Sabbath Day Scribblings - Seeking Christ

"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.'

"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others." ~Thomas S. Monson~

Merry Almost Christmas

I am spending a little family time for the next couple of days and might not have the chance to post.  Just thought that I would leave you with a Christmas message.  May the season fill you with all the hope and peace and joy that you need, and most of all, may you remember Him and seek Him always.

Writer's Workshop - You know you are a mama when.....

Welcome to another fun filled week of writing inspiration!! Pick your poison...
Then, click over to Mama Kat's and post your link.

This Week's Prompts

1. You know you're a mother when...
2. The best gift ever!
3. How has blogging changed for you in the past year? What are your goals for your blog this year?
4. Santa of Christmas Past. Share the previous years Santa photos...what has changed over the years?
5. Put together a holiday outfit you'd love to wear at a holiday party should a holiday party ever be on your list of things to do.

For this workshop, I picked number one.  You know you're a mother when.....

My life has taught me many things, one of the most precious is that of motherhood.  I think that you know you are a mother when... 

You are willing to go without things for yourself, so that your children may have things they need.  

You are willing to go without sleep so that you can rock your little one and calm them in the middle of the night.  

You are drooled on, slobbered on, spit up on, and pooped on and you think that is OK. 

You stop cleaning and sit holding a crying child in your arms until life doesn't hurt quite so much.

You share your drinks, your food, your kisses every single day.  

You forget what it feels like to sleep in a bed all by yourself!

You cook with helpers who spill the flour, break the eggs, and spill the milk all over the kitchen, then they leave you to happily clean up the mess.  

You smile and laugh when you change your baby's dirty diapers.

You realize that every time your child says "mother", they are really saying "I love you".  

You realize that the most important work you will ever do lies within the walls of your own home, and it doesn't matter anymore what anyone else thinks about it.  

Wordless Wednesday - A Kiss

Who Is Santa?

Santa Claus is anyone who loves another
and seeks to make them happy; who gives
himself by thought or word or deed in every gift
that he bestows; who shares his joys with those
who are sad; whose hand is never closed against
the needy; whose arm is ever outstretched to aid
the week; whose sympathy is quick and genuine
in time of trouble; who recognizes a comrade
and brother in every man he meets upon life's
common road; who lives his life throughout
the entire year in the Christmas spirit.
EDWIN OSGOOD GROVER, Vicki Howard's The Book of Santa Claus

I used to struggle with the decision to "let" my children believe in Santa.  I wanted the holiday to put the the Savior first, to put aside the commercializim that is so prevelant in our society.  It was so hard for me to decide to allow Christmas to be commercialized by the world. 

I have learned as I have gotten older.  I have learned that we get to decide to put Christ back into Christmas. It is a choice that we make.  We can't totally escape the world views of Santa and Christmas, but we can change what our children remember and celebrate for the season.  

We never have a season in our family where we don't talk about the meaning of Christmas.  Where we don't teach the true meaning of Christmas.  We share stories, songs, and love.  We talk about he Savior and the wonderful gift that He is to us.  We talk about symbolism and how to keep Christ more in our hearts and our minds.  

I have always taught my children that Santa Clause is the spirit of giving and he lives in the hearts of all men.  If they want to believe the Spirit of Giving wears a red suit and says, "ho, ho, ho", that is just fine with us.  At some point in time they put it all together and it is not a big deal.  We try and teach them to believe in the Spirit of Giving.  It is essential for us to have that Spirit within our hearts all during the year.

I think that part of Christmas is making it fun and memorable for  my children.   It is teaching them to treasure their memories and to feel the love and joy that comes with giving.  

