Time for Truth Tools

I have been looking forward to this Christmas so much since I completely missed last Christmas because of the brain surgery. But yesterday I came down with the flu and am so sick. I start slipping into Illusion by feeling sorry for myself, but then I grab the Truth Tool gratitude and think how blessed I am to even be alive this Christmas. Somehow I'm hanging on and am realizing that my being sick doesn't change the real meaning of Christmas at all. I can contemplate and enjoy that even in bed.

I hope all of you have a very merry Christmas and that none of you are sick! God bless you all.

Mary the Mother

At the end of the Nativity account found in Luke 2 we are told that “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). Some authors have taken this to mean that Mary didn’t understand what was going on. But I don’t believe that. To think Mary was naïve is to completely disregard the beautiful Psalm that Mary utters when she visits Elizabeth.

“My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever” (Luke 1:46-55).

Even if you believe that these aren’t Mary’s own words and that someone later attributed them to her, you know that after what she had seen and experienced these kinds of thoughts couldn’t help but be part of her thinking. She had seen and experienced things that no mortal before her or after her has ever experienced. There is no way she could be naïve. The prophecies were talked about constantly and even if, as a woman, she was not part of the synagogue discussions, she could not help but overhear the men talking of the Messiah that would be born to a virgin. She would know what His mission was to be and how He would be sacrificed for the sins of the world. Mary knew all these things.

I can only imagine what it would mean to cradle my newborn son in my arms and know the horrific fate that awaited him. Every time she saw a sacrificial offering at the temple, or heard of one, her heart must surely have broken. Of all people, Mary knew who this baby was. That she kept all that happened and pondered it in her heart was not a sign of ignorance, but an indication of the burden she lived with. Her Son would die for her and for all of us.

Picture by Amy Pectol : http://amypectol.com/

Good Will

In the Nativity story Luke tells us that the angels sang to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). I would have loved to have heard that, but then maybe I did! Maybe I was one of the angels singing. I can’t be sure, but it is a wonderful thought to ponder.

But if I were singing, it would have been different words. From what I have learned about living in Truth and from studying the original Greek text that our King James Bible comes from, I think the proper translation and something closer to what the angels were singing went like this, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”

In this telestial world peace comes to people who strive to do good and to no one else. So this Christmas season, I am singing (in my heart because no one would like to hear my voice!) my own version of the angels' carol. But more than just singing the words, I am committing to be a woman that wills good.

Sing it with me! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”


picture by Gustave Dore:http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/17/1734/NXC3D00Z/gustave-dore-huge-host-of-angels-descend-through-the-clouds-in-paradise.jpg

My Nativity Fiasco

During the past few months I built a puppet theater in my house. At Thanksgiving my grandsons put on a delightful puppet show with knights, a fairy horse mother, and a damsel in distress. I’m still chuckling over it. There are three young grandsons (ages 4, 5 and 7) here for Christmas and last night I helped them do a puppet show of the Nativity. The rehearsal went fairly well. Changing puppets every other sentence from angels to shepherds to wise men was tricky, but we managed it. Then we invited all the adults in to watch the show.

It started off well. The angel announced the news to Mary and then to Joseph, but when the donkey appeared and Mary hopped on for the ride things began to fall apart. A little laughter from the audience sent my young puppeteers off and the next thing I knew Joseph kept kissing Mary, the sheep were attacking the shepherds. and no one could remember their lines. In short, my well intentioned Nativity turned into a comedy.

A few years ago this would have devastated me. It didn’t last night. The Truth is that children are easily diverted. The Truth is that when funny things happen people laugh. The Truth is that everyone enjoyed the attempt, and even though it didn’t have a reverent feel about it, the message was still there. The Truth is that even though they weren’t exactly on task, they got the message that this is something very important to me. The Truth is that even though it didn’t turn out how I would have liked it to, because I didn't get all bent out of shape about the way it was going the good feelings were preserved and it is those good feelings that my grandsons will remember.

Once again I learned that when you take what comes and love it instead of fretting about it, everything turns out all right in the end.

My Joy!

