Wednesday, December 31, 2008

"Ring, happy bells..."

I probably say this every year, but gosh, I can't believe the year is almost over!! Only a few hours left!!

I've never really been one for New Year's resolutions, but I decided to give it a shot this year. Some are for my eyes only, ha, but here are a few of the not-so-personal things I'd like to accomplish within the next 12 months:


  1. Serve others.
  2. Remember my PJS. At the end of each day, I will make sure to spend some time in Prayer, Journaling, and reading my Scriptures. (Thanks to my fabulous visiting teacher, Brianna, for this one!)
  3. Learn how to cook.
  4. Learn how to crochet and knit.
  5. Have the courage to share my testimony in church.
  6. Read at least one book that isn't on a syllabus a month.


2008 was great, and I'm sure 2009 will be pretty fine, too!! Happy New Year to you all!!!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Yuppers...Christmas is right around the corner. I love everything about this holiday--the lights and decorations, the music, spending time with those we love...

The lights and decorations...

Last weekend, my mom and I went with her coworker and friend, Ponda, to see the lights at the Mesa Temple, and we also walked through the Visitor's Center. We had the best time!! The twinkling lights turned the grounds into a fabulous display of colors. After listening to a flute quartet perform a short concert, Ponda asked if we wanted to see the front of the Temple. As we walked around it, my mom kept saying how "beautiful" it was, over and over again. What a perfect night!

The music...

I lovelovelove Christmas music!! If I could listen to it 24/7, I would. One of my very favorite Christmas songs is called "The Gift" sung by Aselin Debison. It is soo sweet, and it always makes me cry!

A poor orphan girl named Maria
Was walking to market one day.
She stopped for to rest by the road side
Where a bird with a broken wing lay.
A few moments passed till she saw it,
For its feathers were covered with sand,
And soon clean and wrapped it was traveling
In the warmth of Maria's small hand.
She happily gave her last peso
On a cage made of rushes and twine.
She fed it loose corn from the market
And watched it grow stronger with time.
Now the gift giving service was coming
And the church shone with tinsel and light,
An' all of the town folk brought presents
To lay by the manger that night.
There were diamonds, and incense, and perfumes,
And packages fit for a king,
But for one ragged bird in a small cage,
Maria had nothing to bring.
She waited till just before midnight
So no one would see her go in,
And crying she knelt by the manger
For her gift was unworthy of Him.
Then a Voice spoke to her through the darkness,
"Maria, what brings you to me?
If the bird in the cage is your offering,
Open the door, let me see."
So she trembled, she did as He asked her,
And out of the cage the bird flew.
Soaring up into the rafters
On a wing that had healed good as new.
And just then the midnight bells rang out,
And the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture
For its beauty was fit for a King.
Now Maria felt blessed just to listen
To that cascade o' notes sweet and long
As her offering was lifted to heaven
By the very first nightingale's song.

Spending time with those we love...

I love my family and friends!!!!

I love this special time that we have to reflect on the birth of our Savior. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and may 2009 be filled with much happiness and many blessings!!