Gifts...

Last year when I almost lost Kevin, Heavenly Father taught me how precious it is to have the time we've been given here in mortality. Life is a priceless gift from our Father in Heaven. That experience and the lessons through which Father has walked me, changed me forever.

As we've approached Christmas, my thoughts have turned to gifts – and no, not the ones wrapped in shiny paper, under the Christmas tree....I've been led (or inspired) to look for gifts in each day. I have a notepad on my desk where I've been jotting down gifts in my life as they've come to my mind. Some of those gifts include: the gift of new beginnings or “do-overs”, the gift of repentance, the gift of the Sacrament, the gift of consecration – or trying to be good like our Savior, the gift of the Nativity, the gift of family, the gift of grandchildren and getting to love them, the gift of a warm, cozy home on a cold winter day, the gift of a loving husband who “sees” me, and most of all, the gift of our beloved Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Finally, after noting down a list of gifts, the last is the one I settled on – the gift of a Savior.

Thinking of Jesus, I wondered about that moment in the Heavenly Counsel in the pre-mortal world when He stepped forward and said, “Here am I, send me.”. How much courage did that take – and how much love? What a gift He offered each of us in that moment!

From that moment and every day since, Jesus Christ has offered each of us the gift of a Savior – a chance to return to our Heavenly Father.

This is the “do-over” I spoke of. In this gift, we are given the gift of repentance. President Nelson spoke of the “joy of daily repentance”.

That's what I love about this gift of a Savior – from our Savior – we get to receive and use and be blessed by it over and over – every day.

Isn't that really the gift of Christmas? The gift of a Savior. As we accept His gift and use it to repent – to change and improve a little bit every day, we carry Christmas with us all year long.

That truly is the most precious gift of all!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas ponderings

The last few weeks have found me pondering the reasons we even have this “most wonderful time of the year”. I began thinking of the Nativity – the “Greatest Story Ever Told” - and in those moments, the participants in this story jumped into my thoughts.

I thought of Joseph. He who was chosen to be the earthly father for the Father's Only Begotten Son. He was so faithful and obedient. When the angel told him not to put Mary away, he didn't question or remind the angel about the whispers and gossip that must surely have surrounded their situation. No, Joseph simply “did as the angel...had bidden him”. I reflected on that long journey and the trying circumstances of traveling with his wife in what to him must have been a worrying situation. 

Then to FINALLY get where they were going, only to NOT be able to find any accommodations. He must have been SO concerned for Mary and the baby she was soon to deliver. I imagined Joseph going into that stable and looking at the animals and all the mess, dirt, and debris that come with them. I can imagine him looking to Heaven and saying “This??? This is where You want us to bring Your Son, our Messiah into the world???” But, as he had in response to the angel – Joseph did what was right and set about making the best of what they had to work with. I imagine him raking out the old straw and putting down fresh. I imagine him cleaning out that manger and lining it with fresh, clean hay, and clean soft bedding. Steady, faithful, loving, and obedient – that was Joseph.

I wonder at Mary...so young, but so valiant, faithful, and obedient. When presented with her divine mission to be the earthly mother of the Messiah, she asked one question. When given the answer, she humbly and meekly submitted to the will of the Father - “Be it unto me, according to thy word” tells us so much about who Mary was. 

I can't even imagine how hard that journey to Bethlehem was for a young woman who was 9 months pregnant. Then knowing the baby was coming right away, and not being able to find a place to stay... I can only imagine what must have been going through her mind and heart. But Mary trusted Joseph, and they both trusted the Father. Though humble and lowly, a place was provided “and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger...”

Then there was the angel appearing to the shepherds. Out in the dark, quiet, lonely countryside, those humble shepherds tended their flocks. 

That same Heavenly messenger appeared so he could “bring good tidings of great joy!” and gave them the good news!

I imagine that single messenger from Heaven would have given those shepherds something to marvel about if he'd been the only one to show up. But suddenly – SUDDENLY! A multitude of the heavenly host was with him. I imagine that heavenly host – maybe even some of us in our pre-mortal life – not being able to hold back their joy and singing glory to God and peace on earth!!! What a joyful noise!!! 

With their departure, those awe-struck shepherds went with “haste” and witnessed the baby – their Messiah – just as the angel had said. And seeing, believed and bore witness.

All these individuals were simply going about their lives. Lives that might never have intersected but for one thing. Heavenly Father had a plan, and they each had a part to play in that plan. A part of the Greatest Story Ever Told... The birth of a baby.

