2010 Goals

In no particular order, I want to:

1: Take a sewing class with my cool new sewing machine that I received for Christmas. I am so excited about this…now I just have to learn how to use it!

2: Consistently workout and make it a part of every day. For so long I use to do this, I am incredibly upset that I let myself get out of this habit, which is why I am a bit unhappy with my current health state.

3: Read my scriptures everyday! This should be so easy, but unfortunately I let things get in the way when I shouldn’t. I have started this year off with renewed zest and plan on staying on top of things.

4: See Wicked! Finally! I have missed this show two times within the past two years because we had to move. First from Orlando then from Denver, so I am extremely happy that it will be making a stop in Miami and that we will get to go and see it. Woohoo!

5: Move into our own home. So, we don’t have one yet and we have just barely started looking, but I long for the days when my things are not in storage and when I need something I don’t have to go scourging through taped up boxes; only to come up empty handed. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for the generosity of my sister and brother in law to let us live with them, but it will be nice to have my own things back.

6: Keep our jobs! I am very humble, happy, ecstatic, (insert your own happy word here) that Russell and I have jobs. My goal is that we keep them thru 2010 and beyond ;)

7: Take the time to reach out to my friends and family throughout the year, especially when I am thinking of them. Too often I let the thought go and allow time to play a part in not making a phone call, etc.

8: Take a photography class and then learn how to take really awesome pictures. I would love to capture awesome moments in time and be able to share that with people.

9: Not cook Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. There comes a point in ones life in which you recognize that there are just too many people with too little space. My family reached their capacity probably 10 years ago, but we just didn’t acknowledge it. My sister and I are in on this together. Publix will suffice for our holiday meal plans and we will gladly let them.

10: Be a better wife. Not that I am bad, (I hope Russell agrees) but I’ve only done it for two years at this point, so I am hoping that every day I can get a little better. Because let’s be honest, we can all always do a little bit more.

Quitter

I am loving this song right now. The entire cd by Ms. Underwood (soon to be Mrs. Fisher, isn't that funny?) is really great, although this one just gets to me. I love it!



Here's how it goes
Boy meets girl
Girl leaves boy
That's all I know
All I've done, all my life



'Cause throughout my history
I've only been with jerks
Who couldn't take it
But you see the picket fence
A swing on the front porch with us two on it



When I believe that nothing lasts forever
You stay with me, keeping us together
And make me feel like I never, ever wanna give you up
'Til now, I've always been a quitter



You rescued me
Saved my life, just in time
Saw past all my issues and scars
And made me try

'Cause ohhh, the way you're kissing me makes it hard to breathe
But I still like it
Oh, oh, it truly feels like a dream
You know exactly how I want it



When I believe that nothing lasts forever
You stay with me, keeping us together
And make me feel like I never, ever wanna give you up
'Til now, I've always been a quitterI've always been a quitter



When I believe that nothing lasts forever
You stay with me, keeping us together
And make me feel like I never, ever wanna give you up
'Til now, I've always been a quitterI've always been a quitter

What is Christmas?

Thomas S. Monson, “What Is Christmas?,” Ensign, Dec 1998, 2

This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas.

There’s Christmas in the home and church,
There’s Christmas in the mart;
But you’ll not know what Christmas is
Unless it’s in your heart.

The bells may call across the snow,
And carols search the air;
But, oh, the heart will miss the thrill
Unless it’s Christmas there.

Christmas is children. As a young elder, I had been called to the old Primary Children’s Hospital that once stood on North Temple Street in Salt Lake City. There were children to be blessed. It was the Christmas season. I had never been in a children’s hospital before.

As our group entered the foyer, we noticed an attractively decorated Christmas tree, with beautifully wrapped gifts beneath its boughs.

A feeling of sympathy welled up within me as I noticed these tiny children, many with legs or arms in large plaster casts. Some were ever so weak and pale.

A young lad called out to us, “Will you give me a blessing?” Of course the blessing was given. I shall ever remember placing my hands on the tousled head of that faithful boy who was desperately ill. As we left his side, he looked up into my eyes and said, “Thank you, Brother Monson.”

We walked away, only to hear him call out, “Oh, Brother Monson, merry Christmas to you.” I could scarcely see him for the tears in my eyes. He had that glow about him that comes only at Christmastime. That boy trusted in his Heavenly Father. He acknowledged the priesthood of God. His faith was unwavering. I felt I was on holy ground.

What made the glow emanate from the presence of this faithful boy? It was the Christmas spirit. Why does peace come closer to reality at this season than at any other? Why is it that more friends are remembered and more enemies forgiven at the Christmas season than at any other time? It is the Christmas spirit.

Christmas is remembering. A year ago our thoughts turned to the celebration of the sesquicentennial of the arrival of the pioneers in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847. What was Christmas like that year?

From an entry in the diary of Mrs. Rebecca Riter, dated December 25, 1847, we read: “The winter was cold. Christmas came and the children were hungry. I had brought a peck of wheat across the plains and hid it under a pile of wood. I thought I would cook a handful of wheat for the baby. Then I thought how we would need wheat for seed in the spring, so I left it alone.”

Christmas is giving. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet, wrote: “Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only [true] gift is a portion of thyself.” 1

President David O. McKay said: “True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

“It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth,’ because it means—good will toward all men.” 2

A few years ago I received an anonymous letter from a kindhearted dentist who demonstrated brotherly love and goodwill. I’d like to share it with you:

“Dear President Monson:

“I feel remiss in that I should have sent you a thank-you note sooner. Last December I listened to your talk given during the Christmas devotional. You spoke of an older woman who could not afford to pay for the registration for an automobile she had recently purchased. Others came to her aid. All involved were touched.

