"And His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful"

"Tell His name, sing His praise in all the world, Till all the world believes, Till every voice is lifted up to praise the Prince of Peace."

My heart is full of gratitude for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, for His life, His love, and His gospel that brings peace and joy every day and will lead us back to Him!  I know that "the world will be healed by His power." #HisDay #mytestimony #Hehasmyheart #wardchoir #excitedforChristmas

It's that time of year....

Every Christmastime it seems there is a song that keeps finding me and I love this year's song:

Christmas Waltz
Frosted window panes

Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa's on his way
He's filled his sleigh with things
Things for you and for me

It's that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too

Santa's on his way
He's filled his sleigh with things
Things for you and for me

It's that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours
Everyone
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true (Merry Christmas)

A Home for Jesus

Today I was uplifted by a Christmas message by Bishop Gerard Causse.  He talked about the blessing of temples and how Jesus now has a home.  While He was here on the earth Jesus didn't have a home.  He spent most of His life, particularly His ministry, traveling to bless and teach others, but now with temples all over the world, He has a home!  We recite the story of His humble birth in a stable because there was not even room in the inn.

As disciples of Christ (particularly the General Authorities, but all of us in our own way) are asked to go where He directs, to travel, to teach, to bless.  We may give up some of our comforts.  Our most important goal should be to make a home for Jesus...in our homes, in our lives, in the temple, by helping others.  Remember... "When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:38-40).

This is so applicable today, in large and small ways.  For example - Jesus Would Help the Syrian Refugees.  Victor Hugo said, “to love another person is to see the face of God.”  Instead of letting fear enter our hearts or control our lives we can try to see as He does, love as He does, and this is how we make a home for him - make a home for others, love them, let them in, take care of them physically and spiritually.

What I learned during my Christmas vacation

I love Christmas.  I love family.  I love vacation.  I love travel.  All of these things together is just wonderful!  It was a special and unique Christmas - just me and the parents and St. George, celebrating like it was 1979!  :)  I'm grateful.  They are pretty great and it was lots of fun and relaxation.

Here are a few things I learned during my Christmas vacation:

• It's okay to work late and stop and stay at your sister's for Christmas Eve Eve, in fact, quite fun!  Happy Birthday, Joseph Smith!  
• Utah is BEAUTIFUL!  I really love driving across the state in the daylight and sunshine....and have you seen the Payson Temple?  Beautiful!
• Hiking, even in the cold and with a cold and especially in Zions National Park, does a body good!
• I think one of my favorite hikes of all time is Observation Point at Zion.  It's enchanting with the fall leaves in bloom and on Christmas Eve with a dusting of snow....and don't miss the cool nativity set across the canyon on the other mesa.
• You can only be in one place to see the sunset on a given day.  There are lots of great options.  Choose where you want to be and be ready!  :)
• It's good to relax and sleep and play (games, movies, talking) and exercise.
• It's good to spend time with family members, one-on-one.
• It's important to use our time well and to have goals and to keep a journal.
• It's good to spend time at the temple.  I really love the St. George Temple - its historic significance and beauty and the chances I've had to attend and feel the spirit there.  I'm reminded after my visit this time of how beautiful Heavenly Father's plan is and what a blessing it is to be a part of His work.  I think it's remarkable that there is always someone ready to step in and keep doing His work.  We help and serve and bless each other as we serve Him and are ready to step in.  :) 
• Snow Canyon is another pretty great place.  The world is beautiful!  It's good to explore and enjoy and appreciate.
• I'm grateful for weather reports and how they help us plan to avoid dangers, like snow.  :)  Again, Utah is a beautiful place - it was a whole new view a few days later....everything was WHITE!  Watching the sun set out my back window, I felt like I was driving out of the sunshine corner of the world into a beautiful snow globe.  Pretty neat!
• Even after Christmas is over, Temple Square is still magical #becauseofHim #HeistheGift !

Merry Christmas!

Little Drummer Boy

Christmas for me this year has had a lot to do with music.  I love music, but especially Christmas music!  :)  I listen to it anytime of year, but it's wonderful when the whole world is celebrating together with me.  I have some favorite Pandora stations and even though I don't spend a lot of time in my car I love turning on the radio this time of year!

