ChristMAS

The bishop had a thought in primary the other day. He gave the kids a "spanish lesson". He told them that Christmas in Spanish was Navidad. Then he asked the kids if they knew what "mas" meant in Spanish. It meant "more". He encouraged us to put More Christ in Christmas. To remember him. I really liked that.
It is a hard balance to draw between Santa and Jesus Christ. My son thinks that they are best friends. I liked that, but I told him that Jesus gave us a gift greater than Santa could ever give, and that is his life so that we could live with him forever. That is why we celebrate, and try a little harder to serve others at this time of year.
I am so grateful for that sacrifice. Being a mother, I think I have more appreciation of our Heavenly Father's gift. I can't imagine being able to offer my son or daughter to do what Christ had to do. I'm glad that as a perfect being, he was able to. Because I love my family more than anything else in this world. They give me the greatest joy possible, and that is why it is called the plan of happiness!
I hope the holidays are full of celebration. And I hope I can share that message to sink in a little deeper with my kids. I LOVE this time of year, and hope that it brings everyone joy.

Let Your Light Shine

I saw this quote on my cousin's blog and just loved it. So I thought I would share it with all of you.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marriane Williamson

After reading this quote I felt empowered. We have been born with gifts and talents in order to share them with others. I loved how he said "there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you." We are supposed to stand out, we are to be a beacon on the hill, we are to let our light so shine before men, we are to be an example to everyone. It's okay to do all the things you are good at and it is okay to be good at many things. We don't need to apologize or make excuses for being wonderful. We ARE children of God and we are destined to become Gods one day. I hope this quote kind of picked you up like it did me. Now get out there and shine!

Why Mormons Build Temples

This is a great video about why Mormons build temples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x_-TQivCx8

Our Savior's Love and Sacrifice

My testimony of the Atonement and Christ's individual love for us has been greatly strengthened. I've had to face many significant trials recently which have seemingly all been heaped on at once (when it rains, it pours), and I've felt a more acute need to be closer to the Savior as a result. I think it is human nature, but I feel really terrible that it sometimes takes tough trials to make us 'snap out of it' and draw closer to God. This reminds me of the following scripture: "And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him." -Helaman 12:3- Hopefully these trials will serve as a good wake up call for me to strive harder to improve my relationship with God and His Son.

I had to teach Sunday School 2 weeks ago and part of the lesson was about repentance. I was prompted to read the following poem from Jeffrey R. Holland's talk, "Broken Things to Mend." Reading this poem has touched me greatly, so I thought I would share it with those who still read this blog.

In Nazareth, the narrow road,
That tires the feet and steals the breath,
Passes the place where once abode
The Carpenter of Nazareth.

And up and down the dusty way
The village fol would often wend;
And on the bench, beside Him, lay
Their broken things for Him to mend.

The maiden with the doll she broke,
The woman with the broken chair,
The man with the broken plow, or yoke,
Said, "Can you mend it, Carpenter?"

And each received the thing he sought,
In yoke, or plough, or chair, or doll;
The broken thing which each had brought
Returned again a perfect whole.

So, up the hill the long years through,
With heavy step and wistful eye,
The burdened souls their way pursue,
Uttering each the plaintive cry:

"O Carpenter of Nazareth,
This heart, that's broken past repair,
This life, that's shattered nigh to death,
Oh, can You mend them, Carpenter?"

And by His kind and ready hand,
His own sweet life is woven through
Our broken lives, until they stand
A New Creation - "all things new."

"The shattered [substance] of [the] heart,
Desire, ambition, hope, and faith,
Mold Thou into the perfect part,
O, Carpenter of Nazareth!"

What a great message that poem contains. I love my Savior so much, and am humbled every time I think about all he went through - for us! "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." -Mosiah 14:5- He suffered for us so that we wouldn't have to if we but repent (See D&C 19)! But also suffered so that he could succor us when we are going through our Gethsemanes (see Alma 7:11,12). It's my testimony that Christ yearns to see us truly be happy. I know that such happiness is attained only when we are striving as best we can to live the gospel. He is quick to forgive, ready to comfort, and willing to mend our broken souls when we willingly place them on His bench. His love for us is more profound than we could ever imagine. I am eternally grateful for His grace and mercy. May we all include Him more in our busy lives, think about Him more during our hectic days, and show our thanks to Him who gave everything for us by obeying His commandments.