Christmas Thoughts

Christmas has been wonderful and I am sad to see it end.  We have had such a wonderful and magical Christmas which will most certainly need to be documented on my blog with photos, but for now, I just want to write my feelings about this Christmas down.  Picture documentary later.

We have done so many fun things this Christmas, but most of all I have loved teaching Porter the True Meaning of Christmas and the story of Jesus' birth.  He certainly was spoiled (that being the understatement of the world) but I am so happy that he is starting to understand at this young age why we celebrate Christmas and the joy one feels in giving gifts.  One of my favorite moments this Christmas was during our Nativity Reenactment.  Porter chose to be a Wiseman this year because he wanted to be the one to bring the gifts to the Baby Jesus.  We gave him "gold" to bring and he walked in an put the present down and then walked around the room insisting that we needed to find more presents for Jesus.  I love my sweet little boy!

For my mom, this Christmas has been quite an emotional one.  My favorite gift I received this year was a clock and the explanation and testimony she gave with it.  I wanted to be sure to keep this so I am going to write down parts of the letter to be sure I always remember the message.  Take from it what you will, but for me it means so much.  If it isn't obvious, clearly I have been having doubts on my abilities as a parent and knowing the best ways to raise my boys.  As well as balancing work, church, family, a husband that is always gone, etc.  I am grateful to my mom for always knowing exactly what I need to hear.  Here is most of the letter for memory's sake.

"This idea was a product of my continual reflection from October Conference in a talk by Elder Christofferson entitled "Reflections on a Consecrated Life".  In it he states, 'Life offers us two precious gifts--one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will...Everyday, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for.' This thought has kept ringing in my ears.  Often the choices we make in this life aren't between good and bad but between better and best..

Elder Christofferson goes on to state that one of the elements of a consecrated life is work.  'All work is sacred,' he states.  'God designed this life to require almost constant work.  How we manage that in our lives is the key.  Work is required and when we are working we should give our very best. If it is important to do, it is important to do well and the time we work should reflect our integrity.  But you also have the work in your family.  Control your time; make the best use of it.'  Don't be jealous of what others have, even in ease and comfort.   

I believe we often learn the gospel with music and two lines from two different songs keep coming to my mind.  'I Walk by Faith'.  I know that as we lean on our Heavenly Father, He will direct us in making choices about our lives and the time we spend.  The other song is from the Forgotten Carols.  'All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of. . .couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given.  I've been given what I need.' You are the parents to two wonderful little boys.  They have been given to you for a reason.  You are the parents that are right for them.  Be grateful for the opportunity to raise them and lean on Heavenly Father for guidance.  He has given you what you need. 

Use your time to make the best choices.  Elder Chirstofferson says, 'men are that they might have joy-a joy that includes a fullness of life, a life dedicated to service, to love and harmony in the home, and the fruits of' honest toil.' I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know it is the only place to find the answers we need."

Merry Christmas.  I hope all of you had as wonderful a Christmas as we had!
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