"Sorrows forgot, love's purest joys remain"

Just now, at 2:08 pm, I heard these words from an LDS hymn ""Sorrows forgot, love's purest joys remain." How sweet they are to my heavy heart.

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel, b. 1697;
trans. by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897====

Today I'm feeling a bit low as I was struck with some insight of those I call friends. And it is hurting my heart. There is rarely anything that can be done when someone wrongs us, or misunderstands us. What we can do is kneel to pray, and that is just what I have done this morning.

I knelt and told Heavenly Father that I know he has all power. I prayed for greater meekness and humility. I prayed to be at peace when there are people who are not completely kind to me. I prayed that they might understand me better, but I prayed to ultimately accept His will, even when they don't understand. I told Him how thankful I am for his protection and blessings, and I listened to several things I'm grateful for. I told Him that I trust him completely, and I prayed that I would give all my fears into his hands.

I prayed many things, and I took comfort in kneeling before my creator. I took comfort in knowing that He has truly blessed me and directed my life this far. I know He will continue to do so, as I give my will to Him, and as I do my part for righteousness.

Of course, God does have all power, but he also respects our agency. He won't make us be good. He won't make us walk a certain road. But when we do listen to His Spirt, and walk circumspectly before Him, He rejoices. He delights in granting us blessings, which stem out of our righteous efforts, and our willingness to give Him all we have and are.

My husband and children--with a photo bomber on the far left!! True Story!

Those few words that God brought into my mind seem so simple, yet are so profound. As we walk through the darkness, the fear and sorrow can be all-consuming. And yet, when we step back into the light of joy and comfort, the depth and expanse of those sorrows are almost completely forgotten.

It's that way with childbirth too. I experienced a great deal of agonizing pain in my 5 deliveries of my children, but now I can remember so little of what I felt. If I do remember, I can express the details only on a logical level- not on the emotional or physical level of what I was going through! It's amazing how joy can wipe away those memories of pain!

There are just going to be days we don't feel our happiest. That's part of life. On those days you may do some of what I try to do... pray, read scriptures, clean & organize in my home, listen to BYU devotionals or LDS General Conference Talks, walk, sew, draw, or listen to happy music. Those things are healthy ways to process emotional pain, and they will hopefully help as they do me.

But ultimately we must elevate out thoughts to see beyond the storms of this moment. We must tell ourselves positive, grateful, hopeful thoughts. Thoughts that declare that God will give us the strength to get through. Words that declare that Jesus Christ saved us through His atonement and that with His power we will be victorious!

But, at this moment, I can honestly say that I can hardly wait until "loves purest joys remain!" :)

Hugs!
Christine

Day 252 of 365 days of Solace: My Unforgettable Birthday

This "new (happier) chapter" of my life has been filled with many blessings from God. He has helped to squeeze the depths of sorrow out of my soul like a bitter tube of toothpaste and has replaced the contents of my life with joy. Joy, beyond words. Joy which moves me beyond the unanswered questions of life.

The joy I feel comes with a new confidence and perspective myself. A confidence that comes through faith and power of Jesus Christ's atonement. I no longer worry what others are thinking about me. Namely, the opinions of one person. I still care for their well-being, but I don't worry if I can be acceptable and approved of by them. Opinions certainly influence me, but I don't give the same power to the opinions of others now.  Heavenly Father is the end all opinion that I care about. It's been an indescribable experience!

Which reminds me of a powerful message I heard as I did my makeup this morning:

"Because our conduit of connection with God has become clogged, we increasingly reach out to people around us—mortals like ourselves—for help and support. We gain a sense of security and direction from the opinions of others expressed through social media, blogspots, emails, self-help books, and numerous other sources. But the danger here is that all mortal knowing is by nature limited and flawed. ...Even if the “flesh” we rely on is our own mental capacity and even if we’re blessed with genius-level abilities, there will still always be something that we can’t see or that we fail to understand. The flesh is always limited, unless it is complemented by the power of the Spirit."