Not just any baby – their God – the Lord Jehovah, descended from His Heavenly throne to be born in a lowly stable – to be cradled in a feeding trough. Why? So He could save them – so He could save US! He, who was the greatest of all descended below all things. And He continues today. Because He meets us where we are and HOW we are. He comes to change the lowliest and most broken hearts. And heal the deepest and most devastating wounds.

I testify that as He did with the participants of the Nativity, Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. He has a path laid out before us that simply requires our obedient submission to His will. He will lead us and show us the way – just as He did all those years ago with a young girl, a carpenter, and some humble shepherds. I bear my witness that the Lord of Heaven came to earth to reach the lowliest and most broken; to lift them up to the greatest heights and bring them home to Celestial glory. All He requires is our broken and humble hearts, and our willing obedience. As we give those gifts to Him, we each become participants in “The Greatest Story Ever told”. I testify that Jesus Christ is the light and the life of this world. He lives and loves each of us – just as we are and where we are.

Merry Christmas with all our love and best wishes for a safe and blessed New Year!

Love,

Annette & Kevin 

Merry Christmas Eve!!

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...

The tree is alight and brimming with cheer...

...and while all these things make me smile, this is what fills my heart with peace in this Season of Joy!

The gift of His birth and mission on earth give me such joy and hope. Having all my kids home for Christmas Eve will be the best gift I receive... I know that because of the gift of His life and mission, we can be together forever.

May the wonder and awe of that first Christmas so long ago, bring to you and yours peace, hope, and good will towards all men.

Merry Christmas with love from all of us here at Happy Acres!

Annette, Kevin, Amanda & Chris, and Jackie & Jairen

We talk of Christ..

This past Sunday, our Bishop quoted a scripture that got me pondering this Christmas season and what it means to me.  It happens to be one of my favorites, (I have many...lol) and it is one that formed the foundation of how Kevin and I tried to raise our children.

2 Nephi 25:26 -

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 

To me, Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ. His birth heralded the beginning of the greatest gift mankind would ever receive. It is the most beautiful story I have ever heard. It has been the focal point of our Christmas celebrations since Kevin and I started our married life. Because it brings us such joy - as we rejoice in Christ - we have taught this story to our children. We did this so that they could know "to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 

Now our children are married and starting their own lives and traditions. I hope with all my heart that they take the things they learned here at home as we "talked of Christ" and use them to begin the foundation of a family that will be strong and steadfast in the Gospel. But also a family that will approach each Christmas Season with joy in their hearts as they too, "rejoice in Christ".

Today is Christmas Eve. Tonight, we will gather with family and friends. We will talk of Christ and His birth. We will tell, again, the beautiful story of the Nativity. We will soak-in the wonder, magic and majesty of that long-ago night in Bethlehem.  I think, as I look around me and see those I love most enjoying the sweetness of this precious time together; I will, as Mary of old, keep these things, and ponder them in my heart... 

From all of us here at "Happy Acres"...Merry Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." *Isaiah 9:6

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." *Luke 2:19

Christmas

So often this time of year, we hear the question, "What does Christmas mean to you?". Some people HATE Christmas. Although that completely baffles me, I understand that they have their reasons. Sometimes it's because they see the season as being too commercial. Perhaps they have unhappy memories. Maybe all they can see is what appears to them to be people going a little bit nuts and driving themselves crazy - rushing here and there trying to do ten million things at once and killing themselves trying to do EVERYTHING before Christmas.

I see all those things as well. In fact, I am sad to say; in the past - on occasion, I have even been one of those crazy people. Those were the times when I temporarily lost sight of what Christmas really means to me, and what's truly important about this "most wonderful time of year". Over the last few years I have made a concentrated effort to really focus on why Christmas is so special to me and why I love it so much.

This year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched an advertising campaign entitled "He is the Gift". It emphasizes the first gift of Christmas - the gift our loving Heavenly Father gave us - His Son. The video that accompanies this campaign is truly inspirational.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland said: "Remember that the first Christmas began with a little family – without toys, trees, or tinsel. With a baby – that's how Christmas began” For me, that's what all the decorations and trappings of Christmas remind me of - the gift of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The things we do that bring joy and love to our families and those around us remind me of the joy and love that were expressed on that first Christmas. All these good things - these happy things help me remember that because He was born and fulfilled His divine mission, I get to have those I love with me eternally. That is a gift beyond price, one I for which I will forever be grateful. And all because of that first and most precious gift given so freely and lovingly on that first Christmas so long ago.

May we all share THE gift as we enjoy this wonderful season by holding those we love closer to our hearts, by reaching out to those who might need a loving hand, and being just a little more kind and patient. Merry Christmas with love,

Netty