Christmas shopping

We had a wonderful experience going down to Santa Rosa to do some Christmas shopping with two ladies from Middletown.  We went to two malls and Costco all in one day.  While we were at the second mall, we were in JcPenny and I was getting a little bit tired.  We were conveniently in the bedding section, and their was a spot that you could test the memory foam pads.  I laid down for a little and rested there.  I was super tired.  But when all was done, we had had such a fun time that we didn't feel bad about going and really appreciated the trip and the experiences that we had there.

Some days we may feel like this life is too much or too hard for us to handle.  But it is not.  The person we are about to celebrate the birth of, Jesus Christ, has already taken upon him all the unfairness and the discomforts in this life so that he will know how to succor us, or to support us.
I like to think of Mary when I think of 'enduring to the end'.  She was a very strong lady and had to suffer much to bring the Savior into this world.  She saw an angel that told her that she was going to conceive a Child.  Then she had to tell the man she was engaged to.  Then she had to travel great distances before she actually had the baby.  Gave birth in the humble circumstances of a manger stall.  Now I don't know about you, but this seems like a trial to go through and she is extremely humble through the whole experience. 
In Luke 1:48-49 Mary is describing her feelings after having heard the news that she is going to give birth to the Son of God.  She says, 
"For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name."  

We each face trials, but Christ has already overcome them.  He is there for us and wants us to feel of His love all the time.  Christmas is important because we get a chance to celebrate and reflect on the MIRACLE of Christ's birth, as well as the promises of His sacrifice to overcome the world.  In the end its going to be worth it.  We will look back and be glad we stayed strong and faithful in our life.  Christ and God are real.  They LOVE us very much.  They want us to be successful in this life, and not to get weighed down or discouraged in the different experiences we face in life.  Let us be happy and rejoice as we celebrate this CHRISTmas season.  

               

Christmas = LOVE

When I think of Christmas, I think of excitement and adventure.  Present opening and family traditions. Decorations and hanging up lights.  This year, being on a mission, my mind has been thinking a lot more on what Christmas should mean to me and what my thoughts for Christmas should be.  There never was a Christmas that went by that we didn't talk about the Saviors birth or that we didn't read the story from the Bible at one point or another, but I have never had a Christmas where I was constantly thinking, everyday about the birth of the Savior during the holidays.  So as I have been studying the scriptures, here are some of the things that have stood out during the holiday season.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." Luke 2:16-17

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  1 Timothy 1:7 

"O be wise; what can I say more?" Jacob 6:12

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  1 John 4:10

"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?"  Genesis 18:14

"12. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."  1 John 4:12

These are all wonderful qualities and gifts that God has given us.  Lets do our best this holiday season to share these truths we know with others around us.