Yesterday's Talk

I spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday. I only had 5 minutes, so I typed what I wanted to say so I stayed within my time. I thought some of you would enjoy reading it. It takes about 5 minutes :).

Some names heard in our house are: Monsy, Mister, Dee-dah, Deets, The Great Big Handsome Guy, Millie, Mils, Millie May Miss, Millie Bop, The Cute, The Little Sweet, Tafty, Taftster, Rafty, Goose, T-Bob, T-Bob Slim Pants, The Flying Geeko, The Big Handsome, Hunty, Sunny Boy, Slugger, Bob, Sarah Kathryn, Sarah Kate, Schnips, The One-eyed Watcher, Kate-Bug, Bug. All of these names remind Jeff and I of a particular child and a time in their lives or a habit they used to do or just a fun name that brings a smile to our faces.

Meaning no disrespect, I thought about the many names that the scriptures or we, ourselves, refer to Christ.

Names, titles, and concepts of Jesus in the scriptures:

Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Stem of Jesse, Branch, Righteousness, Messenger, Redeemer, Holy One, Blessed of God, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of the Highest, Lamb of God, Savior, the Word, the bread of Life, the living bread, the light of the world, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, the true vine, the Holy One and the Just, the Prince of Life, by whom are all things, and we by him, the spiritual rock, captain of man’s salvation, who gave himself for our sins, bare our sins in his own body, the head of the Church, the hope of glory, the mediator between God and men, in whom is salvation, Advocate, Holy One of Israel, Immanuel, Messiah, Jehovah.

I love the name the Prince of Peace. I love the thought of peace and love it sung in "For Unto Us a Child is Born" in Handel’s Messiah.

The title makes me think of peace in our minds, hearts, homes, families, schools, nations, and world. Peace during sickness and other physical hardships. Peace during afflictions and adversity. Peace by repentance and choosing a new path.

By following the example of Christ we can receive peace.

The knowledge of resurrection, made possible by Christ, can bring us peace.

The knowledge of Christ and His suffering and resurrection in my behalf bring much peace to my mind and my heart. I find much peace knowing I can repent and forgive because of Christ. I find peace in the resurrection knowing that some of my loved ones who suffer so much with their physical body will be restored to a perfected, painfree body after the resurrection. These and many other reasons make me forever happy for that babe born in a manger.

In December of 2005, I read "Shepherds, Why This Jubilee?" written by Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I highly recommend this book. It’s only 76 pages long. The message of the book touched my heart after a year of loss in my own life and the lives of my family.

Many of us have experienced a Christmas after a death of a loved one or a Christmas with many challenges or maybe every Christmas is tough. Elder Holland so beautifully and briefly addresses these in his book. I would just like to share a sum up of the book in Elder Holland’s words that was really so comforting to me then and today.

**Christmas is a time of comfort, whatever our circumstances may be....life will have its valleys and peaks, its moments for the fall and rising in the lives of all of God’s children. (There) are sad experiences, with difficult moments for years and years to come. But because of the birth in Bethlehem and what it led to they are not tragic experiences. They have a happy ending. There is a rising after the falling. There is life always. New births and rebirths and resurrection to eternal life. It is the joy of the stable forever. Jesus has one answer for us all–one answer to all the "whys" and "what ifs," all the "would haves" and "could haves" and "should haves" of our journey.**

The answer to all that is: John 11:25, 26.

I know that Jesus was born. I know that really happened. Not just a story that we tell because it’s a good story, but it really happened. I know Joseph Smith restored the work that Jesus started and that President Hinckley is now continuing that work. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Music

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the music. Kate, Hunter, and I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Broadcast and Concert. This was amazing. The First Presidency attended and the whole experience was amazing. The Choir sounded beautiful and The King's Singers were awesome. We had a great time. At the end of the concert, the First Presidency presented The King's Singers with their complete geneology and then The King's Singers sang "Danny Boy" to President Hinckley to thank him for their experience performing with the choir--that was tear jerker. Just a fantastic morning of beautiful Christmas music. I'm looking forward to Kate's Christmas Concert on Saturday.

My Very Own Personal Tornado

In case you can't tell, this is a photo of Mons in the DRYER. He likes climbing in while I'm folding clothes and handing me more items to fold. He is a tornado. I gave birth to a tornado. I thought my other nippers were busy, but this guy wins the prize. He has discovered that a chair will allow him to get to ANY kitchen drawer. The other kids were satisfied with emptying drawers and cupboards that they could get from the ground. Not Monson. Yes, the chairs have opened a whole new world to him. I love the trick where he pushes the chair to the fridge and pushes the water dispenser button until there is a very large puddle of water on the floor. I'd lock the dispenser, but apparently I have a ghetto fridge. Anyway, whenever I tire of keeping him from the chairs and the possibilities they provide, I move all 7 kitchen chairs in the laundry room and close the door. That should be good until he starts opening doors by himself. Or can ask an older sibling to do it for him.

Millie's thoughts on snow

This weekend Mother Nature dumped a whole lot of snow on us. While driving to church, Millie loved the snow and exclaimed, "Now we're dashing through the snow!" She is loving the whole Christmas experience--lights, movies, music, ornaments, blow-up yard decorations, Santa, and presents. I just love her absolute joy and enthusiasm for life. Just don't any of you offend her or she will threaten to take away your Christmas. I have heard this threat myself a couple of times already!!

The Birthday Girl

Hey, any of you recognize this girl? It's me, Amy, a LONG time ago and today I'm celebrating my birthday. I'm hoping one of my brothers (who shall rename nameless) loves me enough to send me a scanner for my birthday!! Hee-heeee!! Oh...and I apologize for being such a bad blogger. Blogging is like SO many other things in my life...cyclical!! I'll be better...to avoid the mocking. Was there a month of November...I'm pretty sure it was just Halloween.