Christmas Again--2016

I honestly don't know how it happens so fast. When I was small, it seemed like it took forever for Christmas to come around. Since, I have shrunk my actual mailing of Christmas cards significantly. Here are highlights for my digital friends.

Liam's baby blessing. I asked myself WHERE IS BRET? He had to go back to his meetings at church.

Emily's Disney trip

We got ALMOST everyone in these 2 pictures. Less Joseph and Mallory. That's because we did not take one entire group photo this year, except at Olivia's birthday party and it was not a great one.

 We'll start with the oldest AT HOME.

Emily. Emily graduated from high school this year, got a scholarship to the local college, earned a trip to Disneyland by helping her team win state basketball, started college, and turned 19. She was so much fun to follow around last year, and now even though she still lives with us, she's making new adventures.

 the only senior, accepting the trophy for her team

Noah. Noah has been home schooling this year. He will be entering an online charter school starting January. In hopes to return to school his senior year. We'll see. He started a dual credit Graphic Arts degree at our local Jr College and is learning some really cool stuff. He's going to be looking for a job. He loves his friends. He played tennis this year and he turnred 16! Driving. He's one tall drink of water and it's tough finding him skinny jeans. I don't mean the skinny style either.

Olivia. Well, she's a teen now too. 13. She is finishing 8th grade at home and we are deciding on whether she will stay home for high school or go back to school. To be continued. She's a pretty delightful girl. She is beginning to earn money from her artwork and we can now say she is internationally recognized, as one of her paintings hangs in a home in Kenya. :-) We love watching her talent grow. She says she wants to paint the murals in the temples. She's currently practicing with club volleyball to see how she likes it. She's really helpful in the kitchen and always has a smile to share.

Jefferson. (Elder Norton). The excitement is growing in our house. We're just rounding down and saying he'll be home in 4 months. He'll return the first of May. We get to talk to him tomorrow. He's currently serving in Lawton and really loves working with the soldiers on Ft Sill. Lots of similarities to his older brother Chris' mission. He has learned to be happy in any situation. He loves his mission.

AnDREW and Liz. Drew is doing well in insurance and is his ward mission leader. Elizabeth is a stay at home mom, serves in YW, had her second sweet baby this year (Liam Howard), and just started as a fashion consultant for Junie Blake. You can see her modest dresses here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShopJUNIEblakewithLiz/ Charity is a growing, BUSY nearly three year old. And little Liam is almost 5 months. We love being grandparents.

Chris and Anica. Chris has had a good year with Solar City. Anica graduated with her Master's Degree in Business from ASU. She is now working for a social media marketing company as an Executive Assistant. They just moved to a new apartment. They've been blessed to take some wonderful trips this year. An extended one to Europe, Hawaii, and other short ones.


With Ruby.

 In Greece

 Because I love the look on his face!

Joseph and Mallory. These two are living in the freeze zone in Idaho attending BYU. I was able to go up briefly and visit earlier this year and spend some time with one of my old besties too. They both work lots of hours and go to school too. We enjoyed having them visit in August. It's going to be so long waiting for them to finish and not having them nearby. Joseph is studying Clothing Construction and Design. Mallory is in business.

 Why yes he has made his own gun.

Then there's just us doing our own thing. He doesn't like me to say it, but Bret is dad and husband extraordinaire. Not because he earns a ton of money, or has taken me to exotic places, but because he lives his life in such a way that the ordinariness of life becomes wonderful. He's the George Bailey in this little part of the world. He's midway through his 28th year teaching seminary and institute. His students love him. It's a blessing to run into former ones like earlier today. We'd LOVE to figure out how to retire him in 2-3 years. That's the goal. He made an awesome work bench for his shop this year. He serves as first counselor in the bishopric. He serves me and his family unfailingly. Anything we need, he tries his best to make it happen. We love having him PRESENT in our lives. I'm a blessed and happy woman. No, he's not perfect. :-)

Colorado trip with my cousin. (our family and hers)

A beautiful COOL getaway.

I've had two really wonderful years with real estate. Late last year I changed companies. It's been a good change for me. I started this business to support our missionaries, but along the way I've studied the things I really love. The culmination of those years of interest in coaching, nutrition, self help, positive psychology, mind body medicine, etc is now coming together for me. Next year I will be studying with the Functional Nutrition Coaching Academy. It teaches how to do all of those very same things I've been interested, so that I can work with Functional Nutrition doctors coaching their clients. It's a year long program, but by Summer's end, I'll have my first clients. By the end of next year, I'll bid real estate a fond farewell. It's been a great blessing to us. And I love working with people. 