It seems to me that there is always a song that finds me each Christmas - it's the one on the radio each time I get in the car.  A few years ago it was "Last Christmas" (not a favorite).  Last year it was "Christmas Shoes" (a little bit better).  This year it's been "Little Drummer Boy" - every possible version.  It has a catchy tune and beat, but between all of the rum pum pums I guess I never sat and looked at the rest of the lyrics closely:

Come they told me
A new born King to see

Our finest gifts we bring
To lay before the King

So to honor Him
When we come

Little baby
I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give our King

Shall I play for you
On my drum

Mary nodded
The ox and lamb kept time
I played my drum for Him
I played my best for Him

Then He smiled at me
Me and my drum

I love this message!  We all have something to give and are blessed with different talents.  The Lord loves us for our offering and He smiles at us.  :)

One other song that I never would have thought of as Christmas song, but that I heard in that context this year and I'm grateful - Together Forever Someday.

For some of my other favorite Christmas songs this year, follow me on instagram @heatheronthemoor - a line from a meaningful song from the day is included with a picture of the lights from Temple Square.  :)

Christmas Ponderings (See also Luke 2:19)

I have been inspired and affected by the Christmas spirit and Christmas message early and often so far this year.  I am grateful.  The lights, music, stories, pictures, scriptures, videos, plays, nativities, service, family, friends, symbols, reminders, thoughts and examples have been a blessing.

I'm reminded that Christmas doesn't need to be just one day or season, but the important message that we love and share at this time of year is really for every day.  I was particularly grateful for the opportunity I had today to participate in a small way in Christmas devotional at work.  The choir sang a few BEAUTIFUL numbers that really touched my heart and changed and uplifted and healed me.  Here are two of them:

Come, Lord Jesus (from Savior of the World, which I recommend everyone see!  I think this probably did more than anything else to help me feel the real spirit of Christmas and anticipation and love early this year.)

Once in Royal David's City (including an additional, beautiful fourth verse)
Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

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;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heav'n above,
And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.

One day he will come to greet us Blazing trails of glory past.

We will bow in adoration, For our Lord has come at last. 

O the long awaited morning, We will shout in joyous praise.

Promised Lord at last to meet us, Christ, the King of latter-days.

If that music weren't enough,  inspiring messages by three wonderful leaders also inspired, uplifted, strengthened, and blessed me:

• What do you do to always remember Him?  Remembering Him helps us have the Spirit, which helps us be one with Him.
• Just as "he leads his children on to the place where he is gone" we learn in Revelations 7:16-17, "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  At this time of year it's a blessing and opportunity to seek His love and His approval of our offering to Him.  There is something wonderful in thinking about the rest of Jesus' life as well - His ministry, teachings, Atonement, and Resurrection, and even how He will come again in glory, but now, at this time, we should stop and focus on the baby.  Pray, just listen, feel his love, just you and the baby.  :)
• The humble scene of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus teaches us more about truth, wealth, hope, and love than anyone or anything else in the world.

I'm grateful for the blessing and gift of Christ...and the chance to learn and ponder what that means for me.

These thoughts reminded me of a quote I loved at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional by Sister Oscarson.  She quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley who quoted E. T. Sullivan, who said: "When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn’t stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born. … And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies."  And then she added, "Notice the great patience which God the Father has in letting His plan for His children unfold. The Savior of the world did not come to earth at that time with a great show of power and majesty—He came as a helpless baby. This Christ child was certainly one of “the greatest forces in the world,” and yet He was born in a simple stable with straw in a manger for His bed."

I'm grateful for the Lord's plan and His love for each of His children!

Christmas!

A few things I'm already loving about the season....

• Where Are You Christmas?
• Angels We Have Heard On High
• Angels From the Realms of Glory
• Twinkle Lullaby
• Savior of the World
• 2014 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Christmas Trees

This year while setting up my Christmas tree and helping my mom and sister with theirs I was very grateful for the little reminders of experiences in years past.  Most importantly, of course, Christmas trees are symbols and reminders of Christ and the blessing of everlasting life that He offers each of us.  I'm grateful for that reminder and incredible blessing!

