what does your JOY look like today?

by Stephanie at homegrownhospitality

angels in blogland presented me with these 2 thoughts this morning... i like 'em.

Christmas *LIGHT*

1. christmas lights, 2. White Christmas, 3. .dreaming..., 4. Felt Gingerbread Biscuits // Star group, 5. Merry Christmas flickr!, 6. I *heart* Christmas, 7. Christmas Tree, 8. LDS Temple Salt Lake City, Utah, 9. Peace

Lastly... a lovely little quote from a prophet of God:

"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master....

"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees — alone or with loved ones — give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments" (Howard W. Hunter, "The Real Christmas," Ensign, Dec 2005, 22–25).

Still... still... still.  Sweet teachings of all that is good about Christmas - turning hearts to God.  Love that reminder!!

"A Merry Little Christmas" Book GIVEaway

I have a little GIVEaway going on over at Simply Fresh Designs. Nothing fancy like all the silhouette giveaways... but a sweet cheery book for someone to receive as happy mail.

Christmas Service Countdown

I love this idea I found on Sugar Doodle shared by Michelle Taylor. "Michelle writes, "I just created this sharing time using the poem from the December 1990 Friend Magazine by Laurel Rohlfing."

You can get the pdf or .jpg download on sugar doodle.

This also reminds me of the 29 Gifts Book. Even kids can give "Service" gifts in little ways.

A Cheerful Heart

I saw this cute little quote at Kneaders and wanted to recreate it to remind myself to let others (especially in my family) see the cheer that is in my heart. Every day I remind myself (multiple times!!!) to be kind and of good cheer. But especially at this season, my heart is full of gratitude and love for my family and the blessings the Lord gives me. Every day is not easy or sprightly. But every day I see at least a little good that surrounds me.

During the month of November I wrote a nightly gratitude list... my Gratitude Journey. I knew it would uplift my life... and it did. It was a hope filled journey for me... that I want to continue.

Happy December!

Christmas Tree : Lights, Memories, Traditions

As is our family tradition, we put up our Christmas tree today (the day after Thanksgiving). The kids enjoyed themselves. We listened to Jimmy's Mannheim Steamroller cd as background music. The kids selected a nice random variety of ornaments... some fancy... some homemade... some school projects by the tots. They like them all. As for our tree, a friend gave us a hand-me-down 8 or 9 years ago. It has probably seen better days.

But tonight as we were reading a Christmas story by the tree (well... while Tru was undecorating the tree - rather), I was thinking about how it just doesn't matter to kids what the tree looks like. They love the LIGHTS and the MEMORIES and the TRADITIONS.

My dad altered the words to a familiar Christmas tune... "Oh, Christmas Tree". Growing up, we decorated our tree with felt ornaments to go along with the symbols:

Oh, Christmas Tree

Oh, Christmas Tree

You represent Eternity.

The Bell is JOY

The Heart is LOVE

The Dove is PEACE from God above.

The Star reminds us of His birth

The night CHRIST came to dwell on earth.

May we remember sacredly, the meaning of our Christmas tree.

I've tried to continue these symbols in decorating my tree because I love the tradition and meaning.

"Christmas is a time of lights. We light our homes and trees, our streets, and our store windows. Processions of singing families carrying torches wind their way through the snowy Alps of Austria as they go to attend church at Christmastime. On that first Christmas night lights appeared in the heavens, especially one bright star that shone down on the manger where the Baby Jesus lay. Far away in the “new world” bright lights were also seen in the heavens.

"... At this special time of year may you feel the JOY of Christmas, remembering Jesus as you see the LIGHTs of Christmas." First Presidency - December 1972

Grateful Heart

1. Thanksgiving, 2. CORN!, 3. Mississippi Thanksgiving Colors, 4. Tempting Pumpkin Pie Recipe, 5. Happy Thanksgiving!, 6. Autumn decoration, 7. warm wooly socks., 8. Plenty Thankful, 9. Happy Thanksgiving

I love each of these quotes I found throughout November... each shares a great message!

"It has been by observation ... that when I focus on what I don’t have, I tend to become increasingly self-centered, selfish, and crabby . . . [But we can] find true happiness in cultivating humble, grateful hearts."
…Mary Ellen Edmunds


“Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love...We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to BRIGHTEN all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more JOYFUL, more likable....The absence of gratitude makes a person miserable.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Sept. 2001


“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19.)


‎"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." - W. T. Purkiser


"When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” Gordon B. Hinckley

So Much by DudaDaze

LDS Primary Theme 2011 Cards Freebie

This week's Freebie on simplyfreshdesigns is LDS Primary Theme 2011 Cards.

im · per · a · tive

I liked this Definition of IMPERATIVE:
1:
a : relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another
b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation
c : having power to restrain, control, and direct

2 : not to be avoided or evaded : necessary

Today we're focusing on definition part 2... in relation to ... exercise.

I decided TODAY that it's not merely desired or optional anymore... but EXERCISE is now IMPERATIVE ... essential for my health. There are too many factors needing major attention here. Cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, stress-level, emotional health. It hasn't been able to be a priority because of life with 4 tots... but I've decided that has to ch-ch-ch-change!

So - really - the only option in my present life is a.m. exercise . . .  6 a.m. to be precise. I should be able to handle 20 minutes a morning - right?  The ONE morning I did it, my soul sang with JOY... I loved the morning silence before tots woke.  I felt the JOY in accomplishing.  But... oh, how many times I've set an exercise plan only to have it foiled by pregnancy, sickness, or plain ol' mama-exhaustion.  So - I'll plug along and do my best and not get discouraged when other top priorities are given full attention.

Here's to a healthier life!

Gratitude Journey

I've loved doing daily gratitudes in November's past... so here we are again in November contemplating blessings.

I kindof agree with Anne here:

"Thanksgiving should be celebrated in the spring. I think it would be ever so much better than having it in November when everything is dead or asleep. Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can't help being thankful ... that they are alive, if for nothing else." Anne of Avonlea

But then again... that's probably why Thanksgiving falls in a wintery month... because Heavenly Father knew gratitude would keep us going.

I've decided that this month living in Thanksgiving daily is going to be a journey... climbing higher, being lifted, looking upward ... Gratitude does that for the soul.

"Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. We should regularly express our gratitude to God for the blessings He gives us and to others for the kind acts they do for us." [lds.org - Gospel Topics]