"When we lose contact with our spiritual abilities, we are easily led to assume that truth is a matter of consensus. To the mortal mind, the more widely something is believed, the more truth it seems to have. Often, with our mortal thinking, we fail to understand that even if a particular idea has received a hundred million “likes,” if it doesn’t receive the one “like” that really matters—that is, the stamp of testimony through the power of the Holy Spirit of God—it still remains merely mortal opinion and is therefore inadequate and limited. If we aren’t careful, when we slip into complete trust in our mortal modes of perceiving, we will find ourselves truly on our own, reliant only on our limited personal abilities as we wander through the vast cyber-foyer of media and public opinion...."

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/michelle-stott-james_empty-centers-fire-lord/

Five of my very special gifts from God! My children!

Today I turned 46! I was blessed to spend several hours of my day with a friend who has finally returned to the LDS temple after a 20 year absence!  I was so proud of her because it required, on her part, a lot of change and sacrifices for God. I've envisioned this day for her for years, and I was thrilled when she finally made the decision that she wanted this enough to sacrifice for it.

I went to bed last night with a disappointment on my heart, but God assured me through songs of comfort in the night that I would have a wonderful day today. Those songs reminded me of just how loved I am, and reminded me that my smile bring happiness to others. I don't completely comprehend how, but I felt the warmth of love in my heart, and I slept with happy anticipation for how my birthday would go!

My friend came and picked me up this morning. As I stepped into her car the song, "she shall have music wherever she goes" played into my thoughts. I smiled because I so appreciate the gift of angelic music God has given me. 

I sat down in the car and with her permission I asked for special blessings upon our day, and I invited the Spirit of God to join us and teach us.  

After arriving, and dressing all in white, we sat in the chapel. I wished a friend of ours had been able to attend, but as I slept I knew I would have another dear friend there. I just wasn't sure who. So I waited to see. My heart beating like Christmas morning!  Imagine my surprise when our mutual friend walked in! A friend, who is none other than my stake president. I have always felt his pure, Christ-like love for me. And Contrary to the fact that we aren't blood related, I feel like I have a brother in him, and it is always a joy for me to see him for that reason.

I knew it was no coincidence that Heavenly Father had brought him to my specific temple session to alleviate my disappointment and sadness of last night. It was a delight to spend this time with my friend, and stake president and his wife. Truly a Tender Mercy from the Lord to again remind me that His hand is in my life, and that I will not be forgotten or rejected by Him  --ever!

My girl friend cried and said she felt the presence of her mom and dad during the session, who have both passed away in the last year or two. She described how thrilling it was to be there, and how she tried to take in every word she was hearing. Her hands were even shaking with excitement. I was happy that she felt the importance of the covenants we were there making to God in how would will live our lives, and how we look to Him in all things.  

She suggested lunch after the 2 hour session. Long story short, a kind, older man had overheard me talking to my Stake President about it being my birthday. He offered to give me my birthday swats with his cane!!! Haha. "No thank you!"  But then he joked for me to have a piece of cake on him. I walked off to the cafeteria giggling, but expected nothing. 

Later that night I made a teasing face at my boy because
he has been my birthday thief for 7 years now! His birthday
is on the 12 of November, and he claims my b-day as his own!

Well, that man came down the the cafeteria a few minutes later and bought the lunches for my friend and I--as well as the dessert. Well he paid for all of it, except my dessert!! Because the kitchen chef/baker waived my pie because it is my birthday! I hugged and thanked Brother J. Hernandez, after he bought our lunch, and then off he hobbled telling this "bright, smiling young lady" to have a "happy birthday!"  I felt so thankful for his kindness, and that of the head chef! More blessings from God!

Here he is 4 days earlier. But, you don't see me blowing out
his candles!! ;) :) 

As I sat down to eat, my girl friend said she had been the one who wanted to buy me lunch to celebrate my birthday. I reminded her that while I love to celebrate my birthday, the real celebration of this day was in celebrating her re-birth.  She immediately understood the sober truth of what I said, and she reflectively replied, "Yes, that is very true." 

As we sat and visited I told her I come once or twice a week, and I'd love to come with her. She surprised me when she said we could come every Wednesday at the same time.  I was thrilled, and agreed that it was a perfect time for me too!

(quotes below are from the talk above)

"The gospel and the commandments of God are not a cage that keeps us from succeeding in the world. They are the wings that help us to soar to heights of success that we, with our mortal faculties, can’t even dream of on our own...."

Sister Neill F. Marriott.... asserted,  

“Love is making space in your life for

someone else.”

This truth is valid, not just for our children or our family but for our relationship with God as well.

We show love for Christ by making space in our lives for Him.

This means consciously devoting time every day to seriously studying His words, meditating on the scriptures that teach of Him, and praying to know Him, utilizing both our mortal and our spiritual forms of perception. 

Take note of the Christmas tree that my children set up on
the 14th of November!! Haha! Coldstone cake. I love ganache.

In addition to making space in our lives for Christ, there is yet another way in which we demonstrate our love. As author Catherine Galasso-Vigorito asserted:

Love is not a special way of feeling, though lovely feelings come now and then. But real love is a commitment to live and care for another person. When that love is God’s love, it reaches out to all the people around you automatically. You just can’t help caring and sharing from the heart.8

Our service to God’s children is a visible sign of our love for Him. As we willingly serve others, we become a conduit through which His love flows to touch the lives of everyone around us. 

Can you tell my little boy likes Pokemon!

Well, I'm going to go eat a cold stone cake soon, which my sister bought me (but that I created!) :) I just wanted to share a few thoughts.  These aren't all the wonderful blessings of my day, or week, but they show a glimpse of God's goodness and mercy toward His children.

I hope you will consider how you can make room in your life to show your love for Christ.

I will close with a beautiful sentiment of truth:

"October 2014 general conference President Dieter F. Uchtdorf exclaimed:

"I offer you my personal witness that spiritual truth will fill your heart and bring light to your spirit. It will reveal to you pure intelligence with wonderful joy and heavenly peace. . . .

". . . If you seek God’s truth, that which now may appear dim, out of focus, and distant will gradually be revealed and clarified and become close to your heart by the light of God’s grace. Glorious spiritual vistas, unimaginable to the human eye, will be revealed to you."

Keep working toward those vistas which only God can help you see!
Christine

P.S. I asked my stake president afterward why he came today. (I wondered if someone had told me if my friend was coming there that day.) He replied that his wife said this morning that she wanted to go at that time.  I smiled and told him I had a story to tell him about his wife being inspired!

Hope for brighter tomorrows

Tonight, I went to the youth devotional with my children. For a little portion of it, I sat out in the lobby to listen from a soft chair. A girl of about 16 walked in late, and sat across from me.

When our amazing stake president got up to speak I had the thought to invite this unfamiliar young woman to walk in to listen with me. I felt somewhat awkward asking her, because I didn't know her. But, nonetheless, I stood up at the conclusion of the previous speaker and looked to the girl and said "Would you like to come in to the chapel with me? She said no. I said, "Well it's President D.. speaking, and you'd have me, so you wouldn't be walking in alone. She replied, "Well, yeah, okay."

As we walked toward the doors to enter she hesitated and said, "Can I sit by you?" I put my arm on her shoulder and said, "Sure, I'd love that." As I we stepped forward toward the doors, I had this sweet feeling wash over me, as we made our way into a large chapel of several hundred young people (with far fewer adults). We sat down together, and enjoyed a sweet talk by our wonderful stake president.

When President D had finished speaking, and the closing hymn, and the "amen" of the closing prayer was said, I turned to the girl I sat by, and made some small talk for a few seconds. I was going to get up and leave, then thought I should learn her name for future reference in my goal to get to know more youth in our stake.

Now this may not seem like much to you, but to me it was a tender mercy from heaven, when I asked her name, and she smiled and said, "I'm Hope!."

Wow! H-O-P-E.

