Faith

"Faith: Putting all your eggs in God's basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch."

Tis the Season

 "Love Chapter" (1 Corinthians 13)
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If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime: but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity; but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ,  have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust; But giving the gift of love will endure.

Take time for those you love....

Merry Christmas from our house to your house, may it be a wonderful day and season.

Forget Not

To be patient with yourself ...  (we add stitch by stitch, often not seeing the whole or final picture for a very long, long time, if ever and yet each stitch adds something to the whole)

The difference between good and foolish sacrifices.... (having little ones makes you sacrifice every day but it certainly isn't ever foolish -- )

Sacrifice for things and more things is not worth it....

To be happy now....                              (no matter what your color, size or situation)

 (In the trenches or out)

The "why" of the gospel....

(Returning with Honor, Who we actually are, What we actually become, the need to get in touch with your center rather than the fluff of life and mental abilities)

...that the Lord loves you

 (Amazingly as an individual even though there are so many others)

He is the light even when all around you there is darkness ... in all of nature and the beauties of His world He loves us and knows us and wants us to come unto Him

We must set forth

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail and not drift, nor lie at anchor."  - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Beautiful Things

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched...but are felt in the heart." 

-- Helen Keller

I am thankful for a testimony of things not seen, but are definitely felt by the heart.

Achieving

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."- Helen Keller

Journey On

"Therefore, continue your journey, and let your hearts rejoice. For behold, and lo I am with you, even unto the end."
D&C 100:10