My favorite thing to do at Christmas time is set up my crèches. I have an olive wood crèche I bought many years ago in Jerusalem that brings back memories of the amazing trip we took to the Holy Land. I have a Fisher-Price crèche I set down low so the grandchildren can arrange and rearrange it. I have a white porcelain one and a Mexican one two wonderful friends gave me. I have a tiny one another friend made for me. I love them all, and as I said, they are my favorite part of Christmas.

It brought back some strong memories to get them out this year. Last year I set them up hurriedly in the few days between the CAT scans, MRIs and other testing and the day of the brain surgery. I put most of them downstairs where I didn’t see them much after the surgery, but the Mexican one I set up right next to my bed on a little table where I could see it all the time.

Last year as I set them up I wondered if it would be the last time I ever set them up or not. I remember contemplating the reality that I may not be around this year and that if I were around I may not be able to see the manger scenes very well. I remember putting the baby Jesus in the olive wood manger and thinking about the possibility that before long I could be standing in front of Him and looking into His eyes and feeling His love in a very real way. I wondered what He would say to me, and if I were ready. It made Christmas last year very new and different experience.

This year as I put the baby Jesus in the olive wood manger, all the memories and feelings from last year coursed through me but in addition I was filled with the gratitude that because of this little baby miracles had occurred. I could see. I was alive. And all because Jesus Christ was born, lived, and died for me.

I wish I had the words to express all I am feeling this year as I look at the Mexican crèche that I placed where I can see it while I work. I’m looking at it now and feeling all the feelings again and also feeling very frustrated that there are no adequate words. I keep trying to express what is in my heart and keep falling far short. All I can say is that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. What a blessing that is in our lives.

Memories of Rain

Christmas time overwhelms me with memories. There is something about it that causes me to think about all the Christmases past and all kinds of other memories. This morning I was thinking about one of my favorite mothering moments.

Late one night after all the kids were in bed and asleep it started to rain and I don’t mean just a sprinkle. Water poured down in great streams. I watched through the window for a few minutes as I started to get ready for bed. Light coming from the street lamp on the corner shined magically through the cascading rain and reflected in the large puddles forming on the lawn.

Suddenly, without giving it much thought, I woke up the children and marched them out into the rain. In our pajamas, we lifted our faces to accept the water's caress. We opened our mouths and drank in the heavenly water. We danced, we ran in circles, we splashed, we played airplanes, we laughed, we sang, we joined hands and played ring-around-the-rosies, falling into the puddles and feeling the tickle of wet grass against our cheeks.

Hearing the laughter Carl joined us and we played until everyone was soaked to the skin. Then we went inside, changed into dry pajamas, blew hair dry, and drank hot chocolate while still giggling. It was way past bed time and that wasn't the only family rule broken, but none of that really mattered. I can't remember if we were on time for scripture study the next morning or even on time for school. I don't remember any burden from washing all those pajamas and towels. All I remember is the love and joy I felt for my children and for my Heavenly Father as we danced in the rain.

Looking back on my days of mothering, the only regret I now have is that I worried too much about things such as bed time and laundry. I wish I had spent more time dancing in the rain.

One Year And I Can Still See!

One year ago today we had a head shaving party here at my house. My family and some friends gathered, I was given a beautiful blessing, and then my son took the scissors to my hair. A year ago tomorrow, the surgeons went searching for Grizelda. And then the miracles began. It hasn’t been easy, but I have been so blessed this year. My family took such great care of me while I was recuperating. This pictures shows D2 who is a nurse who stayed with me in the hospital. All of my children were so helpful  and I grew to appreciate them so much more.

It took awhile, but I have my full strength back now. I can still see! I have learned some amazing things. And I am happy.

This year has gone so fast! Besides the duel with Grizelda, it has been full of other adventures. I was able to see every one of my children and grandchildren—which doesn’t happen every year since they live so far away! My book Gospel Insights for Everyday Living was published. I wrote another book, Living in Truth, and taught many Living in Truth workshops. I especially enjoyed that because I met so many wonderful new friends.

Best of all is that I’ve grown so close to my Savior this year. I’m beginning to suspect that adversity is necessary in order for that closeness to happen. I hope I’m wrong, so I’m clinging to this closeness and hoping 2010 has a little less adversity but that I can maintain the closeness. I’ll let you know how it goes!