Learn from the past, prepare for the future,
and live in the present.
A journey of 1000 miles begins with one step, so watch your step.
-Thomas S. Monson
She's 10 years old today, but not until 4:11 p.m., so she says she is still 9. She's always so very precise! She has already celebrated by going to the movies last night with Aunt Tara and Sierra, but I Am Legend gave her nightmares. Guess it was a little scary! Tonight is chicken enchiladas and cake and ice cream at Grammy's.
Olivia Billings is a sweet little four-year old girl in our Pre-school class here at Green Ridge. Watch this clip and you will find out about her and her parents. She is having a hard time with a new heart she received from a donor on Sunday. Her mom, Lena Billings, is a teacher at Green Ridge School, and both Brian and Natalia were in her class.
They are sweet and humble, and are always so positive and upbeat! I don't know that I could do the same if I were in their situation.
Please keep Olivia in your prayers. We want to see her back to school as soon as possible!
Outside the doors of the Nauvoo Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois on December 22, 2007.
Mom and Dad, Tara, Emily with Sierra and Carmen, Mellisa and baby Santana, and our family of 6 all travelled to Nauvoo for Monie and Kyle's nuptials; Mom, Dad and Tara on Thursday, and the rest of us Friday morning. Grandma and Grandpa decided to stay home after they each had a fall in totally separate incidents. They're both OK, though Grandma dislocated her hip and had to have it put back into place {which was very painful!} and Grandpa was black and blue and sore all over after slipping on the ice during the Ice Age.
We took over our wing of the Hotel, the kids spending time in the indoor pool, and we had the doors to our rooms propped open. Kyle works at the hotel, and Monie lives in an apartment in the basement.
The reception was in the restaurant, decorated in silver and blue for a winter wonderland look. Mom did all of the food, which was so yummy!
Saturday was cold and windy, and just starting to rain when they were doing pictures. Notice the big blue ring pop on Monie's finger? Yep, she wore it in the pictures. And the girls handed out ring pops at the reception. Wasn't that a cute idea?
Daddy's a little veclempt. Talk amongst yourselves.
Here, I'll give you a topic: Breadfruit - Neither a bread, nor a fruit. Discuss!
And this is from a wonderful Christmas devotional given by President Howard W. Hunter:
"We are all aware of the significance that a name or title can have in describing an important office. In foretelling the birth of Christ more than 700 years before it occurred, the prophet Isaiah used titles expressing great admiration: “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father” (Isa. 9:6). Isaiah also used the titles Savior and Redeemer, expressing great faith in Christ and His mission (see Isa. 45:15; Isa. 47:4; Isa. 49:26; Isa. 60:16; Isa. 63:16).
One of these titles that is of particular interest in our present world is “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,” Isaiah declared (Isa. 9:7). What a thrilling hope for a war-weary, sin-laden world!
A Prophecy Fulfilled
The Lamanite prophet Samuel foretold the birth of the Savior five years before it happened. The people would not let Samuel into Zarahemla to preach, so he stood on a city wall and proclaimed:
“Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. “And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. … “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you” (Hel. 14:2–3, 5). Luke recorded the fulfillment of this prophecy: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. … “And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:1–14).
Such is the beautiful account of our Savior’s advent. In the words of Cecil Frances Alexander: He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable And his cradle was a stall. (Hymns, no. 205)
In this humble way His life of selfless service began.
Giving As He Gave
The Savior dedicated His life to blessing other people. As expressed by His chief Apostle, Peter, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).
Never did the Savior give in expectation of receiving. He gave freely and lovingly, and His gifts were of inestimable value. He gave eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the downtrodden, freedom to the oppressed, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing, and light in the darkness. He gave us His love, His service, and His life. And most important, He gave us and all mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life.
We should strive to give as He gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift. We give as a remembrance of all the Savior has given.
Christmas is a time for giving. Someone once said he couldn’t think of what to give for Christmas. The next day in the mail he received an anonymous list which read:
Give to your enemy forgiveness, To your opponent tolerance, To your friend your heart, To all men charity, for the hands that help are holier than lips that pray, To every child a good example, and to yourself—respect.
All of us need to follow the example of the Savior in giving these kinds of gifts. From Christina Rossetti we read:
What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would give Him a lamb, If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part,— But what I can I give Him, Give my heart.
This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.
Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most."
Joe can see now! Why does a pair of glasses make people look so much smarter?
Mom, It's an ICE AGE!
That's what Monkey told me yesterday when he looked outside. Of course, he was watching Ice Age at the time, so I'm sure that's what made him think of it. Aren't these cool pictures? Especially since I took them. {Remember, my photography skills are seriously lacking.} These pictures were taken at my parent's house. Our ice storm this weekend wasn't as bad as in other areas, like in Oklahoma where Tom and Vicki are. {Hi Tom and Vicki!}
The Weather Doctor calls it "Hazardous Beauty", and it truly is. The roads ice over like a skating rink, and you can't get your footing. Cars slip and slide even in four-wheel drive. We saw a truck that had slid through the ditch and into a telephone pole. The people in it were fine, but the pole wasn't; it was tipped at an angle over the top of them.
Andy slid through a ditch and had to drive over someone's yard to get out of it, taking out the stop sign on the corner. He doesn't read the blog so he won't know that I told you that. {hee hee}
I slipped and fell in the Pre-school parking lot, and Monkey said, "You're supposed to be holding my hand, Mom!" Wasn't that sweet of him to think he can hold me up!
I love the contrast of the autumn leaves with the ice on the trees in the picture above.
See the ribbons of ice that slid down the roof and curled around the gutter?
That's Abrahm on the left, Matteo on the right, and Santana Rose in the middle, of course.
And here they are with the proud papa. Santana slept through it all.
It's a snow day! I'm home, the kids are home, Andy's home, and we're all getting on each other's nerves. Ice storms on and off for the rest of the week. Great. I think I might survive, maybe with a steady supply of cocoa and cookies.
After a hard labor, and 3 attempts at an epidural, new baby girl Santana Rose has graced us with her presence. While her mommy was doing all of the work of bringing her into this world, I was running herd on her two older brothers. Boy, is it going to be chaos at their home for a while.
Monkey and Natalia were not going to be left behind, so they made the trek to the hospital with me. Joe waved as we pulled away from the house and called, "Take a picture of her for me!" Ah, he's so sentimental. {Have you ever noticed that word has "Mental" in it? Hmm, something to ponder.}
I know I'm rambling, but I'm a little bit over-tired since the twins woke up three times last night.
Each.
Matteo kept me awake by torturing me with baby slaps to the face and grabbing my nose while leaning in to share his slobber and spit. Maybe he thought I was non-responsive and needed mouth-to-mouth? I guess we'll never know.
The sewing machine is revved up, and last night it produced a lovely Christmas stocking, this sweet and simple blanket for Mellisa and Adam's new baby girl {she is due to arrive fresh from heaven any time now!} And a card for my cousin's new baby. Now I'm off to continue, while Andy watches the Mizzou vs. Sooners game. Tiger fever is in full force around here!