Writing Santa Letters

For the past several years, one of my favorite time honored traditions of things to do is to answer Santa Letters for the children in our community.  The younger grades participate and the Chamber of Commerce sponsers the event. The kids usually write short letters and sometimes draw pictures to put in the envelopes.  I send Santa Letters back to the children along with a candy cane for each one.
It is such a joy to read those cute letters.  One of the favorite questions this year was "how do you make Rudolf's nose glow?"  I seemed as if most of the kids in town wanted to ask that one.  I also love the fact that the children actually had small lists of things that wanted.  I would say that the average list was only two or three things long.  Makes me wonder how much emphasis we are putting on buying and giving, when the kids are really not wanting as much as we think they do.
This year, we have downsized a lot in our family.  I have been struggling with the fact that Christmas has gotten so out of hand.  We have so many kids, in-laws, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters and parents, that it is easy to spend too much money on everyone.  So, this year, I have changed my buying habits and am trying to do less with more.  I am trying to focus more on the reason for Christmas, and less on what they are getting.  I am trying to remember those Santa letters from all the children and how happy they will be if they just get the few things on their lists instead of all the stuff that we might normally try and buy.  
Maybe it is time to remember that Christmas is not about stuff.  It is not about how much we receive.  It means so much more than the distractions and commercialism that we find during this season.  

President Monson said, “Christmas is what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration. If we have not already done so, we can establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christ.”

Sabbath Day Scribblings - Because He Came

A wise Christian once urged, “Let us not spend Christmas … but let us keep Christmas in our hearts and in our lives.” ³

This is my plea tonight, because when we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. ⁴ It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.

There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.

Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him, in bonds of brotherhood and love.

May His precious Spirit be with us, and may He ever be the center of our celebrations and indeed of our very lives, I pray in His holy name, amen.

Thomas S. Monson

I found a group of like minded bloggers who share a picture and a short message on Sundays.  I hope you have a chance to visit them also.  It is called Jumping Tandem.

A Simple Moment - The End Of Lessons

This Moment

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Five Minute Friday - Connected

Won’t you join me today?  Join me as I share a part of myself in just five short minutes.  A time to relax, reflect, and review.  A time when we just write without worry.  

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back to The Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in.
3. Most important: visit, comment, encourage the person before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on 

Connected.

START

I grew up not knowing what connection really was.  I wanted it.  I craved it.  I even dreamed of it, but in my life, it just wasn't there.  I did not even know how to make it happen.  I never imagined such a large number of people all being connected to me.

Somehow, I learned that connection is largely about loving and letting go.  It is about growing and learning and caring.  It is about loving someone so much that you have to let them make their own decisions and walk their own paths, even when those paths are not the ones I would choose for them myself.  It is finding joy in the small triumphs, and always praying for the heartaches.   It is holding each other close in our hearts, even when distance separates our bodies.  It is making the effort and finding the time and the energy to let others know how much they matter.  It is seeing the good in them and overlooking the mistakes.  

Connection is a state of being.  It is allowing the love to be more important than the wants, realizing that happiness always includes a few tears, and knowing that touch can mend bridges and heal hearts.   Sometimes connection is simply my own attitude of what is most important in my life.  

For me, connection is about my relationship with God, my relationship with my family, and my relationship with those that are around me.  Together, in our family, we are might.  There is consolation in our caring.  There is strength in our sharing.  There is power in our connection and love.  The scriptures tell us:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Eph. 3:17–19.)

Connection is the Love that we have one for another, and for Him who gives us everything.   May we be filled with His love.  


STOP

Writer's Workshop - Puzzle Pieces

Thursday is one of the best days!  It is a day that I write with a prompt, and see where it goes.  A day when I get to choose something different and apply it to my life.  The rules are simple.  Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list over at Mama Kat's.  Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!  See you there!

The Prompts:

1.) 10 things I Wanted for Christmas as a Kid but Didn’t Get and Still Want.
2.) If you HAD to marry a celebrity…who would you choose and why? (Let’s just pretend you’re not actually already married mkay?)
3.) Your nativity scene.
4.) Share a story from your college years.
5.) Describe your least favorite meal growing up.

I chose number three.  My nativity scene.

My Nativity is a puzzle.  It is unique.  It is amazing.  I have a wonderful friend that made it for me many years ago.  It is something that I have had under my tree for a long time.  It reminds me of the meaning of Christmas, and the joy that really does come from sharing with those around you.  

The Nativity is always something that attracts the children.  I have had many different ones in my life.  Mostly breakable.  Several that I made myself.  Whichever I have always sits right under the Christmas tree.  My children have always been able to play with them and move them around.  

For years, the nativity in our house was a hodgepodge of mixed up pieces.  The ones leftover from Christmas's past, that hadn't managed to get broken yet.  You can't have six small children without getting glass things broke.  I always wanted one that the children could play with and enjoy without me needed to worry, but they were always so expensive.  

Each year, I would watch, and each year, I would lovingly put the old pieces away again.  

Several years ago, one of my good friends wanted to make something special for me for Christmas.  She had her husband cut out the pieces, and she painted them all in beautiful colors.  It is one of my favorite gifts.  It sits beneath the tree in a place of honor.  The grandchildren play with the pieces, and we help them put it together and take it apart many times every season.  There is just something wonderful about it.  

Life is a puzzle just like my nativity.  You have to be willing to rearrange it, change it, and keep trying in order to get through it.  There are no extra pieces in God's Universe.  Each of us are here because we have a place to fill and something to share.  He as put is exactly where we need to be to find our best fit.  It is up to us to make sense of it.  Each one of us my fit ourselves into the big jigsaw puzzle that is called life.

Wordless Wednesday - Cello

Tuesday's Unwrapped - Keeping It Real

It is easy to get lost in the commercialism that the Christmas season brings.  It is easy to get "wrapped up" in what is going on all around us.  It is easy to get our priorities mixed up, when all around us are confused.  Competition is rampant during this season.   Everywhere you go, it is about selfishness, over extending and over spending.  Seems to me that the message of the world is all based on buying as much as possible.  That gifts are the way we show people that we care.
I must admit, that I have way too often found myself wrapped up in that mind set.  I have spent way too much money, on way too many gifts.  I have had children who did not appreciate all the hard work and effort and expense that I went through to try and make it a "perfect day".
It has taken me many years, but I think that I am finally learning.  We spend much less money now than I did even three years ago.  We buy more games and less individual gifts.  We buy things that we can do and enjoy as a family, and less that separate us as individuals.  I have learned that one nice gift per child goes much farther toward making the day more enjoyable for all of us.
We play games together and spend time together.    We have our traditions that help to remind us of what this season is really all about.  We go caroling, we read the Christmas story, we talk about it being the Saviors birthday.  We read favorite stories about the season.  We participate in giving to others that are less fortunate than we are.  We try and make the season more about giving and less about receiving.  The girls do extra chores to earn money to buy gifts for each other.  The sacrifice of the season brings so much joy and love and reminds them that they are sisters and friends.
I have found that it is so easy to become overwhelmed during this season of celebration and joy.  If I focus on what makes the season special for us as a family, and keep that in my heart and mind and actions, than we all benefit.  I am not always successful, but this year, it is looking like I am finally going to become real at last.  Jesus is the reason for the season.  As I strive to serve Him, the season becomes more about what He would want me to do, and less about what I think I need to do.
And that makes for a perfect day after all.

Today, I am joining up with Chatting at the Sky for Tuesday's Unwrapped.  Today, we take this day and whatever it might hold for us and search for the gifts.  The blessings that abound within the trials.  We discover that He is there and real for us no matter what is going on in our lives.

What Is Whole

WHOLE:
Adjective:  All of; entire: "he spent the whole day walking".
Noun:  A thing that is complete in itself: "a coherent whole".
Adverb:  Used to emphasize the novelty or distinctness of something: "he's given a whole new meaning to the term “cowboy.”".

What is the meaning of the world "whole"  I have thought of it as a whole pie, a whole day, a whole family.  I have thought of so many things, but today, I am thinking of how it applies to me.  When am I whole?  Have I ever been whole?  Is it something I was before?  Or something that I can become? 

I sometimes don't know what whole really is.  I want to be whole.  I want to be complete.  I want to be happy with myself, but there seems to be things in the way.  There are bits and pieces of me strung throughout the moments of my life.  Some things have been given to others, some have been returned.  I have been hurt, angered, neglected, and even not worthy.  I have also been contented, happy, cared for and loved.  

I seem to be a contradiction in terms and abilities.  

After years of feeling imperfect and never good enough, years of dealing with the burdens of hurt and pain, I finally turned to the Lord to heal my heart.  

