Day One of Seven Nativity Traditions-The STABLE

 Day One of Seven Nativity Traditions

by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

                              Day One-The Stable

DB: When [Mary] was maybe nine months pregnant, they made the trek into Bethlehem to find that everybody else from the line of David was also there, so the city was packed full of people. There was a lot of busy-ness, there were a lot of crowds, and no inn had room for Mary and Joseph, which means no place had room for Jesus.

EBF: Maybe we can look at that night, that first Christmas night when Joseph and Mary went away to a tiny stable—a holy place, a sacred place where they could get away from everything. . . . Maybe we can make room for Jesus Christ in our celebrations this year. Maybe we can create sacred spaces and holy places as we celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas this year.

Invitation and Tradition Idea:

The invitation and tradition for day number one is to display an empty stable. And every time you pass by it, maybe you can think, “What can I do this week or what can I do today to make more room for Jesus in my Christmas celebrations?”

Day Two-7-day Nativity Tradition-JOSEPH

by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

Today, I will share what Joseph represents and his part in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
On this holy night, Joseph's heartfelt desire was to make sure everything was ready for the miracle that was about to take place. On the night Jesus was born, Joseph acted with KINDNESS.

                                                    Day Two-Joseph

JOSEPH represents the desires of our hearts. He reminds us of the secret acts of Christmas kindness given with sacrifice and love to the broken, the weary, the lost, or the lonely.
One of the Savior's most prominent traits was KINDNESS -- a loving, gentle nature that sought the good in others and caused Him to treat them accordingly. When we offer the gift of KINDNESS to Him, we recognize each person we encounter (including ourselves!), is a much loved son or daughter of our Father in Heaven. When we walk in His shoes, we treat others with kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

President Thomas S. Monson has said, "Is there someone for whom you should provide service this Christmas? Is there one who awaits your visit (following the Covid-19 guidelines)?...There is yet time this year to extend a helping hand, a loving heart and a willing spirit. In other words, to follow the example set by our Savior and to serve as he would have us serve."

May your holiday season be centered on being Christlike--kind, caring, loving, and having charity.

#Give Thanks Posts for November 2020

This is a thank you card painted by my little neighbor, Odin, who is less than two-years-old!

Russell M. Nelson, Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a seven-day challenge to run up to Thanksgiving day to post what and who we are thankful for and why.  Below is one of my own posts, followed by some well-written posts by a dear family member (with her permission).  She, along with others, made me even the more grateful because the "thank you" posts were exceptionally inspiring and thought provoking. 

DAY 6 POST by me:  I'm having trouble wrapping up this week's #GiveThanks challenge. Reading the many beautiful expressions of gratitude that others have posted has enlarged my gratitude like the Grinch's heart growing bigger by the minute. I have realized, even more, how thankful I am for the talents/gifts of others. I've been touched, enriched, motivated, uplifted and blessed beyond measure by people who share their music, art, writing, humor, insights, and wisdom; their talents/gifts/skills to fix, build, and create; to encourage and listen and love and care and inspire, , and their beautiful spirit. When I see or hear you, I know we are all precious children of God and He has given each of us talents/gifts to share with others so we can be instruments in His hands to serve others and spread joy and encouragement.

 Day 3,  by Whitney Sowby:

I am so thankful for sisters. I have my biological sister, Brittany, who has always made any situation fun and exciting. I have my mom, who has become almost more of a sister now that I am grown. I have my extended family “sisters” in my mother in law, sister-in-laws, my beloved aunts, my cousins, my grandmas. They have loved me throughout my life. I can think of numberless stories about them defending me and loving and supporting me. I have my “sisters” in my friends and neighbors. I have had soooo many talks, sharing, learning from these ladies. So many discussions and tears together.

Tonight I was thinking about a problem my child was having (fear of the dark). And I remembered a dear friend who counseled me on her own experiences with her children. Though we do not live close, her previous counsel helped me again tonight.

My many walk and talks with friends and family have taught me so much. The “sisters” in my life are strong in each of their unique and special ways, and I have been lifted up, taught and loved by these amazing women. I can think of something I have learned from each one of you.

I am truly grateful for my many sisters. I thank my loving God for having them in my life.

Day 4, by Whitney Sowby:

Is anyone else having a hard time some days actually narrowing down a #givethanks to really one good idea/topic?!?! Can I just say everything?!

The closest I can get to everything, besides life (Day1 grateful post) is knowledge. And as I am only a mere mortal and cannot experience a fraction of things in my short life, I am blessed with the history of many more mere mortals’ knowledge being amassed together for my edification in the form of books.

Today I am grateful for books. Sooo many books.

