Last Friday, after the sun went down and all the Christmas lights
turned on in the house, Lottie and I sat at the dining room table
with some good music, a bowl of popcorn, and a cold Dr. Pepper.
While Lottie created and wrote an amazing book
(that was basically the story of Harry Potter but as dogs),
I signed, addressed, stuffed, and stamped
our 2019 Christmas cards.
Soon Clane came through the door after a Barre3 class
(with dinner, too...yay!), and we spent the rest of the evening
at the table talking and laughing (and I did a lot of listening).
Then we fell asleep in my bed together.
The next evening after the boys
got home from the campout, Christian and I sat in our
backyard hot tub and took turns telling each other about
our weekends. I heard all about the food the boys ate,
the games they played (paintballing), and who they
were with. Then I told him of our magical girls' night
and that it was possibly one of the happiest days of my life.
I was content, and life was colorful and happy.
When I think of Christmastime, I hope my mind reflects on moments
like that instead of the stress of shopping, other
silly details that ruin Christmas.
I SO loved the messages in last Sunday's Christmas devotional
and the personal stories and beautiful messages of Christ.
He is the light of the world.
He is peace and joy.
He is why we have life.
Christian and I have been talking about this family.
and how our hearts ache for them.
They have been and will continue to be in our prayers.
I can't imagine, and yet I can imagine the pain
and heartache family members are going through right now.
I also know how much prayer can heal broken hearts and bodies.
So we will pray.
Christmas Family Mini-Devotional
Day 10:
“Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony,
none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child,
condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father,
here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. …
“At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given,
let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life,
that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008)