I had symbolically used my energy to stand up and reach out my hand to "hope," then I willingly invited "hope" to join me in my walk forward to face an unknown future!! I feel thankful for the personal reminder that HOPE journeyed with me, when I made a concerted effort on my part!

=====

A few special notes (A more creative and visual approach! :) I see about HOPE:

Hope does not remove the pain, but HOPE can help us to find things to gratefully focus on, as we try to take comfort amidst confusion. I compare hope to an emerging view, as the terribly loud, frightening, and very long storm finally ceases. Hope for me is when the dark clouds part to display rays of light majestically revealing the beautiful and fundamental truths of life.

In the process those beams of divine light reflect and magnifies the moisture left from the storm, and a rainbow materializes and frames a vision of your new life.
You look out upon the glorious expanse only to discover a crystal clear ocean, previously unknown in your kingdom.

You now have waters to sail upon as you explore distant lands and people, or you may decide to simply walk along beside the shoreline to gather precious seashells of sandy dreams, or beach glass of misty memories. Indeed, the ocean is uniquely yours, for it was formed and nourished by your heartache, and cleansed through your tears, as you braved those frightening storms of life. Storms for which you rose victorious against!

Let us each allow the positive energy of our hearts and minds to make our best efforts to look forward to promises of a brighter tomorrow on the horizon- even during those times where life is the darkest, and much too cloudy for us to see with the limited vision of our natural eyes.

During those dark times, we must make a personal effort to reach out and take hold of the binoculars of hope (ooh, I think I just coined a catchy phrase;) --those binoculars will enlarge and strengthen our sight and help us to see our bright dreams and beautiful desires in the distance.

I feel thankful for my personal reminder, that HOPE decided to join me, even when I made an awkward, uncertain effort on my part! May we all invite "HOPE" to join us on our journeys, and especially as we face the sorrows, heartbreaks, and uncertainties of life!

Romans 8:2424 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Romans 15:1313 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

You've got the strength within you to succeed! Keep trying!
Hugs, Christine

P.S. I hope this makes sense! I wrote it when I was very sleepy!

Dreams and Destiny

I haven't shared a song with you lately.  Today I am going to share one that has been playing into my thoughts.  I love this song for many reasons, but mainly because God sees a greater pictures.  His view is expansive and eternal, and he is never stuck in clouds of thought or experience- as we often are.  No, each one of us is destined for greatness, if only we can keep our eternal vision-even through the darkest hours and storms of our lives.
-----

Like a bird that flies
In the morning light
Or a butterfly in the spring
When your spirit rides
On the winds of hope
You'll find your wings

And your always free 

to begin again
And your always free

to believe
When you find the place 

that your heart belongs
You'll never leave

You and I will always be
Celebrating life together
I know I have found a friend forever more

Love is like a melody
One that I will always treasure
Courage is the key that opens every door

Though you may not know where your gifts may lead
And it may not show at the start
When you live your dream
You'll find destiny
Is written in your heart

Though you may not know where your gifts may lead
And it may not show at the start
When you live your dream
You'll find destiny
Is written in your heart
==========

In the bible we read about those who love the Lord, and it gives us a glimpse of such dreams and destiny.

Psalms 30: 10-12

 10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.

 11 Thou hast turned for me my ^amourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with ^bgladness;

 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.


I'm really working hard to make sure a day doesn't go by when I haven't called upon God in prayer and scripture study.  I try to remember Him in all things, and keep my heart polished with gratitude. I hope to be found worth, when someday I kneel before His throne of perfect righteousness.

Life can be very hard.  Especially for those who struggle with painful challenges and experiences.  I want to remind you that the Savior can heal us of all heart ache.  When we've done our best, we will truly be able to chime if with the voice of experience, "Yes, joy cometh in the morning!!" (Psalms 30)

Yes, your dreams of glorious destiny are possible!
Find His joy, by living His way!
Christine

In Sickness and in Health

Since Tuesday I have been ill.  It began in the early morning hours.  (Isn't that how it always is!)  Initially I thought it was because I'd been up late typing in my journal, and snacked on some fresh garden peas and raspberries, that my friend let me pick from her garden! :)  I soon realized that those stomach spasms weren't a "stomach ache" from eating too late.  In fact, I had acquired a stomach bug!

