Christmas was successful. All the children were pleased with their gifts. (thank heavens) And then it snowed, and snowed. We stayed nice and toasty inside. The following day brought more snow, we have received more snow in this last week then we did in one month last year (I can't tell you what month that was but I'm sure my calculations are right).
When it was safe to go out onto the roads again we went to the new movie "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler. OKAY this is my new Favorite movie. I laughed and smiled and laughed and smiled. IT was a writers treat. SO go see it and tell me what you think.
We now are focusing on Riley's baptism which will be on Saturday. Then I think I can breathe a little easier.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Young Mary
Okay so this is a part that I wrote for the young women in our ward, my friend asked me to come and did this reading for their Christmas program. After I read it we played "Mary, did you know" by Kenny Rogers (one of my favorite christmas songs) It went well. We also made cute baby Jesus's out of material that we gave them. It was fun to do.
The Young Mary
Ever since I was young I’ve been respectful, especially to my Elders.
However, the older I became the more responsibility I was given. There were times that I felt like my parents had forgotten what it was like to be young and carefree, but as time passed I saw how this additional accountability helped me in the long run.
My mother would say, “Mary, Mary, you were destined for greatness.” I thought that was her way to convince me to do my chores without complaint. The sweet smile she would give me always made me feel loved.
Then came that day when everything changed. I returned from selling items at the market. Shortly after I walked in my father summoned me into the sitting room. My eye quickly caught sight of Joseph, son of Jacob who labored near by. I always saw him carrying wood from place to place. I knew Joseph was strong and dependable.
Once I made eye contact with him, he smiled kindly at me. I wondered why he was in my home.
My father said, “Joseph has asked for your hand in marriage.”
My mouth dropped open. I had to hurry and cover it before I appeared rude. Joseph’s eyes sparkled and kindness spread across his firm features.
Fear stuck my heart. I wasn’t that I was afraid of Joseph but this new responsibility. Would I be the wife he wanted? Could I measure up to his aspirations? As I stared at Joseph a new feeling came over me, for the first time I really wanted to make someone happy by my actions. But doubt seeped into my heart, I still felt young, would I be able to please him?
As I sat out by the olive tree behind our house, I got lost in my contemplations of my future.
Out of nowhere a bright light descended out of the sky. Then a white robed man stood before me saying, “Low thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with three; blessed art thou among women.”
I was baffled at his words; me—favored? A lowly girl, confused with her purpose.
Again the angel spoke, “Fear not, Mary.”
He knew my name, I sat straight.
He exclaimed, “Thou hast found favor with God.”
My heart melted, God knew me personally?
He then informed, “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest.”
I immediately asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of Highest shall overshadow thee.”
I stared at him in amazement.
He cleared his throat and said, “Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” He leaned forward as if revealing a secret. “And behold thy cousin Elisabeth hath also conceived a son in her old age. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
After hearing this my heart softened, I bowed my head and said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word.” When I looked back up at him he smiled tenderly at me then vanished into thin air.
I sat dumbfounded; I had just seen an angel and he declared that I was favored of God. I WAS going to carry His son. My heart burned deep within me.
I ran into the house to tell my mother. She exclaimed, “Mary, Mary, the blessed. I knew you would do something important.”
I knew then I had to show forth faith.
Joseph, however, wasn’t so convinced. He was about to put me away when an angel visited him in a dream saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” The angel then told Joseph, “Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is God with us.”
After Joseph had this dream, he took me as his wife.
I visited Elisabeth to share in her joy, when I hugged her she exclaimed that her baby leaped inside her womb. The Holy Ghost filled her and she said, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
Her words were much like the angel’s they warmed my soul.
When she said, “Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
I paused, would I be able to carry this child and be the mother I was meant to be? Oh how I wanted to magnify the Lord, for my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior. I replied, “He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is, might hath done to me great things and holy is his name.”
I felt the awesome responsibility rest on my shoulders and yet I was honored to be chosen as the one who would bring for God’s son.
Tax time came and we were ordered to Judaea unto the city of David. I was heavy with child. Joseph cared for me as I rode the long distance on a donkey. The narrow road was hard to travel on.
By the time we arrived into Bethlehem it was late and I was sore and tired.
Joseph tired to find us a place to lay; but there was no room in the inn’s.
Inn after Inn we were turned away.
Finally an Inn keeper had mercy on us and allowed us to stay in a stable.
Joseph apologized over and over for our meager accommodations.
Thankfully our place was private, for it was there that I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy.
He was perfect, full brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, tiny fingers and toes.
Though his birth place was less than appropriate, we witnessed the special way that God chose to proclaim His son’s birth. Shepherds’ arrived declaring that an angel had come upon them saying, “Fear not for behold I bring you glad 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.”
Their words only solidified the divine nature of my son. I already felt his greatness as I held him. Amazingly, I had just wrapped Jesus in what I had. And yet the angel knew of my doing. I loved knowing that God was watching over His son here on earth.
It was then I wanted to serve God to the best of my ability.
The values I had been taught to believe in, must be carried on to my wonderful son, so he too would learn them. I wanted him to know about the importance of faith, good works and integrity.
The joy I felt in my soul that night CANNOT be put into words. The love that swelled in my heart seemed to have doubled its size.
Joseph lovely cared for us both.
When the wise men found us after following the new star in the heavens, my confirmation that God would protect us was confirmed. Their offered gifts helped us keep hidden from King Herod, who wanted my precious son dead.
As I served my son, which was here to save mankind, my mind lacked the ability to fully comprehend this enormous task.
But then he called me “mother” and I knew that my own mother was right—Mary was important. I, Mary, was the mother of the Son of God. The Savior of the world!
I started out as a mere young woman, who was taught that I had individual worth. With this knowledge I grew up to fulfill the greatest calling that one could have— that of being a mother.
A mother that carries on the vital love that one must feel, the love that my loving Savior bestows upon all.
If there is one advice I could give, it would be to live worthy to fulfill any calling that comes to you from the Lord.
For all who love God are favored of Him.
We are all the handmaidens of the Lord.
The Young Mary
Ever since I was young I’ve been respectful, especially to my Elders.
However, the older I became the more responsibility I was given. There were times that I felt like my parents had forgotten what it was like to be young and carefree, but as time passed I saw how this additional accountability helped me in the long run.
My mother would say, “Mary, Mary, you were destined for greatness.” I thought that was her way to convince me to do my chores without complaint. The sweet smile she would give me always made me feel loved.
Then came that day when everything changed. I returned from selling items at the market. Shortly after I walked in my father summoned me into the sitting room. My eye quickly caught sight of Joseph, son of Jacob who labored near by. I always saw him carrying wood from place to place. I knew Joseph was strong and dependable.
Once I made eye contact with him, he smiled kindly at me. I wondered why he was in my home.
My father said, “Joseph has asked for your hand in marriage.”
My mouth dropped open. I had to hurry and cover it before I appeared rude. Joseph’s eyes sparkled and kindness spread across his firm features.
Fear stuck my heart. I wasn’t that I was afraid of Joseph but this new responsibility. Would I be the wife he wanted? Could I measure up to his aspirations? As I stared at Joseph a new feeling came over me, for the first time I really wanted to make someone happy by my actions. But doubt seeped into my heart, I still felt young, would I be able to please him?
As I sat out by the olive tree behind our house, I got lost in my contemplations of my future.
Out of nowhere a bright light descended out of the sky. Then a white robed man stood before me saying, “Low thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with three; blessed art thou among women.”
I was baffled at his words; me—favored? A lowly girl, confused with her purpose.
Again the angel spoke, “Fear not, Mary.”
He knew my name, I sat straight.
He exclaimed, “Thou hast found favor with God.”
My heart melted, God knew me personally?
He then informed, “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest.”
I immediately asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of Highest shall overshadow thee.”
I stared at him in amazement.
He cleared his throat and said, “Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” He leaned forward as if revealing a secret. “And behold thy cousin Elisabeth hath also conceived a son in her old age. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
After hearing this my heart softened, I bowed my head and said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word.” When I looked back up at him he smiled tenderly at me then vanished into thin air.
I sat dumbfounded; I had just seen an angel and he declared that I was favored of God. I WAS going to carry His son. My heart burned deep within me.
I ran into the house to tell my mother. She exclaimed, “Mary, Mary, the blessed. I knew you would do something important.”
I knew then I had to show forth faith.
Joseph, however, wasn’t so convinced. He was about to put me away when an angel visited him in a dream saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” The angel then told Joseph, “Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is God with us.”
After Joseph had this dream, he took me as his wife.
I visited Elisabeth to share in her joy, when I hugged her she exclaimed that her baby leaped inside her womb. The Holy Ghost filled her and she said, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
Her words were much like the angel’s they warmed my soul.
When she said, “Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
I paused, would I be able to carry this child and be the mother I was meant to be? Oh how I wanted to magnify the Lord, for my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior. I replied, “He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is, might hath done to me great things and holy is his name.”
I felt the awesome responsibility rest on my shoulders and yet I was honored to be chosen as the one who would bring for God’s son.
Tax time came and we were ordered to Judaea unto the city of David. I was heavy with child. Joseph cared for me as I rode the long distance on a donkey. The narrow road was hard to travel on.
By the time we arrived into Bethlehem it was late and I was sore and tired.
Joseph tired to find us a place to lay; but there was no room in the inn’s.
Inn after Inn we were turned away.
Finally an Inn keeper had mercy on us and allowed us to stay in a stable.
Joseph apologized over and over for our meager accommodations.
Thankfully our place was private, for it was there that I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy.
He was perfect, full brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, tiny fingers and toes.
Though his birth place was less than appropriate, we witnessed the special way that God chose to proclaim His son’s birth. Shepherds’ arrived declaring that an angel had come upon them saying, “Fear not for behold I bring you glad 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.”
Their words only solidified the divine nature of my son. I already felt his greatness as I held him. Amazingly, I had just wrapped Jesus in what I had. And yet the angel knew of my doing. I loved knowing that God was watching over His son here on earth.
It was then I wanted to serve God to the best of my ability.
The values I had been taught to believe in, must be carried on to my wonderful son, so he too would learn them. I wanted him to know about the importance of faith, good works and integrity.
The joy I felt in my soul that night CANNOT be put into words. The love that swelled in my heart seemed to have doubled its size.
Joseph lovely cared for us both.
When the wise men found us after following the new star in the heavens, my confirmation that God would protect us was confirmed. Their offered gifts helped us keep hidden from King Herod, who wanted my precious son dead.
As I served my son, which was here to save mankind, my mind lacked the ability to fully comprehend this enormous task.
But then he called me “mother” and I knew that my own mother was right—Mary was important. I, Mary, was the mother of the Son of God. The Savior of the world!
I started out as a mere young woman, who was taught that I had individual worth. With this knowledge I grew up to fulfill the greatest calling that one could have— that of being a mother.
A mother that carries on the vital love that one must feel, the love that my loving Savior bestows upon all.
If there is one advice I could give, it would be to live worthy to fulfill any calling that comes to you from the Lord.
For all who love God are favored of Him.
We are all the handmaidens of the Lord.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Birthday Time
Yesterday before church Adam asks to open his one present under the tree from Grandma and Grandpa Vance. (see I haven't given in on placing more under the tree) We told him after church he could, since Monday is his birthday.
While the children were at church Gary and I zipped home, or should I say skidded. (There was a good amount of snow on the roads.) SO we could put out his presents--That way we wouldn't have to worry about it in the morning. Gary also made a bed for Riley and it was out in the big garage. We figured it would be easier to put it together and surprize them both. Well after we finished setting up, we skidded back to the church house. The second I walked in the door, Aubree sees me and says, "Riley's sick." I guess Riley threw-up a little in his mouth and started to cry, so the teacher takes him out of class to find me. She said I didn't answer her, she noticed he had something he was holding in his mouth. She took him to a trash can and he spit out what was in his mouth. (Thank heavens it wasn't all over the floor. My kids are doing well. Adam threw up on the bus the other day but he got it in the trash can. I'm all about easy clean-up.) Both episodes were fluke things. Adam's was because of his breathing treatment and eating too fast in the early hours of the morning. And Riley? who's to say. Once I got him home he didn't ever act sick. He did get a paper cut on his finger that he complained alot about but that was it. I kept him up stairs so he wouldn't see his new bed before he was suppose to. Once he saw Adam's new bike he thought that was cool. Amazingly he was home for about ten minutes before he saw it next to the Christmas tree.
I went back and got the family from church. When Adam saw his presents he got all excited. After that hype we told Riley he needed to go to bed since he wasn't feeling well. He didn't want to. We dragged him, telling him he should go lay down. It was fun when he finally saw the bed. He no longer has a heart, girly bed. Gary made a nice one out of Cherry and rod iron.
