Christmas time is a celebration of a spectacular event that changed everything forever. Mary bore the world its Savior in her son Jesus the Christ. We celebrate his birth at this wonderful time of year. Reproductions of his birth can be found everywhere, acted out or set up in lawns or in living rooms. The star, the shepherds, the manger, his earthly parents, and the Son. Wherever I am, this is what Christmas is about.
Recently we had a Relief Society activity where all the women shared either a) their favorite Christmas memory or b) a favorite Christmas tradition. It was fun to listen to all these woman, spanning ages 18 to 60+ speak of their families and their traditions and memories. It was not until then that I really realized I'll be in Provo, away from my family during this very special time. However, my thoughts and love will be with them as they meet together and share time and laughter.
The tradition I shared is one very close to the hearts of me and all of my siblings. Ever since I can remember, we decorate our tree. This is not unusual! Everyone decorates their tree. But decorating our tree is special. In a box is a collection of years and years worth of "art". Growing up, children create ornaments in preschool, elementary school, and in our case Primary. My mother collects these and they are lovingly brought out every year and spread all over the living room floor. Going from either eldest to youngest or vice verse, each child and parent chooses one ornament among many and stands beside the tree. We are then required to say something we are thankful for before placing our chosen ornament onto the tree. The next oldest/youngest then repeats the process until the ornaments are completely depleted, making the transition from floor to Christmas tree. This tradition is one of my very favorite parts of Christmas. Often, one or more of my siblings is far from home when we cover the tree. In such a case, we pull out our phones and they stay with us over that line of technology.
Although I will not be at home with my family, I will be there. In many of those ornaments is my love and hard work and even my name. My family will think of me as these objects take their place for the year on the tree.
This year my sister Kirsten and I have made new additions for our tree! These have been sorely lacking as Kirsten is the youngest at 18 years old. Friday night, cousin Hannah, Kirsten and I went over to my friend Scout's house and we made Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments!
Recipe:
1 cup Cinnamon
3/4 cup Applesauce
2 Tblsps Elmer's Glue
additional spices (cloves, ginger)
Roll out and cut with cookie cutters! Place on a cookie sheet. Using a broken toothpick or something else, create holes for ribbon. Bake at 200 degrees for 2 hours. String with ribbon and hang! Mmmm!
I hope we all take time this season to remember what we are really thankful for. We have been richly blessed and those blessings surround us every day, at all times. God loves us. He wishes happiness for us. He sent his Son, who was born of Mary to do his Father's business here upon the Earth. You are loved! Wherever you are, I hope you take a moment to be still and to feel it pour over you.
I can think of no better way to sign off from my blog for my mission than with a post dedicated to love, my family, and my Lord.
Happy Holidays!
-ME
(See you in 18 months!)
Recently we had a Relief Society activity where all the women shared either a) their favorite Christmas memory or b) a favorite Christmas tradition. It was fun to listen to all these woman, spanning ages 18 to 60+ speak of their families and their traditions and memories. It was not until then that I really realized I'll be in Provo, away from my family during this very special time. However, my thoughts and love will be with them as they meet together and share time and laughter.
The tradition I shared is one very close to the hearts of me and all of my siblings. Ever since I can remember, we decorate our tree. This is not unusual! Everyone decorates their tree. But decorating our tree is special. In a box is a collection of years and years worth of "art". Growing up, children create ornaments in preschool, elementary school, and in our case Primary. My mother collects these and they are lovingly brought out every year and spread all over the living room floor. Going from either eldest to youngest or vice verse, each child and parent chooses one ornament among many and stands beside the tree. We are then required to say something we are thankful for before placing our chosen ornament onto the tree. The next oldest/youngest then repeats the process until the ornaments are completely depleted, making the transition from floor to Christmas tree. This tradition is one of my very favorite parts of Christmas. Often, one or more of my siblings is far from home when we cover the tree. In such a case, we pull out our phones and they stay with us over that line of technology.
Although I will not be at home with my family, I will be there. In many of those ornaments is my love and hard work and even my name. My family will think of me as these objects take their place for the year on the tree.
This year my sister Kirsten and I have made new additions for our tree! These have been sorely lacking as Kirsten is the youngest at 18 years old. Friday night, cousin Hannah, Kirsten and I went over to my friend Scout's house and we made Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments!
1 cup Cinnamon
3/4 cup Applesauce
2 Tblsps Elmer's Glue
additional spices (cloves, ginger)
Roll out and cut with cookie cutters! Place on a cookie sheet. Using a broken toothpick or something else, create holes for ribbon. Bake at 200 degrees for 2 hours. String with ribbon and hang! Mmmm!
I hope we all take time this season to remember what we are really thankful for. We have been richly blessed and those blessings surround us every day, at all times. God loves us. He wishes happiness for us. He sent his Son, who was born of Mary to do his Father's business here upon the Earth. You are loved! Wherever you are, I hope you take a moment to be still and to feel it pour over you.
I can think of no better way to sign off from my blog for my mission than with a post dedicated to love, my family, and my Lord.
Happy Holidays!
-ME
(See you in 18 months!)
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