One night, reading my scriptures, I came across the story of the woman in the New Testament that had an illness for a long time.  She spent many years seeking the advice of physicians and trying to figure out what was wrong.  

She turned to the Savior, and thought to herself that if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be healed.  The Savior felt her need and turned to the crowd to ask who had touched Him.  I love the next verses:

“But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
And he said unto her, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:33–34).

In that moment, the Spirit taught me what it means to be made whole.  I realize that it does not always (or even usually) mean being healed from our physical imperfections.  It does mean that when we come to the Savior, He will heal our hearts.  To be made whole, we need to reach out to Him in faith and belief.  We need to realize that only He can make us whole.  We cannot now, nor can we ever be whole without Him.
In the most important ways, my life has changed.  The Savior continues to heal my heart as I come to Him and lay my burdens literally at His feet.
I have learned that no matter what is wrong in my own life, I can come to Him and He will help me endure my difficulties.  Wholeness doesn't come from within myself, but from faith in a Savior who will calm, comfort and heal my heart.
Until I become
Whole through faith,
Whole through grace,
And whole through the greatest gift of all,
His eternal love.  

Sabbath Day Scribblings - The Real Christmas

"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....

"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments."

~Howard W. Hunter

A Simple Moment - Family Get Together

This Moment

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Five Minute Friday - Color

It’s Friday.  One of my favorite days of the week!  Today is the day that we link up with the Gypsy Mama for a moment (or five) of writing.

Let’s do it. Let’s just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Won’t you join me?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here at the Gypsy Mama, and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Color…

START

The snow falls in our mountains, covering the colors of the world in wondrous white.  Hiding the greens and browns beneath a glistening, shimmering blanket of cold. Everything looks clean in fresh in it's new coat.  Blemishes are covered beneath the drifts.  Mistakes are made into seeming perfection; camouflaged in frosted light.  The world seems to be a wondrous place.  

Then, like hens let loose for the chicken coop, the children come.  Laughing and squealing in excitement.  Wanting to be the first to mark the new territory of fun.  The first to make boot prints in the snow.  The first to climb up and slide down.  They bring their sleds, their snowsuits, their happy voices.  They bring their boots, their hot chocolate, and their gloves.  They trudge buoyantly up the hills, all for the colorful moment of skimming down over the hard packed snow.    

The whiteness is broken, yet we are all the better for it.  

STOP

Writer's Workshop - Winter Snow

Every week you’re invited to join us in Writer’s Workshop over at Mama Kat's by responding to one of the provided writing prompts posted each Tuesday. The directions are simple:

• Choose a writing prompt from the list provided that inspires you most.
• Write.
• Come back this Thursday and paste the URL from your post into the list of links that will be displayed…this way anyone can click on your post thumbnail and head over to your place to see what you wrote.

 Writing Prompts:

1.) Have you decorated your Christmas tree? Share a favorite Christmas ornament.
2.) What is it about that movie that makes you cry every. time?
3.) Open letter to Santa Claus.
4.) Blast from the Past: What were you writing about last year at this time? Tell us what has changed (if anything) since then.
5.) Write a poem about a snow memory.

Winter Snow

By Patricia A Pitterle

The snow falls

softly and beautifully

 in quiet whispers.

Glistening and sparkling

Like glitter

On the paper

That is my life.

Each and every time

I see the flakes

Falling softly down

To the earth,

I stop to breathe in

The wonder

Of utter coolness.

I taste the ice

Of winter in the air.

I see the colors

Of the world

Covered up

In a soft blanket

Of white, winter wonder.

I watch the clouds dance

Against the ice blue

Of the sky.

The snow is cold

On my bear skin

As I reach out to touch

And it slips through my fingers.

The large, drifting flakes

Settle softly on the ground.

I stand there,

Twirling circles

In the shifting swirls.

Enjoying for this moment

The beauty that is snow.

My Life

is much like

The crisp winter snow.

The cold of trials

Fall upon me,

Filling me with sadness

And despair.

But hope also falls

Upon this place.

Settling softly

On my heart.

It glistens and sparkles

And covers the agonies

I have endured.

Soon the adversities

Are covered up

In a soft blanket

Of love

And forgiveness.

