My Word for 2014

I found my word for 2014 in the New Testament of the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV):

"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other..."

My word for this year, then is build.  Build is a verb - an action word.  It means to construct, establish, increase, strengthen, mold, form or create.  To me, the visual images of build are individuals working hard to make something beautiful, strong and lasting.   It implies that something is made better than before.

There are many things I want to build this year.  First and foremost, I want to build my relationship with my husband.  This isn't to say that we have a bad relationship, but I want to increase and strengthen it and mold and form it into an eternal thing of beauty. Similarly, I want to build my relationships with my children, son-in-laws and grandchildren.  I want these relationships to be strong and lasting.

One of the best ways I can build my relationships with others is to build others up.   I want to concentrate this year on encouraging, supporting and sincerely praising everyone I deal with, maximizing the good and positive points and minimizing and overlooking weaknesses.  

There are other things I want to build as well, like my faith, confidence and trust in God.  I want to build my knowledge, talents and abilities.  This year, I want to create a life of lasting beauty and strength for myself and those dear to me. 

Mostly, however, I want to be a builder of others this year - of my family, friends, students, work colleagues, neighbors and church associates.   I will choose the tools I build with carefully, my words, my actions, and mostly my thoughts because it is my thoughts that ultimately build my words and actions.  

I hope to build a better life in 2014, for me and for all of those around me, and in so doing build my house upon the firm Rock spoken of in Luke 6:47-48 (KJV):

"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them...he is like a man which built an house...and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."

Have a wonderful 2014!

A Happy Visit and a Happy Surprise!

The day after Christmas, our youngest daughter and her family arrived for a quick overnight visit.  I was lovely to see them again.  Here are some pictures of our fun family holiday visit:

The grandkids were very excited to be at our house!

There was lots of good food, which we all enjoyed. 

Breakfast for dinner is a family favorite for all of us.

The grandchildren colored and created.  

They love to write, draw and color.

The youngest had fun playing games with grandpa...

 ...and tracing his hand.

The grandchildren always have lots of smiles and lots of energy!

The second day of their stay, we did a little after Christmas shopping, then went to a park to play.

The park had a fun and unique play area.

 Uncle Josh gives his niece a boost.

 On top of the world!

This little guy reminds me of very young pictures of myself.  

 

 Josh and his big sister.

 A sweet family - much loved.

It was fun to play at this nice park, which is right across the street for the new LDS Gilbert temple, shown in the background.   Families truly can be together forever!

A happy holiday surprise was revealed to the family when the youngest showed us the gift he gave to his daddy for Christmas:

Here he is holding the picture of himself he gave to his dad...

...and here is a picture of the picture with little Clay holding a sign that reads, "Merry Christmas Dad!  I am going to be a big brother!!"

Yes, his dad was surprised and so were we with the happy news that another grandchild is on the way!

What wonderful news and such a happy surprise!

Hope your Christmas week was also full of happy surprises and wonderful news!

Our Family Christmas - 2013

While hubby and son have settled in to watch a new movie one of them got for Christmas, I decided to post a few  pictures from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so far.

We topped off our Christmas Eve dinner with some of this delicious Manger Cake. The recipe came from blogging friend Billie Jo on her blog, Afternoon Coffee and Evening Tea. The recipe for this yummy cake is here.  It was a hit and we enjoyed more of it after our Christmas morning breakfast!  

After Christmas Eve dinner, we settled down for a Christmas Eve movie marathon.

 The tree with all of the gifts looked splendid on Christmas Eve.

 Josh put out his stocking for Santa.

On Christmas morning, Josh checked out the content of his stocking first thing after getting up. We unwrapped the rest of the gifts after our Christmas breakfast of Amish breakfast casserole and made-from-scratch pancakes.

Josh and Charly try to open a well-taped package sent from Charly's family in Utah.  It is a standing joke in our family that Aunt Jacque and Grandma tape packages up so thoroughly that they can't be opened without a lot of effort and several sharp instruments!

Here, Josh is opening one of the presents he requested - a new poster for his room.

Charly models his new new leather jacket - a gift from his sister.

 Charly unwrapping some of his gifts.

My family was very good and generous to me this year.  I got some wonderful things that I will enjoy for a very long time!

 Josh enjoying the spirit of the day.

In our family, we like to give and receive books and movies and here are some of the ones we gave each other this year. We will be enjoying these for months to come!

The love of family - giving and bringing joy to others is the best part of Christmas!

"...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

                                                 --Romans 6:23

Celebrating the Light of the Word

"...I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,

 but shall have the light of life."

--John 8:12 KJV

One of our family Christmas traditions is going to the Mesa Mormon Temple to see the Christmas light and nativity display there.  We went last night.  The air was chilly and the crowd was large, but the spirit of the birth of the Saviour of the World was strong.

Here is some of what we saw and experienced last night:

Jesus truly is the "Reason for the Season."  As we open our gifts tomorrow, let us remember that the most important gift of all is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the gifts of Peace, Forgiveness, Love and Eternal Life He has given us.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

--Isaiah 9:6 KJV

From our family to yours, have a wonder-filled, memorable, blessed Christmas!

Wrapping Up the Week Before Christmas

It has been a busy and full week as we prepare for Christmas and the New Year.  There is, as always, much to be thankful for.  Here are some of the the highlights.

This sunrise, last Wednesday morning was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. These pictures do not do it justice.  I enjoyed it as I drove East to take Josh to school, then I stopped in the parking lot to snap these pictures.   

Sunrises like this one warm my heart and fill me with gratitude!

The Christmas family project at school wrapped up as hundreds of Christmas wishes of needy families in our area were filled by the students and staff at the high school.

The students wrap the gifts and take everything to the library.  On the Thursday afternoon of finals week, students and staff deliver the gifts to the needy families.

I was so proud of the students in my first hour class who donated toys and clothing for a four-year-old girl assigned to us.  They also brought in a lot of groceries for her family. You can see the gifts on top of the book shelf and all the bags of groceries on the floor. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful project every year.  It is a great tradition at the high school where I teach!

In addition to doing a bit of last minute shopping, I wrote and mailed a few more Christmas cards to people around here that I want to cheer and thank for their kindness and friendship.

 I baked some sugar cookies to frost, decorate and share with friends.  We ate a few too.  They were good!  More baking and sharing is planned.

I wrapped presents on the ironing board while watching a old movie on TV in my room. That was enjoyable!

The gifts are all purchased and most are wrapped and under the tree now.  We've also had some packages arrive from family far away!

 I still have a few gifts and goodies to deliver to friends around here.

 Christmas cards have continued to arrive and now almost fill the back of our front door!

I have picked out some movies I hope to watch over Christmas break. When my husband saw this stack, he just laughed because he knows that I never get to watch all the movies I want to.  Maybe this year will be different!  Nothing like a good movie to add a bit of escape, relaxation and fun to the holiday!  I am just grateful for two weeks off and the extra time that will hopefully bring!

Here are some other blessings and good things that happened this last week, although I don't have pictures.

• Josh was one of the youth speakers in church last Sunday and he did an excellent job writing and delivering his talk!  I am thankful for and proud of him.
• Another semester of school is over.  Grades are entered and the books are closed on Fall 2013.  I am thankful to now have two weeks off now to rest and recuperate.
• Church today was wonderful!  Our church choir provided the program and it surely touched all in attendance with the love-filled spirit of Christmas.   I am thankful that I was there to experience the real meaning of this season.

Blessings to come this week:

• Josh is scheduled to get his braces off!
• One daughter and son-in-law and half of our grandchildren will be here the day after Christmas for a visit!
• I will have to entire week to enjoy family, friends, food, books, blogs, movies and other fun and relaxing blessings.

We truly have much to be thankful for in the past, present and future.  I think that we are all ready for a wonderful Christmas!

For unto you is born this day...a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. 

                  --Luke 2:11