I've been blessed so very  very much over the last 2 years with good health that I could only express gratitude that I'd been blessed with such health, and that this opportunity was allowing me to refine my understanding of empathy towards others.  I never want to forget what so many people experience, or what I have in my life experiences, just because I am in a time of amazing health and energy.

So, there I was.  2 long days of staying mostly in bed or visiting my friendly neighborhood potty.  Wishing I could finish installing the quarter round, or finishing up the last wall of painting, or eat a bit of anything without terrible spasms.  But no, I lay in bed sleeping and moaning instead.  (And how dare my husband suggest that I'm a bigger baby than him when I am sick! ;)

I was worried that today I wouldn't be able to attend my husbands performance at a local re-enactment center.  I didn't even plan ahead to go.  But 5 minutes before we needed to leave (with all 5 of our children) I realized I'd been given a blessing of health again.  I truly rose from my bed of affliction, and walked.  I spent the whole day walking in fact.  Taking my children on pony rides, making pioneer hankerchief dolls, playing stick games, exploring pioneer houses, riding the miniature train, and enjoying many other activities.  In fact, it was a hot day, but all I could do was frequently express my heart felt joy and gratitude at being able to be there with my children, and enjoying the blessing to make memories with them.

When I came home I got down on my knees in the cool and quiet of my room and thanked Heavenly Father for giving me such a blessing of a wonderful day, that I would have missed out on.  And, I should also mention that 3 of my 5 children had started feeling sick like me all day yesterday.  So the mere fact that they woke up in perfect health, says a lot as well.

As I got up from praying, the LDS Primary song, "Can A Little Child Like Me" played into my thoughts....


1. Can a little child like me
Thank the Father fittingly?
Yes, oh yes! Be good and true,
Patient, kind in all you do!
Love the Lord and do your part;
Learn to say with all your heart:

Father, we thank thee!
Father, we thank thee!
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!

2. For the fruit upon the tree,
For the birds that sing of thee,
For the sunshine warm and bright,
For the day and for the night,
For the joyful work and true
That a little child may do,

Father, we thank thee!
Father, we thank thee!
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!

Words: Mary M. Dodge, about 1831-1905
Music: W. K. Bassford, 1839-1902

You can listen to the melody of the song here: https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/can-a-little-child-like-me?lang=eng

Part of the secret of my happiness in life is that I've learned how to have a heart filled with gratitude.  I used to feel sorry for myself, and didn't focus as well on what I had.  I tried, but I fell short, because I spent too much time being self-absorbed.  Everything in my world is better because I try to keep a constant prayer of Gratitude to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for my many blessings and opportunities.  Gratitude is the key to not only happiness, but love, and the sweet blessings and assurances that come from the Holy Ghost.

It takes work to be grateful. I remember improving this skill when I was in college and I started keeping a gratitude journal after watching something about it on the Oprah show.  That was a turning point for me.  Initially it was hard work, because I hadn't developed the skill of focusing on my blessings.  Someday's my 5 things were hard to come up with, and I didn't "feel" the real meaning behind my words.  I wrote simple things like "I'm thankful for hands that can write."  "I'm thankful for the good food I had to eat at lunch"  But as time progressed, I learned to see with clearer truth all that I had, and I started writing little experiences about my day.  Such as the day that a church member gave me a bag of oranges, and how thankful I was because we were very poor and didn't have money for such things.

Pray to be grateful, and look for every opportunity to be grateful.  Even if it's just about the basics of like like, "I have a bed to sleep in" or "I have clothes to wear."  Your words may not feel very sincere to you, because (like me) you may take those things for granted, but soon enough through diligence and prayer, you will feel the power of those words!