I am thankful for the scriptures which give me a road map for my life. That bring God’s eternal message and His personal ministry to me to study at my own mortal pace. I am grateful for the many testimonies held in these scriptures and the power the hold as they teach me something new every time I read them.

I am thankful for books of learning; I have read thousands of books for school and job in text books,scientific journals and articles. And I still don’t know anything. The world holds so many fascinating things; that we have learned and have yet to discover. I am thankful for the biology/physiology/genetics books that have brought great understanding in my life. These science book have especially brought me a testimony of God’s great power and mercies.

I am thankful for books of fun; since I was young, I have devoured fiction. Little house on the prairie, Goosebumps, Nancy Drew, boxcar children, Anne of Green Gable, Jurassic Park, Tennis Shoes among the Nephites, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, The Work and the Glory, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Dan Brown, James Herriot, Matthew Rielly, Brent Weeks......so many.......and ultimately Brandon Sanderson. Don’t interrupt me if I’m in the middle of a good book!!!

I am thankful for the “easy read books”. I love sitting with my kids and helping them learning the magnificent power of reading. I am thankful for the books I read aloud to them (Currently Wednesdays at the Castle). I treasure my reading time with them.

I am thankful for the smell and feel of a paperback book. I am also thankful for my kindle app that I can read at night while up with my babies.

I am thankful for the encyclopedic knowledge now always at my fingertips as I can google search or Wikipedia any question I can dream up, that I used to have to flip to find instead.

I am thankful I am born in this time where as a woman I am free to learn to read, and have such vast treasure troves to access.

Day 5, by Whitney Sowby

I am thankful for those who help me care for my body. The doctors, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, techs/nurses and on and on.

Our bodies are miraculous, but take a great deal of care and work. I greatly value the time,

energy, money and work that comes to those who train for years and years to help us the best we know how to.

I am grateful for the researchers that continue to find new ways to help care for our bodies (Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Ben Kell, Sam Sharpe, Huachun Zhong, and more).

My entire life has been surrounded by those that work in healthcare. I am grateful for my husband, father and brothers, cousins and friends that have dedicated so much to help others. I am grateful for my mother, who had no heathcare training but was still there to care for me in sickness and pain.

I had an accident my junior year in high school and shattered some of my front teeth. Our family dentist took excellent care of me. Without the knowledge, tools, skills and expertise, I would look very scary and wouldn’t have been able to eat until my teeth were pulled. I am sure I would have had infections which have killed so many. I wouldn’t have had the same quality of life. And this is just a small example of the wonders of medicine.

I had horrible vision. Without my corrective eye care, I could barely see the creases in my hand held at arms length. With lasik, my eyes have been made more correct- I have perfect vision. It has been a blessing to wake up in the middle of the night (with the crying babies) and to be able to see.

I an so grateful for those that helped deliver my babies and helped monitor my and my baby’s health through pregnancy.

So many ailments that in the past have crippled and killed, today have lost their sting. Granted, there are still so many diseases and problems still, but we are still learning and trying. Advancement doesn’t come without work and not giving up.

Thank you to all those whose work helps others and their health.

          *********************************

There you have just a taste of the remarkable gratetude that filled the pages of social media for seven extra-thankful days! 

 

 

Why I Believe Devotional - October

This is well worth your time if you desire to experience an uplift with hope and strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.  You will gain much joy in knowing they love you, watch over you, and will be there for you to help you through anything.  Skip the first half of the video until the devotional part comes on at 29:37.

 The beginning and end of this video have music playing and a few people sharing their personal stories of how they found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Watch other devotionals of the England Manchester Mission on YouTube. 

                    Why I Believe Devotional

Hello and Goodbye to The Sunflowers

 

I've enjoyed the wild sunflowers more than ever this year.  Perhaps it is because of the pandemic.  I'm not going places and doing things other than riding my bike through the neighborhood.  It has been hard not to visit family and hug grandchildren, in particuplar, but this is a temporary thing and I've decided fretting isn't worth the energy.  Instead, I've resolved to enjoy everyday small moments and see the beauty around me everywhere. The sunflowers, and other wild weed/flowers particularly have brightened my world.

The other day, riding along on my bike, I saw this tall sunflower plant standing proud and brilliant in the sun.  A family had stopped to look at it and the mother had picked a couple of the flowers and handed them to her small son.  I thought it might have been better to just admire them and talk about how they grow in the worst soil with not much keeping them down.  Wildflowers never last if they're cut and brought inside.  Anyway, two days later that beautiful plant was mowed down, along with others growing nearby.

