I love my Mama so very much

I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them. I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself.

I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for.
I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said,
"Are you sure I don't have enough money"
She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have enough money for it." The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes.

And then she left the aisle.
The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, "It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it."
I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said
"No, Santa can't go where my sister is...I have to give the doll to my Mamma to take to her."
I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said
"She has gone to be with Jesus."
My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go be with her. My heart nearly stopped beating.

Then the boy looked at me again and said,
"I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store."
Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to.
He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said
"I want my Mamma to take this with her so she don't ever forget me. I love my Mama so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me. But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister."
I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy,

"Shall we count that money one more time?"
He grew excited and said. "Yes, I just know it has to be enough"
So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said,
"Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money."

Then the boy said
"I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister. And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn't ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama. She loves white roses so very, very much."

In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on whether to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story. Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store.

I left there in tears, my life changed forever.
The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.

Love was the gift God gave

Santa’s Favorite Story

by Hisako Aoki

One cold day in December a fox was walking in the forest.  As he looked at the snowy trees, he remembered that it would soon be Christmas.  Then he heard something.  He sniffed the air and looked around.

There fast asleep against a tree, was Santa Claus!  He was snoring.  “Oh my goodness!’ thought the fox, “Santa Claus has come early this year.  I’d better go and tell everyone he’s here.” 

So he hurried off to tell all the other animals that lived in the forest.

When they heard the news, the animals hopped and ran and scampered and flew to the tree.  A squirrel chattered excitedly, and Santa Claus slowly stretched, yawned,

and then opened his eyes to see the faces of a dozen little creatures.

“Why are you here?” they asked him.

“Is Christmas going to be early this year?” asked the fox.

“I’m sorry if I’ve worried you, my friends,” said Santa.  “I went for a long hike this morning to get in shape for Christmas Eve, but I guess I walked until I got too tired. 

Maybe all those heavy presents will be too much for me to deliver this year.”

The animals looked alarmed.

“Does that mean there won’t be a Christmas anymore?” asked the fox.

“No, no, no,” said Santa in a kindly voice, “Christmas hasn’t got anything to do with me.  Sit down and I’ll tell you all the story of the first Christmas.”

“It happened long, long ago in a faraway place called Bethlehem.  Some shepherds were watching over their sheep in the fields outside the town.  It was very quiet and still.” “Suddenly a beautiful bright star appeared in the sky.  The shepherds heard a voice saying, ‘Do not be afraid.  I have good news for you all.  Today in the town of Bethlehem, the Christ Child has been born.  God has sent His Son to show what God’s love is like.  Follow the star to his stable.’”

“The shepherds followed the star over hills and through valleys, across bridges and past little villages.”

“All the while the star shone brighter and brighter until at last it stopped above a small stable.  The shepherds and their sheep stopped too, for there in the stable was a baby, lying in the manger. 

 The shepherds knew that this was the Son of God, and they knelt down and prayed.”

“And that is what happened in Bethlehem when the Christ child came.  It’s my favorite story because it reminds me why we are so happy at this time of year.  Love was the gift God gave to us on the first Christmas, and it still is, you know.  And this love is far better than any presents I can ever deliver.”  Santa Claus put his hands in his pockets and looked slowly around the circle of animals with a kind and happy smile upon his face.

“How silly we have been,” said the fox, “to think that Christmas was only about presents.”

“So now you know!” said Santa.  “But come on you’re right that it’s almost Christmas.  Let’s go back to my place and get things ready.”  All the animals followed as Santa Claus ran off toward his house.  He didn’t even look tired any more, because he had remembered how much fun his work was going to be.

The animals stayed at Santa’s house until Christmas Day, and helped him every way they could.  Of course, the reindeer helped by going out with him to deliver the presents the night before.  After a fine Christmas dinner, Santa gave every animal a present.  And as they sat around the fireplace later in the day, they all asked to hear Santa’s favorite story again.  It was a very special Christmas Day for everyone.

Santa was sure that he had the nicest time of all, though,

because he remembered that the best present ever is Christmas itself.

The gift of life eternal

Angels

by Sally Meyer It didn't begin in a stable and not in Bethlehem.

It started with an angel in Mary's native land.

'Twas in a town called Nazareth Gabriel came to the virgin fair.

Saying, "Blessed art thou among women," Our Father's Son you'll bear.

