In Our Family This Month...
* The month started out with the Spirit of Christmas by mom and the kids going to the Meridian city Parade of Lights and the town's tree lighting! Last year, mom and the girls volunteered to help out but this year we just wanted to go and enjoy the event! Teegan, Charlie, August, McKendra and the little boys joined the rest of us and we secured a great spot near the beginning of the parade route. The atmosphere was full of excitement and it was a great way to kick off the season!
* During the holidays The Village in Meridian brings in an ice skating rink. The kids wanted to do a triple date to go skating and they reported it was a blast! This had been on the girl's "Holiday Bucket List" so they were extra thrilled with the activity! Afterwards, they all came back to our house and had treats and watched a movie. Another triple date was to the Temple to do Baptisms! What a great activity! Nathan took Audrey out an additional time (with Aubrie and Charlie) where they went downtown and ate pizza.
* The highlight of the month was that Grandma and Grandpa Carlson arrived on Dec 18th for the Holidays! They were able to stay until December 29th and let me tell you - those 10 days just FLEW by! We didn't waste a single minute and the after getting them settled in their room, we picked up Mckendra and Luka and headed to the thrift store! haha... Over the next week and a half we visited many thrift stores and shopping in general! It was a blast! We have several really good thrift stores here in the valley and they did not disappoint! We also went to a couple of movies while they were here: The Oath which is about Moroni and the Book of Mormon and also The Shift. Of course Hallmark Christmas movies were also on the agenda as was eating popcorn and chocolate drizzled nuts! Grandma and I went to the gym (Crunch) each morning to get our workouts in. Grandma did her 3 miles and I did a combo of walking on the treadmill and circuit training on the weight machines. We also went to the Temple with EVERYONE! That was certainly a highlight! We had plans to attend a 2nd time but Lexi was seriously ill and we didn't want to leave her (she ended up being diagnosed with Mono! Poor girl!).
We took the whole family (and Teegan) and walked through the Christmas light display at Indian Creek in Caldwell and then came home to homemade sugar free hot cocoa! It was actually a somewhat pleasant night so we didn't freeze (too badly! haha) while out there! And mom and dad did a double date with Grandma and Grandpa for their 29th wedding anniversary! We went out to eat at The Olive Garden and then went to the Indoor Shooting range and shot several pistols. Grandma and Grandpa are pretty good shots!! Of course there was all of the actual Christmas celebrating (which will be written about down below).
Then it was (sadly) the morning of the 29th and they needed to head back home - Boo! I loved every minute of having them here and driving around town singing along to Christmas music was a definite highlight! And even the mundane everyday tasks that needed to be (like making menus, grocery shopping and meal prep) was much more enjoyable just being in the kitchen together and visiting while doing those things! I loved it! Here are some pictures of us while they were here:
* The girls had lots of plans they wanted to do with their boyfriends and friends during the holidays! These included activities like ice skating, decorating gingerbread houses, wearing matching pajamas, decorating Christmas cookies and having a Christmas party. They're happy to report that all things were accomplished!
* Christmas Eve was on Sunday this year. We had 9am church and were back home shortly at 10am. We had planned on starting the Christmas Eve festivities around 2pm so we could have a couple of hours before Ben had to leave for work (at 5pm). Promptly at 2pm, we were handing out our matching Christmas Pajamas and getting ready for our annual photo shoot! It was extra special for mom having grandma and grandpa this year! We set the camera on a remote timer and got the job done! Maggie even cooperated and made an appearance in a few. Then it was time for the Sibling gifts. We did things a bit differently this year (as it was vetoed to continue doing our "homemade sibling gift" tradition). It was decided that whoever's name they got, they would write a heartfelt letter sharing their thoughts, feelings and favorite memories about that person along with giving them their favorite treat. This actually was super sweet and I think I liked it even better than the homemade gifts and think we'll continue along with this "revised tradition".
Next up was the Auction! We executed it the same as last year where everyone got the same amount of "Christmas Ca$h" and then dad would give a riddle as a hint while mom walked around the room with the wrapped item. This was a lot of fun and of course the big hits were the gift cards. Each of the kids each were able to get 4-5 items. It had been decided upon that putting the auction together would be the only gift from mom and dad this year and it worked out well. After the auction, we took a quick break and got Ben ready for work and out the door and then we were ready for our Christmas dinner! In the past couple of years, we've just been doing the super simiple breakfast buffet (with muffins, croisants, cereals and cinamon rolls, etc) but of course we had to class it up just a bit for Grandma and Grandpa! So we elevated our Breakfast buffet with a crockpot breakfast casserole, a smoked ham (and other things that I can't remember now! haha) but everything was tasty!
It was then time for August, McKendra and the little boys to head home as it was getting close to their bedtime. The rest of us gathered in the living room and watched "The Chosen: A Christmas Celebration" and reflected on the true meaning of Christmas.It was peaceful and brought the spirit of the season into the home. By this time it was getting late and so we brought all of the gifts from under the tree into the living room (where there is more room) and set up all of the different piles and it looked so magical! Another Christmas Eve was coming to a close and I thought it was a perfect day!
* Christmas Day! The next morning we got up early (gasp!!) to accommodate Ben's work schedule. He arrived home from work at around 7am and that's when we all got up (so that he could participate in the festivities before heading to bed). August, McKendra and the boys came over at that time as well. We opened up our gifts and like always, everyone was spoiled! We were all dressed in our matching Pjs and enjoyed seeing what each other received. Grandma then treated us to a delicious breakfast of French Toast! As the morning went on and it became closer to the boy's nap time, the house quieted down. Grandma and Grandpa Vogt also popped in for a bit. We watched a movie together in the afternoon and went delivering some goodies to friends. Lexi had been fighting an illness but was determined NOT to get sick right before Christmas so so fought hard but eventually by Christmas night she was up in bed. She wound up being sick for quite some time on after multiple Urgent Care visits she was diagnosed with Mono! Not the Christmas gift she was hoping for!
* The days weren't the same without Grandma and Grandpa here but we pressed on as we still had New Year's Eve and August's Birthday to celebrate! Aubrie made a cute and yummy chocolate buttercream cake for August's 27th birthday! We had a little celebration and then August and his family left to put the little boys to bed and then August came back to watch movies with the kids and ring in the New Year!
* And then here's just a few other pictures from throughout the month! Mom was in charge of the Ward Christmas Party and so there's a picture of that (it wasn't heavily attended... just under 100 people but we were expecting over 200) but those that came seemed to enjoy themselves! Also, Stephanie Perry's daughter, Kaitlyn, got married on December 16th. Stephanie had asked the girls and mom to come do our Christmas decorating magic on her banister so that the house looked festive for Kaitlyn's Bridal shower! And then pictures of us after church and one of mom and the girls after doing some Christmas shopping in our Christmas colored outfits!
Spiritually Speaking...
* This has been the most we have ever attended the Temple! We went every single week (sometimes multiple times) all year long (except once when we were all super sick!). We have found continued peace and solace in the Temple as we have committed to making it a priority in our lives.
It's been extra fun since Ben got endowed and he's been going multiple times a week as well and so we usually get to go with him! He has such a love for the Temple and it's so wonderful to see that! We still take a "Temple Selfie" each week.
* Here are two excerpts from my Scripture Journal this month...
December 8, 2023
Faith
Times are getting a bit more trying. Both John and I had simultaneous rough days where we were feeling the financial weight
of our situation and the frustrations, sadness and hopelessness of not having a steady and reliable income. John’s been feeling
like a failure and struggling with not being the provider that he always has been. I’m sad to admit that I’ve been entertaining
doubting thoughts and letting fear creep into my heart :( I’ve even found myself doubting the Priesthood blessings we’ve
received. In fact, this morning Ben gave John a blessing and I had such an ugly spirit about me that kept thinking “these words
aren’t going to come to pass...” and other lies were running through my mind. That distraught feeling lasted a bit longer until I
started asking myself - “Do I have a testimony of the Priesthood? Do I have a testimony that God is real ?” and similar questions.