I experience life again

In all of it’s wonder.

The snows of life

Shift and move

And fall again
Making swirls

in the pattern of the light,

Until soon, I feel faith

Settle softly on my heart.

Spring will surely

come again,

And this winter

will, eventually, pass.

It is Faith that twirls

And whispers

quietly around me.

This is only

for a small season.

I can endure.

He is here,

I am loved

Safe, in His arms,

At last.

Wordless Wednesday - Need a little elevation, please!

The Holy Ghost

Happy Birthday to my sweet grand-daughter Lillabeth Ann.  This is a poem that I wrote for her to mark her very special eighth birthday.  In our religion, there is just something so special about being old enough to be baptized as Jesus was.  She is growing into quite a beautiful young lady.  I couldn't be prouder of this wonderful girl.


The Holy Ghost

By Patricia A Pitterle

The Holy Ghost speaks softly

His is a quiet voice

With gentle, inner promptings

He helps you make your choice.

If you’re deciding something

Is wrong or right to do

Just listen to His still small voice

He will guide you through.

He whispers with his spirit

Right into you heart

You’ll have a warm soft feeling

You’ll know right where to start.

So as you learn to listen

And feel His gentle touch,

He will bear sweet testimony

That you are loved so much.

He’ll guide you in your choices,

In all you do and say

If you will just remember him

And don’t forget to pray.

Let comfort guide your actions

Be honest in your heart

The Lord will love and bless you

As you seek to do your part.

It Is Better To Look Up

May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down.

Sara June Parker

Isn’t that an amazing quote?  I found it and immediately loved it.  It reminded me of the conference talk given by Carl B. Cook during the last General Conference.  He told the story of when he was called to be a new general authority.  He got into the elevator with his head down, feeling all of the many burdens that come with the calling.  The elevator stopped and someone got inside.  He heard a voice ask,”What are you looking at down there?”  he knew that voice, it was the prophet, President Monson.  Seeing Elder Cook's downcast expression, President Monson advised him that "It is better to look up!" 

How easy is it to remember to look up?  I have found that when I do, I do not miss as much in the world around me.  Not only that, I also feel better.  When I am holding myself up, I start to feel “up” instead of down.  I find it interesting that how I hold my body helps to influence how I feel.  

What marvelous advice though, to simply look up.  Where is your focus?  We all have tough times, we might not be a general authority, we might not be sick, or we might not be having times that we think are particularly trying, but there is something in each of our lives that can be very difficult for us to deal with.  That something automatically makes us put our heads down.  When our heads are in that position (and it is not in prayer, just saying!), it makes it harder for us to feel happiness.  It makes it harder for us to feel gratitude,  It makes it so much harder for us to realize our blessings. 

So, my challenge today is to simply put your head up.  To keep your thoughts focused upward and outward, instead of downward and inward.  To remember that He knows your heart and your trials and He is right there with you as you make your journey.  If we exercise our faith, and look to God for help and guidance, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens that we face.  As we look up to Him, He will lead us.  

Sabbath Day Scribblings - Kindness

"More than anything else, kindness is a way of life. It is a way of living and walking through life. It is a way of dealing with all that is--our selves, our bodies, our dreams and goals, our neighbors, our competitors, our enemies, our air, our earth, our animals, our space, our time, and our very consciousness. Do we treat all creation with kindness? 

Isn't all creation holy and divine?"

Jean Maalouf

A Simple Moment - Reading

This Moment 

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Five Minute Friday - Tired

Oh, today, today is Friday. And on Fridays around these parts we stop, drop, and write.

For fun, for love of the sound of words, for play, for delight, for joy and celebration at the art of communication.

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

Won’t you join us?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here at the Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in. 3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Tired…

Start

Sometimes, I can feel so tired.  There are so many things going on in my life.  I am running here there and everywhere else.  There is so much on my plate, and Christmas can make it seem even more chaotic than it really is.  I am not good at slowing down.  I am tired.  