Then the angel visited the carpenter who Mary intended to wed.

He came to Joseph in a dream as he lay upon his bed.

"Fear not thou son of David," to take Mary for your wife.

The child of God will need you to tend him in this life.

The big day came, Jesus was born In a manger on a pad of hay.

The angels sang to herald the King on the very first Christmas day.

Then off to spread the happy news to shepherds attending their lambs.

The angel chimed, "Glad tidings I bring" and goodwill to all the land.

The frightened shepherds found comfort in the angelic heavenly chorus.

They sang of peace and joy and a babe who would someday come before us.

Herod sent his wisest men to find the infant King.

So off from the east they followed the star, and precious gifts did bring.

As they departed, an angel told of Herod's wicked plan.

He didn't want to worship the child, but destroy the Son of Man.

Joseph heeded the angel's words, and to Egypt they did flee.

Then listened again when Herod died, and returned to Galilee.

Many years before Christ's birth another prophet was told.

An angel talked to Samuel, a Lamanite of old.

Who were these herald angels chosen by God above?

What valiant servants they must have been to bring us his message of love. “For a few moments, may we set aside the catalogs of Christmas, with their gifts of exotic description. Let’s even turn from the flowers for Mother, the special tie for Father, the cute doll, the train that whistles, the long-awaited bicycle…and direct our thoughts to those God-given gifts that endure. I have chosen from a long list just four:  1. The gift of birth.  2. The gift of peace.  3. The gift of love.  4. The gift of life eternal.” Thomas S. Monson Peace can come to both the giver and the receiver as we follow the promptings of the Spirit to serve one another.” Barbara W. Winder “Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have or have lost. The Lord promised the obedient to share all that He possesses with them. You may temporarily lack here, but in the next life, if you prove yourself worthy by living valiantly, a fulness will be your blessing.” Richard G. Scott “…nothing penetrates the human heart as does a personal, fervent prayer and its heaven-sent response.” Thomas S. Monson “Not many years hence, Christ will come again. He will come in power and might as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And ultimately every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.” Ezra Taft Benson

"Come Follow Me," was His only plea

'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Debra Coe

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

With thoughts of St. Nicholas and what he'd bring there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

Without a moment of bowing their heads.

The scriptures were thrown on the shelves without care.

Little hope of remembering the precious words there.

And I with the tinsel and Ma with the lights

Had prepared for Christmas with no thoughts of Christ.

We had snowmen and elves and of course Santa Claus.

We thought we had decorated without any flaws.

For weeks we'd prepared with lots of traditions,

Cards of course and so much work in the kitchen.

We'd been to parties galore all dressed up in frills

And spent hours at stores to get the best deals.

The lights on the house were all flashing with fun

Lots of presents under the tree; we thought we were done.

We thought not of the needy, nor help to a stranger,

We thought not of the poor, and not of a manger.

No angels were singing in our house that night

We hadn't invited them so none were in sight.

The real spirit of Christmas was absent as well.

For only Christ's spirit will make our hearts swell.

And I wondered that Christmas how it could be

That the Christmas spirit wasn't stronger in me

Why Christmas didn't seem as it was in the past

Why Christmas just came and went by very fast.

When out of my wondering mind did appear.

Some scriptures I'd learned as a child so dear.

Of a loving kind Father who gave His own Son

God saw all our needs and chose Christ as the one.

Christ has the power to serve us so well

Healing the things that can lead to spiritual jail

I could change if I wanted with eyes that could see

"Come Follow Me," was His only plea.

I decided to change and begged forgiveness please

And asked how to serve Him while down on my knees

Serve others and do it as if unto Him

Was the answer I heard in the sound of a hymn

I rushed from my bed and I got scriptures for all.

So we could start Christmas just right after all.

So Christmas day we planned for the months yet to come

Of people we'd serve and we talked of the fun

Now Angels are singing in our home today

We finally invited them to come our way.

And Christmas is lasting the whole long year through,

With scriptures, prayer and devotion His spirit grew.

Ready for Him

READY FOR CHRISTMAS

Author Unknown

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,

As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.

Then wearily sat for a moment and read

Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.

Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream!

"Ready for Christmas!  What do you Mean?

When only last week

You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street."

"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge!

Perhaps you better let God be the judge.