The area where the sunflowers were growing looked like a war zone where someone had ran over the area with a mower.  It looked far worse than if they'd just left the weeds and flowers growing.  Seriously, the weeds with the purple tops and the sunflowers were quite pretty. Why would anyone consider these plants a problem when they were just growing along side the road in gravel?  Did they think they were a fire hazard?  They grew near alfalfa fields with no homes close.  I was very sad to see the sunflowers ruined while yet it their glory.  The purple weeds were gone too.

Perhaps we could appreciate the gifts nature gives us even in the form of weeds.  Just because we didn't plant and tend something doesn't mean it is worthless.  Sure, some weeds are noxious and prevent cultivated things from growing but can't we leave the ones that aren't bothering anyone or creating a problem?

This is what I wrote to the sunflowers that were cut down (I know you'll think this silly but it did really affect me.):

Dear Sunflowers,

Why would anyone mow you down?  You were just handin' out hoping for sunlight and perhaps a little dew.  You brought light to a darkened world with your bright yellow that I enjoyed each day as I passed you by.

You grew in gravel, thin soil, and amongst debris but reached for the sky anyway though rain rarely came your way.  You grew in the worst of conditions and made the best of what you had by not just surviving but thriving with the little you were given. You lined the fences, the ditch banks, the side of the roads, and popped up in the middle of the fields bringing a marvelous display with freedom to reach for the sun in a joyful yellow dance. You decorated rock and garbage piles, somehow adding beauty to things considered abandoned and ugly. Your sunny faces bobbed in the wind.  Nothing much could take you down except what finally did. 

It truly was a shock when I saw your season of splender cut short and your lovely stalks flat on the ground and those pretty faces in the dirt.  You are gone.  Cut down in your prime and glory.  I'm so sorry, lovely sunflowers.  I mourn the loss of you, an important part of my present life. Your cheer is gone but I still feel warmth inside for what you gave.  I'm sorry that not everyone noticed your magnificent display.  

Thank you for your sunshine.

I loved you dearly.

The Miracle of Hope | Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Perfect is Perfectly Overused

Don't worry about being perfect but do your best to stand strong in your values and beliefs. The negative opinions in the world will not sway you to believe you're not good enough.

Apparently, I do everything perfectly. Cool, huh? I know this because everywhere I go someone tells me whatever I’ve done is perfect. It is said emphatically often with a little upward lilt at the end of the drawn-out purr.

As an example, consider my recent visit to the bank where I signed a paper that was declared perfect by the bank associate. I also discovered in the past couple of years that my orders placed at various restaurants are always perfect. If I want straws, it is perfect and if I don’t want straws, it’s still perfect. My mouth is always full when a server in a restaurant asked, “How is everything?” To which I can only say, “Ummm,” and shake my head up and down while I am told, “perfect..” How can I lose? The money I hand to the clerks in the store is perfect (even the torn $20 I taped back together). My purchases at any store are deemed perfect. The fact that I found everything I wanted in the store (as asked by the courteous clerk) is followed by an affirmative, “Perfect.” All answers I give to questions on the phone or in-person are perfect. When asked if I’m warm with the blanket given me before surgery and I happen to be, then that is perfect. My opinion on a poll, my favorite TV show, book, method of doing something, and thousands of other things I’ve done, chosen, or commented on have been proclaimed perfect. Imagine that.

In the old days, before “perfect” became the go-to comment to almost everything, I remember people using other words like, “Thank you,” “That’s great,” “Yes,” “Good,” “Great choice!” “Okay,” “Alright,” and any number of useful or neutral responses (I’m not judging them better than awesome perfect, of course). Anyone remember John Denver and his “Far Out?” Or, how about “Groovy?” Word fads come and go. A couple of years ago “insane” hit the phrase rage and everything that was fabulous, shocking, wonderful, or just too much was deemed “insane.” No one forgets the “like” preceding many words, especially used by, like, teenagers. Many sentences these days begin with “so,” my husband points out. Studying the evolution of speech is quite interesting, really.

According to a dictionary, perfect means: being entirely without fault or defect—FLAWLESS; satisfying all requirements: ACCURATE, EXPERT, PROFICIENT TOTAL, and lacking in no essential detail: COMPLETE. It also said it used to mean SANE but that is obsolete.

With my false sense of perfectness, I find myself using the “P” word. This trend is contagious!
Really, it’s okay. Perfect is a much better word to use than some ugly words we’re hearing too often these days. It is always fun to count how many perfects I can collect in a day. It makes for a perfect day on the bright side and my head gets a little bigger as I perfect.

On the other hand, perhaps some of the above definitions do fit certain situations nicely and warrant using “perfect,” but I’d like to think that “sane” might come out of obsoleteness and send “perfect” back to where it belongs.