Taking Time to Say I'm Sorry.

We've had a busy week. I'm sure most people have.  It's been late nights and more.  We had a catchup day with Riley taking the two youngest out to do some shopping.  When he got back, I headed out.  Got a few things done and then met up with John.  We did a few things and headed home. 

The kids and I took Riley to meet up with some friends, picked up some Christmas things from the storage unit.  We came home, threw a cheese pizza in the oven, watched Wind At My Back on the BYU channel while we ate.

Then we attempted to fix the lights on the Christmas tree - meaning we pulled off the ones that weren't working and added some more.  Then the kids added their ornaments.  We watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with guest, David Archuleta perform.

Then Macey wanted to wrap some gifts. Gifts to me from her and Parker and then her gift to Parker.  Well, they didn't make it very far.  An argument ensued over the use of the tape.  From both parties it was the other person's fault.  Arguing, unkind words, lots of tears does not make the season bright. 

I think our week of late nights has caught up with us.  The only good thing that comes from moments such as these is being able to teach the principle of saying I'm sorry and making it happen.  Hopefully it won't be a lesson they have to learn too many times. 

There is a peace that comes with the softening of one's heart, saying I'm sorry and giving the other person you have wronged a hug - trying to make things right!

The Spirit of Christmas - The White Stocking

I was looking online this morning for some ideas to supplement my Young Women's lesson this Sunday.  I so want the spirit to touch each Young Women's heart each time.  It's one of so few opportunities to do so.  There's this burning desire to want them to know what the spirit feels like so they recognize it and seek for it in their lives. Besides the fact that I want to feel it too.

I came across the idea of the White Stocking.  What an awesome idea for Young Women's & Monday's FHE!  You can find it here.  There is a lesson outline and list of scriptures of the gifts we can give.  Definitely for the Smith family FHE.  I'm still formulating YW.

White Stocking Poem
It wasn’t that anyone had really been forgotten,
no children had been slighted or made unhappy
and no adult had been left unremembered.
The presents had all been distributed
and all the stockings were beautifully filled,
all that is except one;
It was the stocking intended for the child of Bethlehem.
Of all the people belonging at that Christmas gathering,
only He had been forgotten.
Only He had been left out of the festivities.
This didn’t seem quite right,
inasmuch as it was His birthday that was being celebrated.

This year, hang this little white stocking
in a special place in your home.
On Christmas Eve, as you reflect upon the Savior,
write on a piece of paper
a gift for Christ to be placed in the stocking.
It will remain in the stocking
until next year’s Christmas Eve,
When you can reach into the stocking
and read the paper from the year before,
written from your heart to the Savior.

We hope that you will enjoy beginning this
Holiday tradition. Your gift could include:
personal goals you wish to achieve,
or relationships you wish to improve,
ways you will be of service to others in the coming year.
Whatever you choose, may this gift to the Savior
bring you closer to Him as you walk in His light
And follow in His footsteps.

Another lesson focused around the Nativity that I liked as well.  You can find it here.  It would be another great FHE idea.  Funny how that works.  It has a fun game called the Left Right Christmas Nativity Story. 

"In those days, Caesar Augustus decided to count everyone LEFT living in the whole Roman world. Joseph LEFT, taking Mary with him RIGHT to his town of Bethlehem to register."

Young children would find this a fun activity most of all.  Gives them the opportunity to move along with the story - be part of it.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It is the perfect way to express how I feel about Christmas.  It's even been a little bit cooler here in Florida.  A little 'crisp' air goes a long way to bringing a little more of that Christmas feel to the air.  We can break out the hot cocoa, put on a sweater and snuggle up in a chair and enjoy.  No snow here, not even a hint of frost but we can still bask in the warmth of all feelings that Christmas stirs in each of our hearts - a love for the birth of a small babe - a Savior, love for family and goodwill to all men.