Songs For The Season

So this year Christmas is going to be unique. I've never had one like it in the past and there never will be one like it in the future.

My life as I've known it up to this point has been a ball of crafty-creative-bits-of-thread-and-felt-mess. My fingers are ususally covered in some kind of ink or paint or tie-dye or pencil lead. When I think of talents that I want to share with other people it's my artistic side that I feel I can share best. Christmastime is when I'm feeling it most because there is nothing than I love more than to make gifts by hand for those I love.

A few days ago I was struggling because I've chosen not to focus on that for an entire year and a half.  There will be no long nights at the sewing machine to get all of the pieces thrown together and there will be no hidden handmade treasures stashed in a corner to hide from my family until Christmas morning. There are some small ways for me to express my right brained side, but not with the full devotion that I once had the time to do. What I am learning is how to develop other talents. My weak things are becoming strong.

I'm all about encouraging people to spend time on art, to learn a new craft, or to try out a new fascinating hobby. Right now though I'm all about developing my ability to open my mouth to testify of truth.  The gift that I want to give everyone this season is a chance to grow closer to the Savior.  My heart is in an imaginary box under a figurative tree for Christ this holiday season.

What's interesting is that as I've been writing this blog post the words I was planning didn't come out. Apparently my fingers know something that my brain hasn't quite figured out yet. I made this small playlist of Christmas songs that have been my favorites. I hope that as you listen to them and ponder the real meaning of Christmas you can decide to make this holiday more meaningful in your own family.

One of my absolute favorite Christmas songs is Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel by Brightwood and I couldn't find it to share on this playlist :( but that little link should take you to where you can hear it!

Giving Thanks Today!

I am a traditionalist.

Holidays are the most important thing to me ever.

But somehow it's Thanksgiving that gets completely abandoned. Thrown under a bus with no consideration from the Holiday Fairies. I've only been home once in November in the last 6 years. Even as a little kid I would trade off holidays with my Mom and Dad's families. It's Thanksgiving that has helped me to be adaptable and find family wherever I am. Here's a few clips from National Eating Day of years past:

In 2009 I went to help out the Christensen's in Boise with their holiday workload and we celebrated meatless style! (Ok, I cheated a little bit and made some chicken for myself). It was so much fun to work together on all of the dishes and to create fun memories together.

2006 was my first year in college and I had no idea what to expect for any of the holidays. All I knew was that I had no way to get home and my roommate Jaimee was awesome. We went to her parent's house in Eastern Idaho and worked off our meal in the most unique way we could think of. It was also my only experience in black friday shopping. Not something I would repeat.

 

Fall of 2008 I was fed up with just about everything and I went with my friends on a ride home. 16 hours in the car. Both ways. But it was worth it! My favorite Thanksgiving tradition that I DID get to do was making gumdrop turkeys with my Grandma and my little sisters.

 

2011 Is going to be a different story altogether. There will be no road trips home and no long distance phone calls with my family. But I do have family right here in Nashville. The members of the church here have embraced me and Sister Jasper with loving arms and welcomed us into their homes for the celebration. I'm excited for the many chances that I will have to share a message of gratitude for my Savior with these families. It's the gospel traditions in my life that are really the most imporant ones.

What are you grateful for this year?

Since I've been so long winded about everything else, here is a link to my list from last year!

Let Freedom Ring!



Ok, so it's about time I write about the 4th of July! Monday is p-day or preparation day for missionaries so we have time to do grocery shopping and laundry and hopefully play a little bit too! For the holiday we went up to Morgantown for the Catfish Festival and oh did we soak up that deep fried goodness!

I thought this piece looked kind of like a fish still, and Megan probably just thought I was crazy. Apparently deep fried is the only way to eat a catfish because they are mudsucking bottom feeders, not the most appetizing. (My teeth aren't really that yellow. I swear.)

That giant green cup Sister Turner is holding is the most delicious fresh made lemonade I've ever had in my entire life. They're called lemon shake-ups and I wish I could just drink it non stop! We've also got our hands full of...deep fried oreos!

So I think I've decided that Holidays are just an excuse to eat pretty much whatever you want without having to feel guilty about it. Sister Carmichael made this spectacular cake and we devoured it on Sunday night. Isn't she so talented??

Possibly one of the most exciting points in the day was on the drive and we took the exit towards Elizabethtown, KY. Have you seen the movie Elizabethtown? Love it. Only the city is outside of our mission boundaries so I'll have to go visit some day in the future!

As with every holiday it is important to remember why we're really celebrating, and not just for the food. Sister Warwood and I are serving in a unique part of the mission because we cover Fort Campbell army post and we can't proselyte the way we would anywhere else in the mission. We mostly meet with members of the church and get to know them so that they are comfortable with bringing their friends to us to be taught about Jesus Christ. What I have learned from these families is the importance of having pride in our homeland and the importance of protecting our rights.

Our church has a list of 13 things that we believe in and stand for that we call The Articles of Faith. The 12th one is this:

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

I think its a great reminder at this time of year to pray for those men and women that are fighting to protect our country and to be grateful that we are in a place that we may worship freely.

God Bless America! My Home Sweet Home!