I honored the Sabbath by attending my meetings and partaking f the Sacrament.
Ether 12:22-41
Ether 12:33-37 speaks of this love called charity. The Savior showed the most perfect charity or sacrificial love when He gave His life and atoned for each of us. We must pray that we "may be filled with this love" so we can inherit eternal life (Moroni 7:48). Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what it means to have charity: "Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other" (Ensing, May 1992, 18-19).
GC: Joy and Spiritual Survival by President Russell M. Nelson
"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."
The oldest Westbrook boy was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today. I have never heard him speak before and he did a great job. He spoke on honesty and integrity. "Live by high standards, even when no one is watching."
Rusty A. spoke on The Light of the World, the Savior honored the Sabbath and so can we. "We should do things on the Sabbath day that will help us remember Him."
Brother Green from the high council was the final speaker. He spoke on joy, using Elder Nelson's talk from the last general conference. "The future is as bright as your faith." Pres. Monson.
Curtis, Kacey, and Sister Skousen's grandson Christian were in my class today. The lesson was, "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ." Zemira was sick.
In sharing time the kids got to make nativity ornaments. After the block some of the Primary children went to the Scott's to sing Christmas carols. They are leaving for Utah this week and might not be back for a few months. James and Brother Lauritzen took them a gift from the Primary and some pumpkin bread. I missed seeing the kids sing because I was waiting for James to finish home teach Brother Cooper. I was sad and frustrated because it was my idea to do it in the first place.
Deana is my visiting teacher
I delivered pumpkin bread to the Crane's and James delivered the rest of the loaves. I also made a stocking for Lej, a boy in my class who does not attend and delivered it to Teresa Smith at the church while she was waiting for tithing settlement. She will deliver it to Lej when she goes visiting teaching to his mom.
James went home teaching and then we watched, "Love at Christmas" and then got ready for tonight's marriage class. This is the last session tonight. The lesson is "Enriching Marriage."
After the class I gave all the women a pair of Christmas socks. James and John visited in the kitchen and Anne, and Sandra and I visited in the family room. The Grapps' went home.
I love these snowman cookies made by my friend Kaeli.
Christmas and Friends:
Former bishop, stake president and mission president.
This couple waited a very long time for this little boy!
I love this pretzel house!
