Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. I love this time of year and the feeling the spirit brings while we ponder on the birth and life of our Savior. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season.

Recent thoughts

There are times when we can become upset at imagined hurts or perceived injustices. President Heber J. Grant, seventh President of the Church, told of a time as a young adult when he did some work for a man who then sent him a check for $500 with a letter apologizing for not being able to pay him more. Then President Grant did some work for another man—work which he said was 10 times more difficult, involving 10 times more labor and a great deal more time. This second man sent him a check for $150. Young Heber felt he had been treated most unfairly. He was at first insulted and then incensed.

He recounted the experience to an older friend, who asked, “Did that man intend to insult you?”

President Grant replied, “No. He told my friends he had rewarded me handsomely.”

To this the older friend replied, “A man’s a fool who takes an insult that isn’t intended.”


- President Monson, General Conference October 2009

Plan of Happiness

A couple weeks ago, my cousin and his wife had a premature little baby boy who lived for 5 days and passed away in his mother's arms. My husband and I took the girls and drove 5 hours with my mom and grandma to be able to go to his funeral last week. I am very grateful that I was able to be at the funeral, even though I was trying very hard to keep the girls happy and reverent throughout the funeral. Watching his father carry the tiny casket in his arms was so moving.

In a perfect world, there would be no caskets that size and no parents left without their children. But we are here in this world to be tested. To do the tasks that the Lord has for each of his children and each has a different mission to achieve. Our father's plan is a plan of happiness and love. We will be able to live forever with our families and raise children who left this world before adulthood. Heavenly Father has created a way for everyone to be with their families forever through the atoning love of Jesus Christ. I love these truths. In times of trials it is the truths of the gospel that help us live our lives and find happiness and joy.

President Monson said in April's General Conference, "None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”

We will miss this little baby boy in this life, but look forward to knowing him better in the next.