Christmas Miracles

I'll be the first to admit I'm sort of a Holdiay Sourpuss. I have a few theories as to why, but those aren't important right now. What's important is to know that the last few years (especially) I really haven't enjoyed the holidays, but this year I recognized that inclination and earnestly tried to change it.

I firmly believe in daily miracles and our power to be angels on earth, so I tried to think of some over Christmas to help me recognize the Christ in Christmas in our home. Though MANY things went wrong, here are some of what went right (just to prove I fulfilled the experiment):

*My sister, her kids, and my brother all traveled here safely
*No one cried when we took all five grandkids to visit Santa
*I felt really inspired while giving a Christmas sacrament meeting talk
*Two friends got engaged
*There was another mixer available when Mom broke the first one making cookies (too bad some of the broken glass accidentally got cooked into a few cookies...)
*The right mouse button isn't stuck on the computer anymore (but now we have to use the mouse instead of the touchpad!)
*Drew really enjoyed our cookie decorating tradition (by eating the frosting off the knife)
*The kids had a lot of fun with the love log Mr. Wonderful brought over (by jumping on it until foam came out)
*Mr. Wonderful and I both gave each other gifts hand-made from materials that are important to us (We learned that I'm sentimental, and he's a true business nerd)
*I"M GOING TO WICKED!!!
*Thanks to modern-day technology we were able to video-conference my sister in from the comp to the TV to watch us open presents Christmas morning (no jokes, this one was seriously a miracle)
*Mr. Wonderful spent THREE WHOLE DAYS with me!!!!! (I think going to work every day is really over-rated)
*The Chinese buffet was open on Christmas night when our turkey didn't thaw and it was actuallly pretty good....
*I talked to a few of Mr. Wonderful's family over the phone for Christmas and met his brother and sister-in-law. They are AWESOME! (no jokes about this one, either)
* Older sis and I both felt pretty sick but got over it in 24 hours :)
*Mom bought Mr. Wonderful his own matching Christmas stocking and the whole family really embraced his being around for Christmas (I'm convinced a few of them like him more than me, actually)

Ok, ok... I'm done being sappy. Time for jokes! Here are some of my favorite quotes from this weekend:

"Um... guys.... the oven is on fire. What should I do?" --Mr. Wonderful

"He's creating."-- nephew

"What did you make the SC flag out of? A star? Give me a star." --older bro

"We're paying for his movie and his dinner. He can take the trash out!"-- older bro

"Are you going commando?"-- Mom
"I don't know, but I'm not wearing any underwear!" -- nephew

"We should be figure skaters." -- me

"I didn't cry when we saw Santa!!!!" -- niece

"Don't make cookies with glass in them and then lie about it." -- older Bro

"The turkey is still frozen. Now what?" -- Bro-in-law

"How do you say 'Sorry' in Chinese?"-- me
"I already said it three times. She says it's ok." -- Mr. Wonderful

"There's a little bag attached! Open the little bag!!" - Bro-in-law

"It's spelled Wassel but it's pronounced Wa-Sail." -- nephew

"I hope you guys aren't like this next year..." --mom to me and Mr. Wonderful
"What is she saying about us, Baby?" -- me
"There are too many things..." --Mom
"Air five!" -- friend

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Nothing's Impossible...

Personal confession time...

I am pretty bad at having daily scripture study. There. I said it. I LOVE the scriptures and have a testimony of their truthfulness and personal examples of their help, but I happen to be much more drawn to the guidance given through our modern-day leaders. Yes, I know that talks from General Authorities are considered modern-day scripture so technically it counts, but I can't help reaching for the General Conference Ensign over my quad when it's study time :(

This morning (study is so much more effective when you are awake, alert, and able to spend the rest of the day processing it, don't you think?) I, once again, reached for that Ensign. I flipped to a random talk I hadn't yet re-read and it was one by Jorge Zeballos, of the Seventy. I realized that some of my most memorable and favorite talks are from members of the Seventy. Is it because they have been waiting their whole lives to say that ONE THING? B-Dawg, my awesome sister, pointed out that they are often shorter, too, which makes every sentence packed with inspiration. But I digress...

The talk today was titled "Attempting the Impossible" and I found it so inspiration it warrants its own blog entry (for both of you who read it...)

It states that it feels impossible to follow the command to be perfect, but it is possible because Heavenly Father KNOWS and LOVES us.

1. KNOWS: Because he knows us He 'does not expect that we do what is waht we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect, as He is, encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves, to discover and develop the talents and attributes with which we are blessed by a loving Eternal Father, who invites us to realize OUR POTENTIAL AS CHILDREN OF GOD. He knows us; He knows of our capacities and our limitations.'


2. LOVES: Because he Loves us He will help us. "We are not alone. The most marvelous and powerful helps from which a human being may seek are ALWAYS available. First is the generous and loving hand of the Eternal Father, who desires that we return to His presence forever. As our Father, He is always willing and desireous to forgive our errors and weaknesses and the sins we may commit."

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know about you, but I'm relieved.

Inspiration and knowledge come to both our hearts and our heads, right? Well... the information in this talk was something I have heard before and understood in my HEAD, but reading today really touched my HEART. It is not impossible to achieve perfect. We simple have to try our BEST.

The Heavenly Father who created you knows what your BEST is. Don't try to fool Him.