Why, how can the Christ child come and abide

In a heart that is selfish and filled with pride?"

"Ready for Christmas, when only today

A beggar lad came and you turned him away

Without even a smile to show that you cared!

So little he asked, he could have been spared."

"Ready for Christmas! You've worked, it is true,

But just doing the things that you wanted to do."

"Ready for Christmas, your circle's too small.

Why, you are not ready for Christmas at all."

She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair.

"There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!

Oh, Father, forgive me, I see what you mean;

To be ready means more than a house swept clean."

"Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree,

It's the heart swept clean that he wants to see,

A heart that is free from bitterness, sin,

Ready for Christmas means ready for Him!" “It is my prayer that the Spirit will bless us this Christmas and in the years to come with the power to offer other gifts of love and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. I know that the Spirit can lead each of us in many and simple ways to give love, faith, and joy to others at this season of rejoicing.”   Henry B. Eyring

The Joy of a Child

Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in my life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. "Guess what Mom," he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me:

"I've been chosen to clap and cheer."

When someone else’s Happiness is your Happiness, that is Love

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different color hair than the other family members.

One child suggested that maybe he was adopted.

A little girl named Jocelynn Jay said, "I know all about adoptions because I was adopted."

"What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child. "It means that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy." said Jocelynn.

Author Unknown

When an ice cream sundae cost much less than now, a young boy entered a coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied intently number of coins in his palm.
"How much is a dish of plain ice cream?" he inquired.

People were now waiting for a table, and the waitress was impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she said angrily. The little boy again counted the coins in his hand. "I'll have the plain ice cream."

The waitress brought the ice cream and walked away. The boy ate his ice cream, paid the cashier, and departed. When the waitress came back, she swallowed hard at what she saw. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies her tip.

Author Unknown

As I was driving home from work one day, I stopped to watch a local little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-baseline, I asked one of the boys what the score was. "We're behind 14 to nothing," he answered with a smile. "Really," I said. "I have to say you don't look very discouraged." "Discouraged," the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face,

"why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet."

“Often the greatest lifts we receive come from within the ranks of our families. Sometimes the hands needed most are those closest to us. Often the hands closest to us are the strongest…God has decreed family members are to help family members. God has decreed family members are to be a blessing to family members. When some of us in a discouraged frame of mind identify a family member as not worth a hand or a lift, may I remind us that when we continue to lift, regardless of the apparent results, added strength is ours.

The more we lift, the more we are able to lift.”

Marvin J. Ashton

A Childs Love

Jake was a resident of an orphan’s home, one of ten children supported by what contributions the home could secure on a continuous struggle.  There was very little to eat, but at Christmas there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, and the home seemed a little warmer.  It was a time for more than usual enjoyment, but more than this, there was the orange.  At Christmas time, each child received an orange; the only time of year that such a rare item was provided… and it was coveted by each child like no other thing they ever possessed.  They would save it for several days, admiring it, feeling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment when they would eat it.  Truly, it was a “piece de resistance” to the Christmas tide, and the year, for many would wait until New Year’s Day or later to eat it.

This Christmas day, Jake had offended the rules of authority at the home in some manner and his punishment was loss of the orange privilege.  After a year of waiting for this rare occasion, and this most desired of all rewards, it was to be denied.  The plaintiff’s pleading was to no avail.  Although the offense was rather minor, still it was an infraction of such rules that must govern in regulated society.  Jake spent Christmas day empty and alone… it even seemed the other children didn’t want to associate with a person who didn’t have an orange.

Night time arrived and this was the worst time of all for Jake; he could not sleep.  There could be no God that would permit a contrite little soul to suffer so much by himself.  Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind, and perhaps the world, but mostly because he didn’t have an orange like the other kids had.

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder startled him momentarily and an object was quickly shoved into his hands.  The donor disappeared into the dark of the room, leaving Jake with what he did not immediately identify as an orange.  Not a regular run-of-the-orange, but one fabricated from segments of nine other oranges.  Nine other highly prized oranges that would, of necessity, be eaten this day instead of several days hence.

