CHRISTmas 2010

This CHRISTmas has been awesome! Filled with family (cousins I haven't seen in ages and the surprise breakfast guest) testimonies of Christ, yummy yummy food, movies with sister, chillin in pajamas until mid-afternoon, laughing, surprises, and many others. I am so grateful for my family! I am grateful to our loving Heavenly Father for His many blessings, opportunities, and challenges. My faith has been and is being strengthened through them all. I am thankful for the CHRISTmas season where many many people come together to celebrate Him. I am grateful to know Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, I know He suffered and died for me and that He now lives! He lives for me- for all of us! He like Our Father in Heaven know us completely. I will continue to do what They ask of me because I love Them. I trust Them. I am choosing to continue "God-ward" moving forward in God's way. Because I have more peace and happiness in His way than in any other way. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

A Favorite Tradition

Tonight we hosted our annual Alger chili and soup Christmas Eve Bash. It is one of my favorite traditions! The great grandkids are getting bigger every year and are a lot of fun! Are we loud? Oh yes! I am the "quiet one" in this group. I am so grateful for my family. Tonight I played Christmas bingo with the younger kids and they had a good time as did I. Even though it may get crazy and a little loud I love each one of them and enjoy when they come over to play. I am excited to see them continue to grow and what kind of people they will become.

Excited For The Next Two Days

I am excited for the next two days cause I get to spend some awesome time with these peeps! Relaxing, eating, and enjoying more of the Christmas spirit.

Life Lessons From A Snowman

I was going through a folder of Christmas stories I have and found this and thought I would share.

• each one of us is unique
• you are nothing without a creator
• when snowflakes pull together, they have a ball
• it takes a few extra "rolls" to make a good mid section
• we are all made up of mostly water
• it's ok to be a little bottom heavy
• stand firm when the heat is on and you will last longer
• don't get too much sun
• life is short, make memories today
• there's no stopping you once you are a roll
• take time to play with the children, soon they will be gone
• there's nothing better than a foul weather friend
• the difference between a smile and a frown is a few lumps
• smiles are contagious
• the key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul
• always try to roll with the punches
• even Frosty had bumpity, bump, bumps along his road
• when your life is falling apart, pray for a friend and snow
• wearing white is always appropriate
• wear warm mittens
• give thanks to those sharing their mittens, scarves, and hats
• don't say a word when they don't match exactly
• don't be afraid to put on a hat, it just might be magic
• let the good times roll
• you can feel most secure alone, with only the stars and moon
• it's fun to hang out in the front yard
• it's nice to get a hug especially when you're frozen
• love warms us from the inside out

What Am I Offering Today?

Today I had the opportunity to speak in church. My topic came from last week's Music and the Spoken Word. Below is that message from last week's broadcast. I have come to really enjoy Music and the Spoken Word and try hard to make it part of my Sunday mornings. As I read this I thought of my heart awareness experiment and what it taught me and still does- after all my heart is still growing and being strengthened. I want my heart to be what God wants and I know that as I continue to serve Him and share His love, my heart will be want He wants. I enjoy studying and learning about the heart. I am grateful to know that the Lord knows my concerns, disappointments, and excitements fully and completely. I hope this Christmas season and all year I will continue to "choose that good part". I am grateful to know that the Lord does not dismiss my worries and at times troubled heart, but that He gently reminds me to "to choose that good part" to choose Him and that He will provide the rest and strength needed. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :) (My heart is happy).

"Christmas Offerings"
December 12, 2010 Broadcast #4239 Music and the Spoken Word


During this season we celebrate "peace on earth," yet some of us find it the most busy and stressful time of the year. We worry about decorations and decking the halls, gifts and gatherings--and the many other things we feel we need to do. And, very often, amid all the hustle and bustle, we have a quiet sense that we want to make our celebrations a little different, a little more meaningful than they have been in the past.

This year, rather than focusing on everything we need to do, let us consider what we can offer. Some offer talents in singing carols or playing musical instruments; others offer time as they visit loved ones and share memories of Christmases past. Some offer resources and labor, doing acts of service to help the less fortunate. No matter what our offerings are, if our intent this season is to make someone's life happier, Christmas will be for us a time of peace and joy.

Children teach us much about making heartfelt offerings. Not long ago, a little girl stood to tell her class some sad news. Her grandmother passed away, and as she related details, she became overcome with emotion. Not able to say anything more, she walked toward her chair. A little boy got up from his chair and sat down beside her. Filled with compassion and a desire to make her feel better, he gave her the only thing he had: a little toy that he had smuggled into class. He did not pause to wonder whether it was good enough. He simply and selflessly gave from the heart.

Something deep and meaningful happens within us when we make such offerings. We feel connected to those around us. We feel a love that we may not have known we had--the love of that babe in Bethlehem, whose pure offering, given so long ago, still fills the earth with "peace, [and] good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

A Favorite Christmas Song

One of my favorite Christmas songs is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. This song testifies of the mission of our Savior and the importance of His atonement. One of my favorite lines is "to save us all from Satan's power". I know that through our Savior we can be saved from all things! I am so grateful to know He saves me! I know He loves me, I know He died for me and that He lives for me! This is the "tidings of comfort and joy"! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy