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!