organized). I also get to spend time with wonderful friends, lots of Christmas tree fluffing and bags of ice wrapped around my calves. So worth it.
I'll probably cry tomorrow night knowing it's the last time I'll be looking up into the audience from the ginormous stage in the Marriott. It's beautiful really, the Christmas season, spending time preparing for an incredibly involved show and finally prancing around in those red boots.
The best part of Christmas Around the World, besides spending 10-11 hours in the Marriott center every day, are the devotionals. I was asked to share some thoughts with my performing team this evening and felt completely and utterly inspired by the Lord as I was preparing. What an incredible feeling. Here's what has been on my mind lately and I can't wait to share these simple truths with my team tonight.
I'll condense it to the main points for you :)
Trials and hardship will always come our way. The Lord just asks that we handle them with a smile. Easier said than done right? How are we supposed to see the light throughout these difficult times-especially at two a.m. with a paper due the next day and finals looming at the end of the dark tunnel. In the Book of Mormon there are countless examples of what righteous people do when they are faced with these seemingly dooming trials. They give thanks because no one can deliver them out of bondage except the Lord. President Henry B. Eyring shares wonderful insight when he says, "We must ask in prayer that God, by the power of the Holy Ghost, will help us see our blessings clearly even in the midst of our trials. He can help us by the power of the Spirit to recognize and be grateful for blessings we take for granted. What has helped me the most is to ask God in prayer, "Wouldst Thou please direct me to someone I can help for Thee? It is in helping God bless others that I have seen my own blessings more clearly" Me too.
He continues, " We all can make the choice to give thanks in prayer and to ask God for direction to serve others for Him--especially during this time of year when we celebrate the Savior's birth. God the Father gave His Son, and Jesus Christ gave us the Atonement, the greatest of all gifts and all giving (see D&C 14:7)"
I'm going to challenge you and my team tonight to not think of yourself. Especially as you are in the midst of your trials. Harder times always get better but they will get better faster if you think of others. Humble yourself and think less about yourself.
Merry Christmas Around the World!
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