I also think that there is something really special and sweet about the story of each Christmas tree.  Just like each person has a story to tell, full of unique experiences and challenges and meaningful symbols, each tree stands as a witness of someone or something special.  We all have a story!  I'm grateful for the unique stories and the opportunities we have to bless others and learn about and love others!  There is so much good in the world and so much to learn and so much to love!  :)

He is the Gift #ShareTheGift

I LOVE this video that sweetly reminds us of the purpose of Christmas celebrations, gifts, and life itself:



"For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Do You Have Room?

This Christmas Sunday I was touched by two ideas taught by Elder Neal A. Maxwell - very applicable at this time of year, but always!  One thought refers to the star of Bethlehem and its orbit that was determined long before that important night.  The other is the lesson we can learn from the innkeepers.

In his 2002 talk entitled Encircled in the Arms of His Love, Elder Neal A. Maxwell refers to the star of Bethlehem to help illustrate how God has prepared the way for:

"Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem?  It was in its precise orbit long before it so shone.  We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate.  Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos but on this planet, too.  After all, the Book of Mormon plates were not buried in Belgium, only to have Joseph Smith born centuries later in distant Bombay....

"The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that God, 'before [the earth] rolled into existence,...contemplated the whole of the events connected with the earth. ...[God] knew...the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family, their weaknesses and strength, ...the situation of all nations and ... their destiny, ...and [He] has made ample provision [for mankind's] redemption.'  

"Part of God's 'ample provision' consists of imperfect people like you and me, committed to shining and serving in our appointed orbits, knowing all the while that we are encircled 'in the arms of [His] love.'"

Ten years earlier, in his talk entitled Settle This in Your Hearts, Elder Maxwell declared, "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!"  What would we have done if we were there that night?  How would we have made room for strangers traveling by in need of help?  How do we open our hearts and homes and lives to Him today, each day?  Are we distracted or embarrassed or busy or are we open and looking for ways to invite Him in?  :)

This is a BEAUTIFUL song and video reminding us of that message to make room for Him in our lives:



I'm grateful for the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ!  I'm grateful that our loving Heavenly Father sent Him to earth to live and die for us.  I'm grateful also that He sent us here to live and learn and come to know Him as we strive to understand the "orbits [we are] to illuminate."  I hope to work more diligently and purposefully to make room for Him each day!

Giving Gifts

I'm not a good gift-giver.  Gifts aren't my love language, so sometimes I have a hard time finding the right gift for others and I probably don't adequately acknowledge and thank those who are good gift-givers.  I love the idea of giving, but I'm better at giving time and energy myself.  I've wondered why gifts are such a focus of Christmas, but I like to remember that we are honoring the Savior and I am inspired by others who are good gift-givers....and a few articles I've read lately about how to give good gifts:

• 5 ways to give a heartfelt gift that lasts
• Separating Christmas giving from Christmas getting
• Success and fail of the handmade gift
• 3 myths about gift giving
• To the mamas of littles during the holidays
• Seeking the why of giving
• Which Americans give most to charity?
• Inspired Gifts
• It's not too late to give work 'gifts'
• Preparing Gifts for your Future Family by President Henry B. Eyring (from a 1980 BYU Devotional)

One of my favorite quotes on this topic is from President Thomas S. Monson's talk at the December 1998 First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  He teaches, "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.'  As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours."  

There was a Christmas exhibit at the Church History Museum this year celebrating the Boy Scouts and doing a good turn daily.  I was inspired by that thought and gift and focus.  I want to be a better gift giver.  I am grateful for the gift that Heavenly Father gave of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ....and hope I to remember to honor Them every day by doing good.

Journey to Bethlehem

I LOVED visiting Israel this summer!  Ever since then the scriptures have come to life even more for me.  It's amazing to be able to picture in my mind "going up to Jerusalem" and the diverse religious groups and customs.  It was a wonderful trip!  I learned so much.  I have a greater love and appreciation for this area and its history and people, particularly for the life of the Savior and those that knew Him when He lived on the earth.  There is more I wished I could have seen and done, but it was an amazing tour for the few short days we were there.

One place that we didn't get to and that I would like to visit sometime is Bethlehem.  I have been reminded of this (the Little Town of Bethlehem) often in the past few weeks - everyone is talking about going to Bethlehem!  :)  A few have mentioned that it isn't an easy journey - it wasn't for Mary and Joseph and it isn't today (across a heavily guarded border of the West Bank), but thinking about that journey has been even more meaningful to me this year.  I really loved two essays that I read recently (from different perspectives, but equally inspiring) about bustling Bethlehem:

• Recalling the bustle of Bethlehem
• Christmas near Bethlehem:  A holy night in a holy city

I loved this sweet depiction of the sacred events:  Good Tidings of Great Joy: The Birth of Jesus Christ

I was particularly touched and inspired by President Monson's comment at this year's Christmas Devotional: "May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior."  More important than fancy gifts and a physical journey to Bethlehem is a spiritual journey to be with Christ and to bring an open and loving heart.  This is such a sweet and wonderful reminder of what it's all about!

A Month of Testimony

I LOVE Christmas time, the decorations, the music, the stories, the movies, the lights, the trees, the traditions, the goodies, the time to gather with family and friends.  It's about joy, faith, peace, hope, giving, sacrifice, kindness, goodness, believing, freedom, and love.  It's about Christ!  All of these blessings and every other good gift and blessing come into our lives because of Him.

I testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior, the Son of God.  He lives!  Because of His life and love and Atonement and sacrifice and example and resurrection, our lives have purpose and meaning and direction.  Each day this Christmas season I want "to give an answer...[and] a reason of the hope that is in [me] (see 1 Peter 3:15)."  (Check back for daily updates....and feel free to share your own reasons for hope in the comments.)  Merry Christmas!  :)

1. I testify of the true love felt in family relationships.  I testify of the eternal and important role families play in our Heavenly Father's plan.
2. I testify of the love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ demonstrated in creating our beautiful world - the mountains, the hills, the red rock, the desert, the seasons, the weather, the rivers, the sun, the trees, and the open country.
3. I testify of the cleansing power of the Atonement - in our lives and in the world.  Waking up to a world covered in white snow makes me think of the importance of being clean and white.  It reminds me to slow down and think about what's important and the purpose of our creation.  I'm grateful that our lives can be made clean and white through Him.
4. I testify of the peace of the blessings of the temple and that we truly are children of God.  He loves us.  He knows us....each one.  He is "no respecter of persons" but loves each of His children.
5. I testify of the blessings of a testimony of Jesus Christ and the joy felt in sharing our knowledge with others and learning from others as they teach by the Spirit.  We each have different talents and understanding, but we can bless others as we share and learn as we humble ourselves and seek knowledge.
6. I testify of the importance of giving of self, sharing talents and being real and genuine.  Christ gave all.  We each have something we can give.  As we humble ourselves and share who we really are we will be happy.
7. I know that there are great blessings of peace and joy and direction that come when we take time to be still and ponder and read and learn and study the words and teachings of the Lord.
8. I know that sacrifice is key to our Heavenly Father's plan.  President Hinckley said, "Christmas means giving.  The Father gave the Son, and the Son gave His life.  Without giving there is not true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is not true worship."
9. I testify of the importance of work and the joy it brings in our life when we labor to learn and grow and support ourselves and make a difference for good in the world.
10. I know God loves us.  One way we see and experience that love is through other people who are good and kind and love and serve and care and reach out in personal ways to share love with others.  I'm grateful for those examples in my life today!
11. I testify of the importance of service and visiting and ministering and knowing those around us so that we can help them.  For the last several years my service opportunities at church have revolved around organizing individuals to reach out and serve and minister one-on-one to those around them.  I know this is important and the Lord's way - to know our neighbors and love and support them.
12. I testify of the truthfulness of the Bible.  I know it is the word of God and teaches of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  I am grateful that we have these words to study and learn from the life of our Savior.
13. I testify of the importance of good music and how it can help us come to know Him better.  I am grateful for those that are blessed with talents to write and perform inspirational music, especially at this time of year, as it points all of us to the Savior.
14. I testify of the importance of giving.  God loves us and gave us everything that we have - our lives and His son.  As we strive to become like Him we must learn to give in meaningful ways.
15. I know that missionary work is the work of God.  He wants all of His children to have the opportunity to learn and know of His love and plan for them here and now and as soon as possible, so He sends missionaries all over the world to serve and teach and share.  These missionaries are blessed in the process and draw closer to the Lord as they give and learn and teach.  It's a beautiful plan and program.
16. I know that we aren't strangers.  It's wonderful to be a part of a community and to be connected and rejoice and celebrate the goodness of God together!
17. I know that angels are real!  They have come to proclaim important events.  They continue to teach and sing and rejoice.  They are among us.
18. I know that everything -- especially the creations of the earth (the snow, the trees, the lights in the heavens) -- testify that God lives!
19. I know that we will be happy as we keep God's commandments and live faithfully to the covenants we have made with Him.  I'm grateful for commandments and covenants that bind us to Him.
20. I know that Jesus truly is the light and life of the world.
21. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true testament and record of Jesus Christ's teachings and that studying and living these teachings will bring us happiness and closer to God.
22. I testify of the importance of letting the Savior into our lives.  There can be many distractions and other priorities, but when we remember Him and put Him first we will be blessed and happy and have opportunities to help others as well.
23. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God - chosen to restore the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.  I know that he saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ - a revelation that changed the world forever.
24. I know that Jesus lives.  He was born under miraculous and humble circumstances.  He lived a perfect life and His infinite Atonement saved the world and each one of us.
25. I testify of the importance of family traditions and relationships and being together.
26. I know that God love us no matter what - even when we're sick and seemingly useless.  :)
27. I testify that God is love.
28. I know that it's good to have time to be still and quiet and rest.  It's sometimes in the quiet moments that we can feel God's love and inspiration.
29. I know that it is important to study and seek and ask and learn.  We can come to know God.
30. I testify that God hears our prayers.  He is our Father.  He loves us.  He is a part of our lives, especially when we invite Him in.
31. I know that God will speak to us as we are open to listen.  He speaks to us when we are humble, when we are quiet and listening.  He speaks to us when we put ourselves in places where we can be inspired.  He speaks to us through music.  He speaks to us through scriptures.  He speaks to us through prophets and leaders.  He speaks to us through the Holy Ghost.  I know He loves us - He speaks to us!

Christmas and 20 or so days of lights....

I'm grateful for the symbols of Christmas.  I'm grateful for angels, for joy, for miracles, for lights, for shepherds, for the good news, for gifts, for wise men, for stars, for snow, for family, for love, for home, for trees, for hope, for gifts, for simplicity and focus, for bells, for children, for music, for faith, for service, for love, for JESUS!  I hope to keep Christmas with me all year this year....  :)

Home

I'll be home for Christmas.....in so many ways that's what it's ALL about!  HOME!  :)  It was really nice to be home for Christmas this year.  It's a new home in some ways, but not at all in other ways.  Home is where the heart is. <3  Home is family.  I love my family and the subset of us that got to hang out for a few days to celebrate!  :)

simplicity and stillness

With all the hustle and bustle and busy-ness of the season I was reminded of the beautiful and pure and SIMPLE joy of what it's all about....I think in some ways the tendency to become over-scheduled or burdened during the holidays is a perfect reminder of the importance of simplicity and focus.  That's probably easy for me to say when my life is pretty simple these days, but I find great joy in simplicity and know that there is peace in being still and knowing that God lives and loves us!  :)

"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 Savior, 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 (Luke 2:10-12)."

"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 fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoke by the mouth of my holy prophets (3 Nephi 1:13)."

CHARITY

I have been thinking a lot about two special Christmas songs that talk about the love our Heavenly Father has for us.  He sent His Son to the earth for us, and so we celebrate Christmas.

• Were you there on that Christmas night?  "Did you know it was love that was sent from above to the earth?"
• Joy to Everyone this Christmas  "Love. It was perfect love...that came to earth...sent from heaven above...to the world that Christmas night."

I am so grateful for His LOVE...and the love our Savior has for us.  This is what Christmas is all about - love, the perfect and pure love of Christ.  The love they offer to each of us.  We should do all we can to learn about this love and share it with everyone we can!

I have been grateful for the example of many - including family members, friends, strangers, sweet Relief Society sisters - that have taught me more about this love this season and this year.

FAITH

This wasn't originally intended as another Christmas post, but I think it is. J Christmas is all about FAITH and believing! I love how scripture study is always exactly what I need.....the answers and peace, that sometimes I don't even know I'm searching for, are right there. I love the book of Ether. What an amazing part of the Book of Mormon! What a blessing to know of these people and their trials and their faith. Can you imagine how Moroni must have felt writing this? He just witnessed the entire destruction of his civilization and was all alone, and here he is writing about how it happened to the Jaredites before! 

Amidst the wickedness and heartache, this book is full of AMAZING faith, miracles, truth and power. I learned so much studying the first few chapters this week and am encouraged and motivated and inspired. I should have recorded my thoughts earlier, but I don't think I can completely describe the truth and joy I felt studying these chapters:

·        It's interesting to see Jared's faith in his brother. I believe that there is power in uniting our prayers and faith together and it may have been that the brother of Jared was the patriarch of the family and the one to lead out here, but I wonder, maybe unfairly, if Jared maybe didn't have the same faith in his own prayers. Maybe I wonder because I've felt that before and thought that maybe someone else's prayer might be more effective than mine. But, doesn't a loving Heavenly Father hear and answer all of His children's' prayers? I think we each have the individual responsibility to develop our faith and trust in the Lord. 

·        The Lord's compassion for his children who turn to Him and call on Him is beautiful. I think there is so much power in ASKING. Just as Elder Holland has said, "God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe."

·        I'm inspired by the brother of Jared's example of consistently calling on the Lord and following His directions. Prayer is power and we will be chastened for forgetting Him. The Lord may already know what we need, even better than we do in fact, but we must exercise our faith and show humility by consistently turning to Him in prayer, and talking with Him. It's obvious that the brother of Jared converses with the Lord. Reading the end of chapter two it's easy to forget that this conservation is going on between two people that aren’t looking right at each other.

·        The Lord will bless us and direct us and show us how to build boats and make it possible for us to breathe. He will even make the wind blow to the promised land, but he also invites us to work and pray and figure out on our own how to create light and how to proceed. He wants us to grow and learn for ourselves. That's why we're here.

·        I was touched by the brother of Jared's humility as he comes back to the Lord with an idea for creating light in the boats. He very meekly recognizes his place and his dependence on the Lord, thanking Him for the mercies he has shown them and then he asks in great faith, knowing that the Lord has all power to do anything, for the Lord to touch rocks and make them light. Then the Lord lovingly responds by touching the rocks and the brother of Jared sees His finger because of his great faith. Then still in great faith and humility he asks the Lord to show Himself to him, which He does. The Lord ministers to him as he had to the Nephites. Now the brother of Jared KNOWS, he has faith no longer. He can't be kept within the veil. He was to write and treasure these things up and not share them with the world until He came.

There is so much to learn from this experience, but I think most importantly for me this time I was reading was the importance of humility, faith, prayer, action, asking, believing, working, knowing and loving the Savior. This is what it's all about! He lives! He loves us! He blesses us! He knows us! We need to know Him! 

Traveling

I was thinking today about how many people spend a lot of time traveling to be with family to celebrate Christmas.  We aren't the first travelers.  Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem.  The wise men traveled from far following the star to come and worship the baby Jesus.  Shepherds traveled from their fields and then abroad to make known that they had seen the Savior of the world.

As we travel we can remember those who traveled before to witness the Savior's birth.  Hopefully in our travels, wherever we are going, we will come to Him, as well.

Merry Christmas!!

After two years of carefully having to say "Happy Holidays" nearly everywhere I turned it is WONDERFUL to hear very heartfelt "Merry Christmas!"es down the halls of work!  :) ....and almost everywhere I go.