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: 

be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

I know we can each take steps toward being grateful in all things.  I know it will bless and improve our outlook on life!
Christine

P.S.  I'll try to add photos of my day soon. But my laptop is broken :P

....it creeps in

Discouragement.  I've heard it said it's the devil's number one tool used to destroy us.  I believe it!  Have you ever noticed that things are going along fine, and then suddenly you start worrying and doubting.  Wondering if you are good enough to be loved?  Smart enough to succeed?  Or brave enough to overcome the very real challenges we each face?

Just the other night I experienced the beginning subtleties of discouragement when I posted this meme I created on Facebook.  Discouragement silently crept in and took a seat next to me.  It whispered thoughts to me like, "See, what you did isn't good enough.  Only 2 people out of the masses clicked 'like.'"  "Look how good everyone else's memes are.  Their art is crisp, clean and trendy art. Your art is too busy, boring, and just plain out of style."

I went to bed feeling like I really have no potential to become someone who has the artistic ability to fit in anywhere.  I felt upset and weakened. Yes, I felt a bit defeated.  These are not feelings I enjoy.  Who does?! They leave us feeling sick to our stomachs.  These feelings leave thinking we are useless and we ought to give up.

God does not discourage us.  He may redirect us, if we are going on the wrong path, but he will never tell us

we are useless failures. These thoughts and feelings that stem from discouragement are lies of the devil! Don't believe them for a minute!  And if you do..... as I did.... let them last only a minute in the grand scheme of things.

What can you do to fight against discouragement?

• Pray for his help to understand your worth  
• Pray for his comfort, and do things that will uplift your spirits  
• Even when you don't feel much like lifting them 
• Visit someone who is sick or lonely, take cookies to brighten someone else's day 
• sent a not of appreciation to someone who did something kind for you 
• read your scriptures 
• play beautiful, inspiring music 
• hug a child and read them a story  
• Shut off the television or video games-- take a walk in nature  
• Sing a song, or dance the hokey pokey
• If you play an instrument--go and play it!  

Whatever thing you do, make sure it is something that doesn't keep you feeling self absorbed and mulling over your real or imaged concerns and problems.

I listened to conference talks, good music, studied my scriptures, and prayed.  There were many factors to why I felt better when I woke, but the main thing is that I had to focus with gratitude on the fact that Heavenly Father, has blessed me, and will continue to bless me---as I do my part.

All I need to worry about is making sure I do the things that would please Heavenly Father, and have the actions of my life be "^awritten not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in ^btables of stone, but in ^cfleshy tables of the ^dheart." (2 Corinthians 3:3)




My prayer is that you may find the joy there is to be had within whatever circumstances you may find yourself.  Heavenly Father wants us to feel joy and gratitude.

Sincerely, Christine

P.S.  For more severe, long term cases or discouragement, depression, and/or despair I would urge you to not hesitate to seek counsel from a professional counselor, or LDS bishop.  There is help and hope for you.

Christimas in June (or: Celebrations)

I had an idea the other day.  I told my children we ought to celebrate Christmas this month.  They liked the idea, but had to make sure that we'd have Christmas in December too.  I assured them we would.

You may wonder why I suggested having a summer Christmas.  I wonder that too.  I thinks it's important to celebrate life.  By celebrating Christmas we will have some added fun summer plans.

My 12 year old kicked off our Christmas festivities by helping the younger children set up the tree, and then proceeded to make ornaments out of pine cones she and sister collected yesterday.  I helped find the glue gun and approved ribbons (we seamstresses won't allow some of our more special ribbons to be used!!).

I left the room during the process to finish something necessary, but returned a little while later to discover that they had cleverly begun decorating the Christmas tree.  There on the tree was a peanut butter smothered pine cone rolled in glitter!  I had told my 8 year old girl, earlier that day,l not to make pine cone and peanut butter treats for the birds.  Apparently she thought I really wanted one for the tree!

We generally are surprised by our tomorrows.  Sometimes they are shorter than planned.  I think it's explained here very well :

"None of us will be on earth very long. We have a number of precious years which, in the eternal perspective, barely amount to the blink of an eye."

