Christmas Spirit

I love this short little message from a Christmas Devotional given a couple of years ago and thought I would share, enjoy!

The First Presidency Christmas Message (2009):

"In celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ our thoughts turn to that sacred occasion when He was born “The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). He promised: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Truly, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer who was “wounded for our transgressions … and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)."

"Our prayer this Christmas season is that the light and testimony of the Savior's divine mission will come into our hearts and be reflected in our lives and in our homes."

"May each of us be blessed, not only at this Christmas season, but also throughout the coming year. May our faith in Jesus Christ increase as we follow His example in all we do and say."

Merry Christmas!

A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 So everyone remember our cute little entertainment center we got for $20 when we first moved into our apartment? Well it is now gone and replaced by this years Christmas. Although we haven't had it for long we have been enjoying it, not to mention it gave me an excuse to rearrange me whole apartment. Cleaning and rearranging things can be so refreshing!

Don't mind the unevenly arranged pictures on the walls, I haven't quite had the time to add all the little homey touches yet.

 Not only did we rearrange our living room but we got our Christmas tree! It honestly would not feel like Christmas without it. I love coming home to the fresh smell of pine and the warmth the beautiful decorations bring into our home. For our wedding my aunt gave us a big plastic container filled with Christmas tree decorations and lights which really have been wonderful. I think it is such a clever idea to give newly weds Christmas decorations since the majority of us are poor college students that don't have any money to spend on them, especially during this time of year. My mom also gave me my box of Christmas ornaments that my Grandma Robertson has given me over the years and the one's I had made when I was young. My Grandma Robertson has the most extraordinary nativity collection and every Christmas she gives all of the grandchildren a new nativity ornament, which have now come in very good use.

While we truly enjoy the many material holiday traditions during this time of year, we are both so grateful for our Savior and the gift that he has given us. We loved the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional and their reminder to us of what Christmas is really about. This is such a joyous time of year and we have so much to be grateful for. In fact for FHE the other night Collin and I took this month's Ensign challenge to write down 100 things we are thankful for. It took some time but it was fun comparing our listz and made us realize that a list of 100 things doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the things Heavenly Father has blessed our lives with. If any of you want to take the "Gratitude Challenge" here are some suggestions that the Ensign gives in listing what you are grateful for:

1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
7. Write 10 place on earth you are grateful for.
8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for.
10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are thankful for. 

 

Blast to the Past

Look what my sister found on her old camera!

These were from the night Collin proposed to me. It was a particularly cold Wednesday night, October 28, 2009 to be exact. I had been sick that day with a bad cold and missed most of my classes because of it. During the time that we were dating Collin lived in West Jordan and went to school up in Sandy. We were both so busy with school and work that he normally only came down on the weekends but for some reason he was able to come to Provo that night.

I remember being asleep when Collin first got to my apartment and after waking up a little bit Collin convinced me to go to the store with him to get some medicine. To my surprise, when we got back to the apartment all the lights were off except for some candles that lit up a huge pumpkin sitting on my coffee table. Carved into the pumpkin were the words, "Marry me?" and laying in front of the pumpkin was a beautiful, shinning ring!

He knelt, proposed and I of course said YES! It wasn't long after that that I heard clapping and shouts. Slowly Hanna and Ashly crawled out from under our kitchen table where they had been watching and Eric stood up from behind the couch where he was apparently filming the whole ordeal. We all had a good laugh and then celebrated the happy event...the rest is history. Now we have been married for two glorious years, have shared so many cherished memories, and look forward for the many more to come. Looking back has reminded me of how grateful I am for our family and friends that have supported us every step of the way and for my loving husband who is truly my perfect match.