The Forgotten Miracle

On Monday we were asked to sing for a Christmas dinner on Saturday.
We listened to the song for the first time.
It was beautiful.
We just didn't have a copy of the song or the sheet music.
The person who asked us was working hard to find it.
Calling people who then called people to see if they had a copy.
On Wednesday we received a package.
In the package was a copy of the CD with the exact same song!
We listened to it on repeat all day to memorize it.
That night the sheet music was found and given to us.
Christmas miracle.
Looks like we get to sing!

I wondered why God cared so much about a song.
That particular song.
We could have sang any Christmas song we already knew and had access to.
But it meant a lot to the person who asked us.
The gift that was sent in the mail days before the invitation to sing confirmed it.
It confirmed God cares more about the person than the gift.
He cares more about the person then the song.
And perhaps someone needs to hear that song and THAT is why it all
fell into place.
God cares about us individually.
Go listen to the forgotten carols.
I promise God has not forgotten you.


  "But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord
hath forgotten me--but he will show that he hath not.

For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have
compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I
not forget thee, O house of Israel."
1 Nephi 21:14-15

 

 

Share The Gift

For me Christmas past has been filled with John Denver and no snow. :)
Also Mannheim Steamroller, pink Christmas trees and carrots left out
for rain deer.
When I was little I remember going to a church Christmas party.
They decorated the building like Bethlehem and we came in wearing long
colorful robes and shawls tied around our heads.
A few people reenacted the story of Mary riding into Bethlehem for
Christ's birth.
I remember watching as Mary rolled in across the gymnasium riding on a
fake donkey with wheels.
The spotlight followed her to the manger scene.
That is where my childhood memory ends but I know the story now.
I know that is where our Savior was born.
That is when angels declared his birth to shepherds in a field.
These same shepherds followed to see our new born Savior.
Since then many have followed signs, miracles and feelings to find Christ.
To see for themselves the Savior of the world.
He is our Savior because He took upon Himself our sins and death.
Because He accomplished that, this life is not the end.
That is why He is the perfect gift.
The first real gift.
That is why He is Christmas.
If He were not born we would not live again.
This would be the end.
All the more reason to sing and celebrate with John Denver, pink
Christmas trees and Mary's rolled in on wooden donkeys.
We need to share the excitement, the gratitude and the gift that is Christmas.
We need to share the excitement that is Christ.
So everyone can know, guilt can be washed clean and death is not the end.
I know Jesus Christ made this possible.
I know He is Christmas.
#ShareTheGift

"Can a gift given by a loving Heavenly Father over two thousand years
ago still matter today? The answer is a heartfelt yes. Everything
Jesus Christ did was for a brighter future for all of God’s children.
Because of the first gift, redemption is real and death is not the
end. Sadness is temporary and love is eternal. The stain of sin can be
replaced by perfect forgiveness. As we embrace His teachings and
follow the example of His perfect life, we can become more like Him,
and experience true peace and joy. This Christmas season, let us
remember that He is the gift." - He is the Gift

 ^^^ You can share the Gift too!^^^

 So neither should we!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Dead Chickens.. Choose Wisely

When people ask me what I want to do with my life I don't like it when
I don't have an answer.
Most of the time my goal making includes sitting and waiting until
things work themselves out.  I always want the right goal/ answer for
life to just come to me!
The other night I prayed for goal making help. Goals of understanding,
direction and divine guidance. This prayer was answered the next
morning at 5:30 am by the sound of screaming chickens... We ran out in
our pajamas armed with a flashlight yet we were too late. Three
raccoons had gotten into the coop. These animals came as an example
that life moves on.. Murdered chickens and all. Those chickens sat
around in their coop being taken care of. The raccoons on the other
hand took their goal of eating seriously and they found a way into the
seemingly impenetrable coop. They found success. Not only did they
reach their goal of finding food but they ate every night until a road
block came their way 

(two sisters armed with vocal chords and a flashlight.) 

I'm sure those raccoons are not going to go lay down and die.
I'm Sure they relished in the success they did have and have now moved
on to finding another way to reach their next goal.
Raccoons need to eat to survive. We need to work at our goals to
survive and thrive as well. Goal setting is something we all can think
about, work on and stop procrastinating.  In this instance I would
much rather be the raccoon than the chicken. 

Seven hens, three nights, only one survived...Those are not good odds.
Let's make some goals!

 This last October General Conference Elder Quentin L. Cook talked 

about the importance of making sure our goals and actions complement the other.

"I believe it is of particular importance in our day, when Satan is
raging in the hearts of men in so many new and subtle ways, that our
choices and decisions be made carefully, consistent with the goals and
objectives by which we profess to live. We need unequivocal commitment
to the commandments and strict adherence to sacred covenants. When we
allow rationalizations to prevent us from temple endowments, worthy
missions, and temple marriage, they are particularly harmful. It is
heartbreaking when we profess belief in these goals yet neglect the
everyday conduct required to achieve them."

Choose Wisely Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles