Quotes of the Week

We face difficulties and challenges, some of which can seem truly daunting.  However, with God on our side we cannot fail.
--Thomas S. Monson

The Lord is building His kingdom quietly through His faithful and humble servants with little fanfare toward its glorious millennial future.
--Henry B. Eyring

We are here to qualify ourselves day by day for the positions that our Father expects us to fill hereafter.
--Russell M. Nelson

There is no limit to your potential.  If you will take control of your lives, the future is filled with opportunity and gladness.
--Gordon B. Hinckley

Quotes of the Week

As you go about your Sabbath day today--and every Sunday--remember that it is a day of do's, not a day of don'ts.
--Jeffrey R. Holland

We should never fear.  We can always have hope because God is with us.  We can trust Him and He will carry us in times of need.
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I testify that our Savior, Jesus Christ, sees all of us with infinite worth.
--D Todd Christofferson

Don't forget that Heavenly Father knows your name and loves you deeply.  He is always ready to help.
--Ronald A. Rasband

Stitches, Christmas Decorations, Area Books, Santa Claus X Two

Let's just get the disgusting picture out of the way at the beginning of this post. That would be the photo of my foot. With the stitches in it. ICK!!

But I was glad to get the stitches out. And the doctor told me I could wear a regular shoe that very day. That was a pleasant surprise! Only 2 1/2 weeks in a boot. HURRAH!!

Just writing those words makes me feel like this picture is no longer an unpleasant thing. At least not to me.

When I saw these packages of turkey-shaped sculpted butter marked half off a few days after Thanksgiving, it made me think about how much Sarah's boys would have loved turkey-shaped butter for Thanksgiving. Oh well... Maybe next year.

Although, looking at the price of the butter, it's probably a fair thing to say there will never be turkey-shaped sculpted butter on our Thanksgiving table. Ever!

During Sarah's visit here, I got in the mood to dig around in the hall closet to see what kind of Christmas decorations I might find. There was one string of plain green garland, so I put it on the fireplace mantle.

Glen assures me he will NEVER put up the Christmas tree tucked away in the back recess of the closet. He has been looking forward to a 3-year hiatus from dealing with Christmas lights on a Christmas tree. So I decided to put the bag of tree decorations on the garland. I LOVE IT!!!

The photo doesn't do it justice with how beautiful it looks. It sparkles when I turn on the lights above the mantle. 

I got so excited when I found this table decoration in a store and felt like it matched the mantle decoration so well that I just had to buy it. I LOVE this, too!

I found this decoration for the living room in the closet.

There were several wreaths in the closet and they have been hung around the house.

I am happy I decided to bring this olive wood carving that we got in Jerusalem.

We have a senior missionary couples FHE dinner at our house once every transfer (every 6 weeks). These flower arrangements were purchased for that occasion and I have absolutely LOVED looking at them every day since then.

  (The Maughans, the Corlesses, the Burgons, the Sattleys,

Glen, the Coverstons, the Christensens) 

AND ME!!!  

During this round of interviews, I was checking area books with each companionship. 

As usually happens, I learn new and interesting things from the missionaries. This elder was showing me how he is never going to have to wear long-sleeve shirts again.

He's got these handy-dandy cheat cuffs that he attaches to his wrists. As long as he doesn't stretch his arms out too far, no one will suspect there is no shirt attached to the cuffs. (Or so he claims...?)

In Mission Leadership Council we trained on prayer. 

I LOVED the video we showed about two trees the same size being planted at the same time--one in the sun and the other in the shade. Both trees grew and it wasn't until several years later that there was a noticeable difference. 

The tree in the light had grown dramatically bigger and taller than the one in the shade.

We don't often see dramatic negative consequences if we miss a day or two of the small and simple things--prayer and scripture study--that will help us maintain our focus on our eternal purpose.

The compounding effect of a little more sun each day made a huge difference over time in the growth of the trees. The same thing happens in our lives as we expose ourselves each day to the source of all Light.

The compounding effect of daily disciplines with purpose and real intent can make a big difference in all areas of life.

There! Now you've had a small taste of what went on in MLC this month. And here's another "taste" of what went on at lunch in MLC this month.

 At the request of one of our departing missionaries, Sister McClellan made a salad with her delicious "secret recipe" dressing.

The first weekend in December the Del Mar Stake goes all out transforming the stake center into a music hall for their fabulous Community Christmas Concert. We went two of the three nights.

The second night Glen was asked to give the devotional to the choir before the concert began and I was asked to give the closing prayer at the concert.

This was the scene when we first walked into the building.

In another chapel closer to home, and during the daylight hours, I was looking through area books with the missionaries while Glen was doing interviews.

As one missionary walked by with Santa under his arm, I insisted he stop for a photo op with the jolly old fellow.

Then imagine my surprise when I saw the real guy wandering through the hallways.

Another great photo op I just couldn't pass up!!

Quotes of the Week

"Let us be in the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach."
--Quentin L. Cook

"We need to know God's laws and live them.  Only by doing so will we obtain true happiness."
--Thomas S. Monson

"You are not competing with anyone else.  You are only competing with yourself to do the best with whatever you have received."
--L. Tom Perry

"You must ask for God's help.  After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again."
--Gordon B. Hinckley