May we all share a part of ourselves this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warm Skillet Bread with Artichoke Spinach Dip

Warm Skillet Bread with Artichoke Spinach Dip

Ingredients

• Bread Dough: (or use one loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed)
• 2 3/4 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp. active dry or instant yeast
• 1 tsp. fine salt
• 1 cup milk, warmed but not hot
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil or melted butter
• Artichoke Spinach Dip:
• 4 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach (or 1/2 of a 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed, drained)
• 170 ml jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped (can also use regular canned artichokes, about 2/3 cup chopped)
• 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature (1/2 a typical brick)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. Sriracha sauce (or any "hot sauce" you like)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded + more for topping
• Salt and pepper
• To serve:
• 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded
• Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. For making bread dough: (If using pre-made dough, skip ahead to make the dip and then Cutting/shaping dough below)
2. Add two cups of the flour to a large bowl of the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a kneading hook. Add salt and combine. Warm milk to lukewarm. Stir in yeast and let stand a few minutes. Add yeast mixture to bowl, along with the vegetable oil or melted butter. Mix and add additional flour in 1/4 cup increments until a smooth dough forms. Knead until smooth. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Make Dip: Meanwhile, place fresh spinach in a bowl with 1 Tbsp. of water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from microwave, leave covered and let stand 15 minutes to cool. Drain spinach well and add to a medium bowl.
4. Add the remaining dip ingredients and mix until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
5. Cutting/shaping dough: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured cutting board. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into 16 equal pieces. (I cut in half, then each piece in half, then repeat cutting each piece into equal parts until I have 16 pieces). Shape each piece into a ball by pinching the edges together underneath.
6. Generously butter an 8-inch cast-iron skillet. Find a bowl that is about 5 1/2-inches across the top, spray the outside with cooking spray and place it, top side down, in the center of the skillet. (*If you can't find a bowl, take a sheet of tin foil and shape it into a tight circle about 5 1/2-inches around and 1 inch high and place it in the centre. Spray it with cooking spray.
7. Arrange the dough balls around the outside of the skillet, pushing them together as needed until they all fit. Brush dough balls generously with melted butter. Cover the skillet with plastic wrap and let rise until puffy, about 30 minutes.
8. Pre-heat oven to 375° F. with rack in center of oven. Remove bowl from center of skillet. Spoon prepared dip into the center space, pushing it right up to the edge of the dough. Sprinkle top of dip with additional mozzarella/Parmesan. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 30 minutes, until rolls are golden and sound hollow when tapped and the dip is bubbly.
9. Remove from oven. Raise oven rack to the top third and switch oven to broil. Sprinkle the rolls with additional mozzarella cheese and return skillet to oven under the broiler, until the cheese and dip is browned.
10. Let skillet stand at least 5-10 minutes, or until just warm (not hot). Add a bit of freshly ground pepper on top, if you like. Do watch the hot skillet handle and wrap in a towel if it is still to hot to hold. Serve with a dip "knife" and let everyone serve themselves.

Mary did you know

I love this song! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE 

"...For unto us a son is Given."

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know

that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know

that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. 

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak

The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know

that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Follow His Footsteps to Celebrate His Birth

"If the Savior were among us today, we would find Him where He always was ministering to the meek, the downcast, the humble, the distressed, and the poor in spirit. During this Christmas season and always, may we give to Him by loving as He loves."

 Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Know this, that ev'ry soul is free To choose his life and what he'll be; For this eternal truth is giv'n: That God will force no man to heav'n. He'll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind."

With the pure love of Christ, let us walk in His footsteps as we approach the season celebrating His birth. As we do so, let us remember that He still lives and continues to be the Light of the World, who promised, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  
Thomas S. Monson

Christmas Continues Sacred

Times change, Years speed by, but Christmas continues sacred.

"This Christmas season and always, 

 we give to Him by loving as He loves." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days". "Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation… cometh the blessing". 

"For most of us… what is required is not to die for Christ but to live for Him. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one's life. But the cross is not as heavy as it appears to be. Through obedience we acquire much greater strength to carry it." 

James E. Faust

Grace, the divine gift of the Atonement, is a healing balm readily available to relieve our pain, a nourishing manna to assuage the hungers of our daily lives.  In the arithmetic of the universe, how may grief, regret or disappointment be accounted for when repentance does not apply or restitution is not possible?  Only God's grace can balance the account. 

Elaine Shaw Sorenson

Maybe the greater blessing for us is to have to walk 

through it with Him.

 D. Todd Christofferson