I realized that I DID and that I needed to repent! So I got on my knees and apologized to Heavenly Father and declared my
testimony of Him and of the Priesthood and was sorry how I’d let fear into my heart. I had originally felt like the blessings that
God was pronouncing on John’s head through Ben were “too good to be true” and “there’s no way that can come to pass” and even
“Ben just wants to say these things because he thinks it’s what we want to hear” and I said that in my prayer. Through thoughts and
feelings I had this revelation: No! These ARE all of the blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for us BUT we have to have faith
for them to come to pass. If we’re doubting (even WHILE the blessing is being given) then of course they won’t happen! Faith
precedes the miracle and I need to doubt my doubts and not my faith! After my prayer, I felt renewed and rejuvenated and full of the
spirit so I went and shared my thoughts with John and told him all that I’d been feeling but how I’m not going to be a doubting Thomas
anymore and am moving forward in Faith!
James 1:21-25
Becoming Doers of the Word
I really enjoyed my personal studies this morning! For our Come Follow Me section this week we’re studying James 1-6 and
today I focused on James 1:21-25 about becoming doers of the word and not just hearers. In the CFM manual,
there was a link to a Liahona article from last December titled “Becoming Doers of the Word” and I got so
much insight that I wanted to record my thoughts and impressions!
It is super important that we APPLY what we learn!
I can (and should) study the scriptures, general conference talks and church materials
Just knowing what the Savior taught won’t transform me - I must APPLY what He taught
(and what I learn through my studies)
The Spirit is what motivates us to act and so the best way we can become doers of the word is to
have the Spirit with us!
This is one of the reasons we take the sacrament every week - because we promise that we
will take upon us the name of Jsus Christ, to always remember him and to Keep his commandments
These are each CALLS TO ACTION
The sacrament helps us to live the doctrine of Christ
It helps us to increase our faith in Him
It prompts us to repent
It prompts us to strive to do better by remembering Him during the week
Ask myself (after my studies) “What is the Lord inviting me to do this week?”
Surround myself with others who live the gospel faithfully.
Being with people who live the gospel well helps the rest of us to live the gospel better too.
Write down promptings I feel and commitments that I make (so I can remember them during the week!)
Being a doer of the word means we need to do more than just think about the Savior
Here are some specific things we can do (suggested by President Pace of the General Sunday School
Presidency) to apply what we learn in our personal, family and Sunday studies:
Let the promises in the sacrament prayers motivate you to act
Through prayer, study and obedience, invite the Spirit to guide you
Liken the scriptures to yourself
Ask: “Is there something in this scripture that could help me know what to do?
Listen to apostles and prophets and ask: “What am I supposed to do with what I have learned?”
Pay particular attention to any calls to action you feel or hear
Make notes about your feelings and impressions so you can follow up on them
Put into action what you have been taught. Pray for guidance. Then, as Nephi said, “Go and do.”
Help your neighbor (and your neighbor is anyone around you who needs assistance).
HOW TO BECOME A DOER:
Ask yourself “What would the Savior have me do?”
Pray for guidance and inspiration to know how to apply gospel teachings.
As thoughts and feelings come, keep a record of them (this shows that we value the inspiration the Lord
gives us and helps us to remember it).
Keep doing good, over and over again (this builds Christlike character within us.
This is pretty much a recap of the whole article (because I thought ALL of it was so good!) and I felt inspired to record it here
so I could revisit it (often!) and remind myself of the feelings I had while reading it. These are all such simple and practical
suggestions that I can implement in my life (many of which I already do!) but it’s always good to be reminded of the simple things
that make a big impact!
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