In June I was released from Gospel Doctrine and was called to be the YW Pres. I am where I am today because of wonderful friends and leaders in YW. It's humbling to have the responsibility. My only desire is to bless these girls and please the Lord. I hope I can. I LOVE doing family history research. I've become a bit of a home body because daily life is so hectic. I love the peace at home.

My greatest blessings are my family, our home, the gospel of Jesus Christ, our freedom, and our friends. I have goals and dreams, but it's interesting times we live in.  We wish you a Merry Christmas. If you are reading this, we are grateful you are in our lives. 

Light YOUR World

Because of some personal experiences I have been having, I was pondering the Good Samaritan a few days ago. I read an article that completely changed the way I think about it. We have a tendency to focus on the question the attorney asked, "Who is my neighbor?", but there is a greater question asked at the end by Jesus Himself.

"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?"

Is this story about the man who fell among thieves or about who his neighbor was. Is it about WHO we serve, or who WE are? Are we a "priest" who crosses to the other side of the road because we don't have enough time or we don't want to dirty ourselves? Are we a Levite who is better than doing that kind of work? Or are we a Good Samaritan? Maybe WE are someone most wouldn't want help from, but we're willing to help, whenever, where ever. The Lord's statement to "go and do thou likewise" can have much significance for us if we'll search our hearts.

I don't want to embarrass the someone I love who sent me this story, but it touched me deeply. A story of an unlikely Good Samaritan.

 

Had a little experience that I wanted to share real quick before I forget and I'm not feeling the prompting anymore. Just a few minutes ago I was driving from the gym to walmart to pick up a couple things. I took a back road that is less busy from the usual traffic, especially now that it's Christmas time the roads are busier then ever. 

Anyway, as I was driving down the road about 100 yards ahead of me I saw a well dressed older gentleman looking both ways about to cross the street. I wasn't speeding but I was moving pretty quick because I was one of the only cars on this particular road. I saw the gentleman look my way, and could tell his mind was quickly debating if he could make it across before I came speeding by. I could almost see a boost of confidence in his step when he made the decision to take off across the road. 

Unfortunately his mind believed he still had more speed then he actually did because when he stepped off the curb and into the street he almost stumbled from the step trying to move forward quickly across the street. Now I saw this from the beginning...so I was already prepared to slow down, but this gentleman didn't know if I saw him or not and if I was on my way to deliver him to the end of his road. You could see he was trying to lift his arm to alert me to stop because he knew he wasn't going to make it across and that there was no turning back. 

Now all of this happened in a quick couple seconds, but before I could reach my foot for the brake, a younger athletic man bolted out into the street out of nowhere. He was poorly dressed and you could tell he had little money wearing a jacket with holes all throughout. He threw his arm around the older gentleman and put his hand out towards me to stop. As I slowed to a stop 10-15 yards away, this younger man helped carry the older gentleman across the road. He didn't rush him, he was in no hurry, he just gave the older gentleman a shoulder and used his weight to help lift the man so he could regain his step and walk across the road. 

Once they crossed, the younger gentleman gave the older man a side hug letting him know he was safe, and then turned the other way and went back to wherever he came from and the older gentleman carried on his way. 

This probably sounds...cliche, a younger person helping the elderly across the road...but in the moment all I could picture was the Savior. There we are, thinking we're strong and confident in life, about to cross a road or decision. We've hurdled ourselves out there thinking we can make it and the next thing you know we have a speeding truck, trial or bump in the road coming at us with no way to avoid catastrophe. 

Just when it seems all is lost, here comes our perfect Savior, who jumps out in the street to our rescue, putting his arm around us assuring us we are safe, while reaching out his hand commanding the trial or problem to "be still." Once we're back to safety He allows us to continue on reminding us that He is always there to watch over and protect us, to calm the storms we face. 

I could not resist the urge to share this little experience that was a reminder to me to always remember the Savior. He's always there for us. He lives. In this time of season I invite you to look for Christ like examples, and look for opportunities to serve the way the Lord did. Thank you for listening to my little testimony. I hope everyone has a good day. 

Then, someone else I love responded with this perfect video. There's a #LightTheWorld campaign going on the next 25 days. How will you LIGHT YOUR WORLD? This is beautiful.

IAT = I am thankful

 FOR JUST ALL OF IT.