Today, if it could go wrong, it did.  The computer systems at work completely crashed, we had over a foot of snow fall, the mail was late and the girls were all out of school on a snow day.  It has made for one crazy day.   The girls were supposed to be practicing the piano and cleaning their room (you can't see the floor, no kidding).  They got tired, so they went outside and built and igloo.  It is really a snow hill that they are using to sled on, but it was a lot of work.  I like that, when you are tired, do more work to help you not be so tired.  I think there is a moral in that somewhere!  Maybe it is as simple as slowing down and taking a little time out for play.  It might be as easy as doing something that you love to do.  

So, for this Christmas season, I think I am going to work on one thing at a time.  One moment each day when I remember the Savior and what Christmas really means.  A moment when I take a break from the chaos and turn toward Him.  A moment when I remember the things that are most important to me.  Those things that remind me most of Him.  

For Christmas this year, I am giving myself the gift of simplicity.  One moment at a time.  Our moment tonight is sitting together, watching movies, eating popcorn, and just enjoying each other's company.  A simple moment of family to relax and enjoy  A way to remember that life is not all about "tired".  Sometimes (most times) it is about choices.  

STOP 

Writer's Workshop - The Things They Say

Welcome to another fun filled week of writing inspiration!! Pick your poison...
They link up with Mama Kat and share!

This Week's Prompts

1.) What did you go through in order to get out? “The best way out is always through” 

2.) Five Things. List 5 things we don't know about you, 5 things you're knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, and 5 things you believe. 

3.) The first of December is upon us! Describe an Advent Calendar or a special way you count down days until Christmas (past or present). 

4. Kids say the darndest things...describe a time a child's honesty made you think. 

5.) Tell us the story of how your pet came to be a member of your family. 

I chose to write about number four.  Kids say the darnedest things!  

A few years ago, we were gathered at a family get-together.  I think it was Thanksgiving.  My husband has 13 brothers and sisters.  Every year, they all get together at one of the houses and have a combined dinner.  It is something they have been doing for 25 years or so.  It is a big deal, and one that we hardly ever miss.  

I should tell you that my husbands family are mostly all devout Catholics.  There are a couple of other religions in the mix, but they all like to get together, have fun, drink wine or  beer, and eat a great dinner.   

I should also tell you that my husband and I are not Catholic.  Our beliefs do not permit us to drink alcohol of any type.  We always bring a cooler of soda, juice, and sometimes sparkling cider, and take our drinks with the kids of the family.  

My girls have been going to these family parties since they were born.  They love to get together with all their cousins and aunts and uncles and their Grandma-mum.  It is always a wonderful day.  Somehow, I never thought about explaining the religious differences to them.  We have always just gone and had fun.

My daughter was about five or six and was eating outside with Grandma-mum and several of the other people at the gathering.  All of the sudden, she noticed that Grandma-mum had a glass of wine and was DRINKING it.  She proceeded to tell her how Heavenly Father commanded us not to drink wine and how she was going to get sick and die.  Then she came into the house where I was and started crying because her grandmother was drinking.  In her loudest stage whisper she proceeded to tell me how drinking wasn't healthy and how she did not want her grandmother to die.  

We had to have a serious talk about religious differences and choices while we were there that day.  you probably should know that I don't know where she picked up the alcohol makes you die part of her belief.  That is not something I have ever told them.  But she sobbed for an hour because she just knew it was bad.    

What I admired about her honesty was her total willingness to share (with absolutely everybody) her own beliefs.  I have to think about the willingness of children to preach and share their testimonies, no matter how uncomfortable it might be for the grownups to hear.  

I have to admire her desire to make sure that her Grandma-mum was healthy and was doing the things that were right.  

I admire the love that she feels for her extended family.  Even though they don't believe the way we do, she loves them unconditionally.  She is upset when they are not making, what to her, is a wise choice.  

I admire that she is willing to speak up, speak out, and let everyone know that there is a problem.  She does not keep her troubles inside, she does not make up excuses.  She tells it like she sees it.   I wish I had just a little of that strength and integrity in my own life.  I hope some of it rubs off on me.

It was Jesus Christ Himself who taught us to look to the children as our example. The New Testament records His answer when His Apostles disputed who should be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus answered their question with a powerful object lesson. He called a little child to Him and set him in the midst of them and said:

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4).