SO our present ripping has already begun.
While the children were at church Gary and I zipped home, or should I say skidded. (There was a good amount of snow on the roads.) SO we could put out his presents--That way we wouldn't have to worry about it in the morning. Gary also made a bed for Riley and it was out in the big garage. We figured it would be easier to put it together and surprize them both. Well after we finished setting up, we skidded back to the church house. The second I walked in the door, Aubree sees me and says, "Riley's sick." I guess Riley threw-up a little in his mouth and started to cry, so the teacher takes him out of class to find me. She said I didn't answer her, she noticed he had something he was holding in his mouth. She took him to a trash can and he spit out what was in his mouth. (Thank heavens it wasn't all over the floor. My kids are doing well. Adam threw up on the bus the other day but he got it in the trash can. I'm all about easy clean-up.) Both episodes were fluke things. Adam's was because of his breathing treatment and eating too fast in the early hours of the morning. And Riley? who's to say. Once I got him home he didn't ever act sick. He did get a paper cut on his finger that he complained alot about but that was it. I kept him up stairs so he wouldn't see his new bed before he was suppose to. Once he saw Adam's new bike he thought that was cool. Amazingly he was home for about ten minutes before he saw it next to the Christmas tree.
I went back and got the family from church. When Adam saw his presents he got all excited. After that hype we told Riley he needed to go to bed since he wasn't feeling well. He didn't want to. We dragged him, telling him he should go lay down. It was fun when he finally saw the bed. He no longer has a heart, girly bed. Gary made a nice one out of Cherry and rod iron.
SO our present ripping has already begun.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Christmas Time
I get so excited to set up my Christmas Trees. When we moved here we had to get a new tree (yeah) The old tree looked like a miniture in the living room with our tall ceilings. So we bought a 12 foot tree. Yes we have to get out the latter to set it up, but it looks so good. I personally would leave the lights on all month--day and night--if I could, their is just something about Christmas lights. Adam said before we set them up, "I love how they light up the room." A few years ago I had the strongest impression that Christmas lights remind us of our Savior in that He lights the way through the darkness. IT's His light that pierces through the darkest times.
This year I have decided to hold off placing the presents under the tree, last year we put them under the tree way too early, I think the kids figured out what everything was long before, or they unwrapped it at the corner. Already Adam is begging for me to put them under the tree. (most of them are wrapped already--impressive huh? Have to hide them somehow.) I told him I wasn't going to put them out until after his birthday. (one more week) But he has a way of breaking down my will, (begging) I think I will only put out half of what I have, just for fun. Now that I'm the parent I can do that. Thank heavens I was never the type that peeked!! I love secrets! HA
This year I have decided to hold off placing the presents under the tree, last year we put them under the tree way too early, I think the kids figured out what everything was long before, or they unwrapped it at the corner. Already Adam is begging for me to put them under the tree. (most of them are wrapped already--impressive huh? Have to hide them somehow.) I told him I wasn't going to put them out until after his birthday. (one more week) But he has a way of breaking down my will, (begging) I think I will only put out half of what I have, just for fun. Now that I'm the parent I can do that. Thank heavens I was never the type that peeked!! I love secrets! HA
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Creative?
The other day Adam found an ad with an item he wants for Christmas. The creative kid took about five copies of it, stapled it to colored paper and wrote, "great idea for Adam's gift." He placed it on the computer, on his daddy's pillow, on his mom's pillow, in the kitchen, and my favorite: inside the T.P. roll. After all this effort we can't help but get the item right??? Funny children.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Adam's Eagle Ceremony
There he is, we are so proud of him. There were five boys that got their Eagle. We had the ceremony in the old tabernacle in town. A few service men did a flag ceremony which was neat. Each fold had a meaning, it was very touching. Then each boy received a flag that was flown over the capital for them. On the table that Adam is standing next to are the gifts he received; the eagle that is carved was from Grandma and Grandpa Vance. It's a shelf that Grandma made herself. She did an excellent job. And Adam is so-o excited about it. Then the fleece blanket that has his Eagle date embroidered on it is from his parents. The photo of Christ with the colored child is a card that Liz Swindle painted, it's to remind Adam of the service project that he did. He helped collect items for an orphanage in Haiti. He also received some money. I believe he felt special and all those hours suddenly made it worth it.
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