"And then we depart. Our spirits “are taken home to that God who gave [us] life.”¹ We lay our bodies down and leave behind the things of this world as we move to the next realm of our existence."

"When we are young, it seems that we will live forever. We think there is a limitless supply of sunrises waiting just beyond the horizon, and the future looks to us like an unbroken road stretching endlessly before us."

"However, the older we get, the more we tend to look back and marvel at how short that road really is. We wonder how the years could have passed so quickly. And we begin to think about the choices we made and the things we have done. In the process, we remember many sweet moments that give warmth to our souls and joy to our hearts. But we also remember the regrets—the things we wish we could go back and change." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Full article here: Of Regrets and Resolutions 

===

We will be celebrating Christmas soon.  We will read the story of Jesus found in the bible, and the children will act it out. (That's always fun!!  This Christmas both our little boys cried over wanting to play baby Jesus so we had two baby Jesus'--  a 3 year and a 5 year old Jesus---and I'll tell you , it's one of the funniest nativities we've ever had.  One of these days I may even post the video of it for you!) We will make Kouva (a secret family recipe of a special 3 layer German Coffee cake--sweet bread layer, sour cream, and buttery sweet crumble topping) and have hot chocolate.  We will give gifts and play games.

The fun began mounting today as we drew names for a special person for the week to do something nice for or to give a gift to.  I was surprised to see such interest. 

 

My 14 year old son was a hum-bug about it at first, but when he learned he'd get 1 homemade gift, and 1 store bought gift (maybe recycle:)  he decided he liked the sound of it.  My 14 year old started making his little sister (he drew her name from the bowl) a very cool wooden coin collecting gadget.  He cut it on  my table saw and then started nailing the foundation of hits already drafted out idea!  I was so happy to see him busy this way!

K's pop-up thank you card!

Later I discovered that my daughter had given her Dad a popup card she made him, which thanked him for taking her fishing Saturday.  Oh, how cute and sweet!

Many other things have been going on in the excitement of a summer Christmas.  I'll have to let you know how it goes!

For now, here are a few more words to consider from that amazing speaker, Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

"We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. “This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it.”⁶

"Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."

"Perhaps we should be looking less with our eyes and more with our hearts. I love the quote: “One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”⁷

"We are commanded “to give thanks in all things.”⁸ So isn’t it better to see with our eyes and hearts even the small things we can be thankful for, rather than magnifying the negative in our current condition?"

"The Lord has promised, “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold.”⁹

"Brothers and sisters, with the bountiful blessings of our Heavenly Father, His generous plan of salvation, the supernal truths of the restored gospel, and the many beauties of this mortal journey, “have we not reason to rejoice?”¹⁰

"Let us resolve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances."

Of Resolutions

"One day we will take that unavoidable step and cross from this mortal sphere into the next estate. One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely."

"To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:

• • Resolve to spend more time with those we love.
  
• • Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
  
• • Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances."
  

"It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret¹¹ and remove the burden of our sins.¹² His Atonement allows us to leave the past behind and move forward with clean hands, a pure heart,¹³ and a determination to do better and especially to become better."

"Yes, this life is passing swiftly; our days seem to fade quickly; and death appears frightening at times. Nevertheless, our spirit will continue to live and will one day be united with our resurrected body to receive immortal glory. I bear solemn witness that because of the merciful Christ, we will all live again and forever. Because of our Savior and Redeemer, one day we will truly understand and rejoice in the meaning of the words “the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.”¹⁴

"The path toward fulfilling our divine destiny as sons and daughters of God is an eternal one. My dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, we must begin to walk that eternal path today; we cannot take for granted one single day. I pray that we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

I hope you will look for opportunities today to find reasons to feel grateful and to celebrate life, and make memories.  I close with a scripture that emphasizes that our choices and good works have long term results.

• Doctrine and Covenants 64:33
  33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
  

Look for ways to celebrate.  The possibilities are endless! 

Christine