158: From the Bottom of my Heart

Aha:
First of all, thank you for your well wishes and prayers on my, and my family's behalf.  We are so happy for Grandma and Grandpa and are moving in the right direction in having our happiness for them overpower our grief.
My "aha" for today came all throughout the day.  I received many kind words from friends, a plane ride home to be with my family this weekend and a nice, relaxed evening with my husband (who was on call and very easily could have been kept at the hospital).  These kind and tender mercies are a testimony to me that the Lord knows who I am and what I need.  I am so thankful for Him!

Ha ha:
Last year we took Peter to Just Like Home Dog Hotel while we were away for Christmas.  The owners were great and Peter actually slept on the couch with one of them.  Too funny.  Anyway, while we were gone I received this picture in my email.  It warmed my little heart.  I came across it today and thought I'd share it with you.  Isn't he adorable?!

Day 157: Grandma Dearest

Aha:
I'm not really sure how to write this but, I lost someone very near and dear to my little heart yesterday--my Grandma Conklin.  She's been without my grandpa for six years and her body's been hurting for so long, so it's a good thing for her, but very sad for me.  I have been writing her weekly for over three years and now I don't know what to do with all of my stamps I have left.
As I was mourning all evening, I kept thinking how if it weren't for the love of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for all mankind, I wouldn't be able to see her again.  But fortunately for me, he DID come to this earth and loved us so much that I will see her again!
I will miss her like crazy but I am so happy that she is with my grandpa again and all of her other loved ones who've gone on before her.
I love you Grandma!  You are an amazing lady and I'll see you later.

Ha ha:
You may think this in poor-taste, however my grandma would think it hilarious.  In my last letter to her (Sunday) I included this joke.

Three men died and were taken by God to the top of a cliff. God said to them that since they had been such great outstanding citizens of Earth that they would be given one chance to become anything that they desired.

The first man ran to the edge of the cliff, jumped into the air and shouted, "I want to be an eagle." Instantly he was changed into an eagle and soared off into the sunset.

The second man ran to the edge of the cliff, jumped into the air and shouted, "I want to be an owl." Instantly he was changed into an owl and soared off into the sunset.

The third man ran towards the edge of the cliff, tripped on a rock, and shouted, "Oh crap ..." :)

Day 156: Deer Redeemer

Aha:
Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves.  ~Eric Sevareid

I came across this quote and thought it was great!  I don't know if it refers to being more charitable and kind or if it's specifically referring to Christ, but because those kind of go hand-in-hand I thought this would be great to share.  Not only is this quote a great reminder to be more selfless, it brought to my mind how Christ came to this earth for everyone besides himself.  He is the Son of God, yet he was born in the most humble of circumstances; He is our Advocate with the Father, yet he was mocked and hated; He is the Savior of Mankind, yet he was crucified for our sakes.  He lived a perfect, selfless life and He did it for everyone human who ever has or ever will live on this earth--that includes you and me!  I am so grateful for Him and for His willingness to put aside His own desires and drink the bitter cup on my behalf.
I think I can try a little harder to emulate His love for others this Christmas season, and can hopefully carry it through the rest of the year too.

Ha ha:
Clinton told me that on his way home from work he saw our neighbor's Great Dane on the sidewalk and thought it was a deer, so he slowed down.  I started laughing and he said, "What?  It was dark outside!"
 I thought it was hilarious!

Day 155: Lessons

Aha:
1.  My lesson went better than I could have hoped for.  It was based off of a talk given in the April 2011 General Conference by Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy, titled "The Lord's Richest Blessings".  The talk is about the blessings that come from paying our tithing.  This was a great topic for me, because if I have a testimony of anything, it's of tithing.  I had the opportunity to reflect on the blessings that have come into my life because of paying my tithing.  Here are just a very few:
Employment, money to buy what we need, peace of mind, increased faith, trust in the Lord that if I do what He asks I'll be blessed, a good-working car, generosity of others towards us, an ability to help others, food storage, testimony and the necessities of life.
My list could go on and on.
2.  Christmas moment:  When I came home from choir practice this afternoon, Clinton had already turned on our Christmas lights (I love coming home to our decorations all being on).  We have a string of stars in our front window and as I saw them gleaming, I couldn't help but think about the star that led the wise men to the baby Jesus.  I loved realizing that I had a symbol of that star in my window and that my little stars are showing others that I'm a believer!