“I am a dentist by profession. Not long after the devotional, my receptionist informed me that an acquaintance of hers was coming into my office. She had problems with two of her teeth. She knew this woman and told me of her circumstances. The woman carried many burdens. The family business, which she ran, was doing poorly and the family was three months behind in paying rent. They had five children, many grown into adulthood, but all had moved back home because of difficult personal circumstances. By sheer force of will, she had kept her family together for some time. Now two teeth were broken.

“The woman arrived for her appointment and explained about her dental problem. She asked if I would allow her to pay her bill over time. She explained to me that her family had experienced several financial reversals and were just recently starting to pay some overdue bills.

“I assured her that her credit was good with me. She asked if I could repair just one of the two broken teeth at that time. I assured her that I could, and we began.

“Since I had the time, I repaired both teeth, for which she was grateful. When the work was completed, thinking of your talk, I told her that if she would not be offended, I should like to make a Christmas present of the dental work, for which there would be no bill. She was astonished. I could sense the depth of the stress and strain she had carried, as uncontrollable tears of gratitude gushed forth due to a small, simple act of kindness. It must have been years since someone showed her some little favor. Not able to speak, she made her way out.

“Both my assistant and receptionist were so moved by her reaction that they also sprouted tears and could hardly speak. I, on the other hand, was doubly glad. One part, in seeing such a simple act have such a happy effect on another. And the second part, for once in my life having a patient in my office crying for joy, and not for pain!

“To you, my very best wishes.

“Sincerely,

“A brother in the gospel”

Christmas is prophecy fulfilled. On the eve of His birth, the voice of the Lord came unto Nephi, saying, “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” 3

What did the holy prophets of old declare? Isaiah, more than 700 years before the birth of Christ, prophesied, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” 4

On the American continent, King Benjamin said, “For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent … shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay. … He shall suffer temptations, and pain. … And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.” 5

Then came that night of nights when the shepherds were abiding in the fields and the angel of the Lord appeared to them, announcing: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. … For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” 6

The shepherds with haste went to the manger to pay honor to Christ the Lord. Later, wise men journeyed from the East to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. … When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” 7

Since that time, the spirit of giving gifts has been present in the mind of each Christian as he or she commemorates the Christmas season. Our Heavenly Father gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ. That precious Son gave to us His life, the Atonement, and victory over the grave.

What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He “went about doing good.” 8 As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours.

Happiness

It is amazing how filling our minds and spirits with things that are good, will change a somewhat melancholy mood almost immediately. I was just having an off day or as I say "a funk", Russell suggested I do some scripture study, but I also searched some topics on happiness. I came across these wonderful quotes from President Hinkley in the August 1997 Ensign and they really lifted my spirit.

Our Accountability to God

“I thank the Lord for the root of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is where we draw our strength. That is the source of our faith. That is the source of our understanding of things divine. That is the thing which brings purpose to our lives. …
“We are sons and daughters of God, our Eternal Father. Did you ever stop to think of what that means, that each of us has something of divinity within ourselves? It does not matter the color of our skin or the color of our hair. Each of us comes into this world with a divine birthright as sons and daughters of God. And as certainly as we are sons and daughters of God, someday we will have to account to Him for the way we have lived our lives. Will we be just a beautiful rose for a day or two, or will we be planted in the eternal truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ? My brothers and sisters, how thankful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ into which we can sink our roots and partake of the strength that comes therefrom. Life is purposeful under those circumstances. Life becomes a mission more than a career. We have more to do than to earn a living. We must live to serve” (fireside, Fukuoka, Japan, 19 May 1996).

The Way of Happiness

“The way of the Lord is the way of happiness. ‘Wickedness never was happiness’ [Alma 41:10]. Transgression never was happiness. Sin never was happiness. Disobedience never was happiness. The way of happiness is following the way of the Lord. I believe this with all my heart. If there is any message that runs through all of the Book of Mormon, it is this great, transcendent message—that when the people lived in righteousness, they were happy and they were prospered; and when they fell into wickedness, they were miserable, they were at war, they were in poverty, they were in trouble. That theme goes all the way through the Book of Mormon. As it was true then, so it is true now. The way of happiness for the people of this Church lies in following the ways of the Lord” (Oahu, Hawaii, regional conference, 18 Feb. 1996).

I have met you yet, but it's still a great song....

Thanks to Mr. Buble' for always bringing great music into our lives.

2nd Anniversary!!!

Wow! It sure doesn't feel like two years! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were dating and falling in lerve. :) I love you hunny! Here is to many more and forever.

What's Been Up

I am becoming a master Lego engineer...seriously, do they have jobs like that? I even have satisfied customers. ;)

Visiting and meeting new friends/family to celebrate two little girls on the way, to watch nerve racking football games, make pancakes, window shopping I-Drive, eat Anthony's pizza, dressing Russell up as a baby for said baby shower,and just sitting around visiting and catching up.

Root Canal - Pain, pain, and more pain. The worst part? That the endodontist didn't prescribe an antibiotic until two days later..."Oh, maybe the infection didn't go away" he says. Ya think? I probably couldn't sleep for three nights straight (unfortunately for Russell) and apparently I can't take pain medicine without getting very sick. I'll sign up for this being my first and last root canal.

Kenny Chesney - my oldest sister Michelle bought us all tickets to go and see him in concert this past Friday. Miranda Lambert was the opening act and he rocked it, as much as you can rock it country. Many people were very drunk, so we actually not only had the music entertainment, we had all of our surrounding friends to thank for some of the nights most memorable moments. Also, if you have seen Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist...we saw the girl who played Norah's friend Coraline. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0310966/ Check out that link for a visual. Obviously it really wasn't her, but she totally acted and looked just like the actress. Fun Times. Thanks Michelle. We had a blast!