All The Best Stories . . .: December 2012

Monday, December 3, 2012

Decking the Halls

Slow to decorate this year - but we're getting there. Put up the tree last night and the garland around the front door today. I love this time of year!!!

We are excited to see what Christmas in Alabama will have to offer....

Our church had a creche exhibit on Saturday,

and we're looking forward to a different church's live nativity this week -

As usual, I've had the music out for awhile,
but I have to admit that the 75 degree weather

makes me feel a little less festive!

Still,

'Tis the season and I am Merry!!!

Running Trail - Summer vs Winter

These aren't in exactly the same spot - but same trail, December below -

It's a beautiful place to run and when I get there, it makes me happy! Re-starting after a too long hiatus.

This was either May or July/August - Summer time regardless - See, there are seasons here!

Quote of hope from Teachings of George A. Smith

If mankind will love one another, the hatred and the unkindness that have existed so much in the world will pass away. In these days of uncertainty when men are running to and fro seeking for some new plan by which peace may be
brought into the world, know this: that the only way to peace for this world is the pathway of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. There is no other. …

To possess a knowledge of the truth is worth all the wealth of the world, to know that we are on the safe highway when we are in the pathway of duty as defined by our Heavenly Father, and to know that we can continue there if we will, regardless of the influences and inducements that may be offered by those who have not been appointed to be our leaders, is a blessing that is priceless.

We live in a day when the scripture is being fulfilled among the nations wherein the Lord said through one of his prophets, that in the latter-day, “… the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:14.) With all the wisdom of the world, no group thus far has been able to point the way for peace with the certainty that it is the way.

We … are fortunate to know that there is a way for peace that alone will produce results, and that way is to keep the commandments of God as revealed to the children of men anciently and in our day. If that way were followed, all the problems that are so serious in the world could be solved, and peace would come to this unhappy earth.

Though the world may be filled with distress, and the heavens gather blackness, and the vivid lightnings flash, and the earth quake from center to circumference, if we know that God lives, and our lives are righteous, we will be happy, there will be peace unspeakable... by going about doing good, we may have peace and happiness and prosperity.

Quote to Ponder

"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master. 'It is a desire to sacrifice for others, to render service, and to possess a feeling of universal brotherhood. It consists of a willingness to forget what you have done for others, and to remember only what others have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and think only of ... your chance to do good and aid your fellowmen ... to see that your fellowmen are just as good as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts - to close your book of grievances against the universe, and look about you for a place to sow a few seeds of happiness and go your way unobserved.' " ~ Howard W. Hunter, 1972