Ha ha:
I sent out a mass email to some members of my ward inquiring if anyone wanted to participate in the Christmas Sacrament program in a couple weeks.  Moments after sending the text, I got a call from my sister's mother-in-law wanting to know what I was talking about.  I told her I must have sent it by mistake and apologized.  We laughed a moment and then she asked, "Who is this?"  This time I laughed.  I told her who I was and told her that even though I'd sent the request to her by mistake, it was still good if she'd like to travel cross-country to sing in our ward.  She declined.

Day 154: Reflections, Reminders and Reviews

Aha:
I set up our nativity today and lingered a little while on each character as I placed them "in there place" near the manger.  I thought a little about what my role would have been and figured I'd probably have been among the shepherds; drawn to the boy after the appearance of a heavenly angel and amazed at the meager circumstances in which He was born, poor to the things of the world, but rich in faith to follow Him.  I feel like I don't have much to offer, but I know He loves me and I would hope that, like the shepherds, I would sacrifice anything just to see Him.

Ha ha:
1.  I got a text from a friend of mine in the ward asking me to teach her lesson in Primary tomorrow.  It wasn't until she asked that I remembered I was supposed to teach in Relief Society tomorrow!  I have never been so happy to have someone ask me to sub before!  Phew!  Potential crisis averted!  Now, let's just hope and pray my lesson goes well!
2.  Clinton and I had free movie tickets so we went to see Hugo in 3D.  The movie was pretty long and didn't make much sense, but according to Clinton, the cinematography was great.  Anyway, as I was getting restless in my seat a little girl down the row from us "whispered" to her mom, "Is this almost over?"  It was hilarious because Clinton and I were thinking the same thing!

Day 153: What's in a Name?

Aha:
We began decorating for my FAVORITE holiday last night!  I LOVE Christmas!  It was so great to open up my ornaments and to enjoy the sweet memories that came with each one.  We've received some as gifts (one set was from our wedding), we given some to each other (including "Our First Christmas"), picked some out during our first Christmas and have acquired many more over the last 8 Christmases together.  I love that this time of year opens so many hearts to think more of mankind than themselves.  I love that I get to have reminders of Jesus all around me, all the time; whether it's a song on the radio, a nativity in a yard, or well wishes of "Merry Christmas!"
This is a wonderful time of year, and I'd like to make this Christmas more about Christ.  I'm going to try and list something each day that has either reminded me of Him, has helped me to feel closer to Him, or has increased my testimony of His divinity.  Feel free to leave your thoughts and hopefully we can each have a more meaningful Christmas together!

Ha ha:
For the last couple weeks Clinton noticed that one of the surgeons has been calling him "Clifton".  While they were observing the resident complete a stitch, the surgeon began to tell the resident to do a certain type of stitch but the resident had forgotten how to do it.  He turned to Clinton and said, "They forget so quickly, don't they Clifton?  How quickly they forget." All "Clifton" could do was nod his head and say, "Yes."  Ha!

Day 152: A Couple Things for Which I'm Thankful

Aha:
I'm thankful I remembered at 11pm that I have to get out the door by 9:30am tomorrow to get my mustache waxed (no, this unfortunately is NOT Clinton writing...).
I should clarify...it's not really that bad, I just would prefer there be nothing there at all.  :)

Ha ha:
If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying a Costco pumpkin pie, then I feel sad for you.  I was introduced to them today and ate more than what would probably be considered "socially-acceptable".  In fact, at 10:30pm I saw a piece sitting out and couldn't help but help myself to half of another piece.  I feel so ashamed...and yet, so satisfied at the same time.
I can't wait to do it all again tomorrow!!