Merry Christmas

Joy, peace, happiness, merriment, families, love, smiles, twinkling lights, games; this is what I think of when I think of Christmas.  But I also think all those things when I think of our family.  (except maybe for the twinkling lights).
Words, at least my simple words, cannot express the joy I have in my heart being a mother to each one of you!  And that includes you all!  I smile when I think of you.  I smile when I think of each grandchild. 
It is a blessing to have such a family.
There is a song that goes, "let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me..." 
It does begin with me.  I want to express that to you today, because I don't know if we will get around tuit during our visit together, that I have peace in my heart.
This gospel we live was a gift to me, the greatest gift I have ever been given.  It does bring me joy, even great joy.  And seeing you guys live the Gospel increases that joy. 
I know that Christ was not born in December, but seeing so many people take the time to celebrate Him and worship Him brings me great happiness.
He has blessed me, healed me, saved me, comforted me, and continues to do so daily.  I have seen miracles, both large and small. 
I have felt that peace He promised us.  It is most precious. 
It seems impossible to bear a testimony in words over a computer.  How can the spirit accompany what I am trying to say and what I feel?
My Christmas wish for all you is peace in your heart, even that most precious gift of love from the Savior Himself.  I hope you feel it.  I hope you live it.  I pray for each of you daily, and I can feel His help and watchfulness over you.  I love to see  and hear that you do your callings and ask the Lord for guidance and fast and pray oft.
Each time we receive inspiration, the Lord has more confidence in us that we believed enough to seek it, and then acted on it.  We can then be given more and more. It is amazing!
Between all our fun and presents and food and excitement, I know we will feel the beautiful spirit that abounds in our family and homes.
Merry Christmas from mom! 

The weather outside is frightful

But beautiful!

The Outsiders

I had never read this popular book, or saw the movie. Dad had to read it in high school.  It was chosen as our book club book this month, so I was glad to finally read it.  The girl wrote it while still in high school, so the writing itself could have been improved, but I loved the concept, and the characters.  I had 'greasers' in my high school, and dated several.  One time, Mark came over to wash and dry his flannel shirt after it got blood on it during a fight. Fun days.
So we Netflixed the movie, and watched it last night.  Boy!  The stars in it!  Now you all know dad and I know little of actors names and what movies they are in.  This short movie was made in 1983. It had a very young Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon,  the young kid star  from Karate kid, Diane Lane, and Patrick Swazy.  If they redid the movie today, it would be better, as they never quite captured the relationships and feelings of the book. It also did a poor job of developing the theme of labels and reputations.
We enjoyed it, and I even cried.  I recommend both.