Christmas Reflections

Last night I was feeling overwhelmed, unorganized, unprepared and unable to become either organized or prepared, and buried under responsibilities of this Christmas Season. We had been asked to help clean the church last night, and after being at work all day, rushed home to throw something together for dinner so we could head out to that assignment, and had an email from Relief Society asking for help in a service project for tonight! Then of course, Wed. night is enrichment (of which I am in charge), Thurs. night Roundtable, and another week is gone!!! As we quickly gobbled down our sandwiches and fries, we discussed whether I should "just say no"! A very sweet feeling came over me as the thought came into my mind of how very blessed we have been this year. As businesses are failing all around us, we so far are still marching along. We quite possibly could have lost two grandsons (and their parents) last month due to illness and fire, yet all are safe and well. Ed and I have had our share of health issues this year, Lidia and Abbey have persevered through a rough pregnancy and have nearly reached the end and both are safe and well. Some of us have endured rough economic times. We have not by any means had an easy year in 2008, but we have emerged intact, stronger, more united and maybe even a little smarter! How ungrateful it would be of me to focus on me and what I want rather than what those around me need, esp. at this time of year. Oh sure, we can donate money through tithes, offerings and donations, but that is the easy part. At this time of year it is the time I've been asked to give that requires me to dig deep and sacrifice of the little I have. So, with a change in attitude that affected the whole experience, we went off and helped clean. We will go off again tonight and with a happy heart and attitude for the opportunity to serve whatever disaster survivors wherever in the world they may be by putting together cleaning kits for the humanitarian center. And, all the rest of the "stuff" of the Season will fall into place as our hearts, minds and hands are in the right place. I love this counsel from Howard W. Hunter from a Christmas past: