Powerful Beyond Measure

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson

The Bread of Life

The Bread Of Life

Just as the Babe of Bethlehem was born, humble and low, then exalted to glory, common, everyday, humble bread has been raised to a lofty station.

Consider that:
Bethlehem, where He was born, means “House of Bread”.

His first temptation in the wilderness was “to turn stones to bread”.

Instead, He turned temptation into teaching: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.”

As an example to us, He prayed to the Father in the manner: “Gives us this day our daily bread”.

He fed five thousand disciples with only 5 barley loaves, then seizing the opportunity, declared to them on the following day, “I am the living bread come down from Heaven.”

Embodied in the bread, He broke with His apostles in the memory of His sacrifice and His Father’s gift to the world.

Bread-this highest and lowest food can serve as a meal for insects or a sparrow, as well as a Sabbath feast for priests and prophets.

Bread-this most common food was chosen by the Savior Himself as a remembrance of the most uncommon life.

Bread-a symbol of His birth and death; reminder of His temptations and teaching; a sacred memory of His sacrifice and sufferings.

My Christmas wish is that this small gift and these great thoughts will help you feel the spirit of Christ, and remember Him and all that He has done for us through this beautiful Christmas Season.

Oranges for Christmas

Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other boys. In the winter time it seemed that any extra money went for coal to heat the old building. At Christmas, the building always seemed a little warmer, and the food a little more plentiful, but more than this – Christmas meant an orange. At Christmas each child received an orange. It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided, and it was coveted by each boy like no other thing that they ever possessed.

Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it, loving it and contemplating the moment he would eat it. Some would even save theirs until New Year’s Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations until New Year’s, just to remind us of the joy of Christmas.

This particular Christmas Day, Jake had broken the orphanage rules by starting a fight. The orphanage mother took Jake’s orange away as punishment for breaking the rules. Jake spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. Night time came and Jake could not sleep; silently he sobbed because this year he would not have his orange to savor with the other boys.

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulders startled him, and an object was quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared in the dark to leave Jake alone. As he looked closely, Jake discovered that the object placed in his hands was a strange looking orange – nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired and cherished until a later date. Each boy in the orphanage had given just one orange section so that Jake could enjoy his Christmas.

This year, may the orange remind us all of the unselfish love taught to us by our Savior that we share with each other.

Thanks for the ride

"Life is like an old-time rail journey-delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
--President Gordon B. Hinckley

A Grief Observed

One of the great C.S. Lewis books is "A Grief Observed."

"You can't see anything properly while your eyes are blurred with tears.

You can't, in most things, get what you want if you want it too desperately: anyway, you can't get the best out of it. 'Now, let's have a real good talk' reduces everyone to silence, 'I MUST get a good sleep tonight' ushers in hours of wakefulness. Delicious drinks are wasted on really ravenous thirst...And so, perhaps, with God.

I have gradually been coming to feel that the door is no longer shut and bolted. Was it my own frantic need that slammed it in my face? The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can't give it: you are like the drowning man who can't be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear. On the other hand, 'knock and it shall be opened.' But does knocking mean hammering and kicking the door like a maniac?

And there's also 'To him that hath shall be given.' After all, you must have a capacity to receive, or even omnipotence can't give. Perhaps your own passion temporarily destroys the capacity."

Girl in a Whirl

Vickie Gunther of Redlands, California, wrote a hilarious poem, Dr. Seuss style, about how much LDS women try to take on. David B. Marsh used it at Women's Conference, and Vickie has given permission to share it.

The Girl in a Whirl by 'Dr. Sue' (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!

You could do what I do If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day; I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely; I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!

I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities; I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano! I bless with my talents! My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date; I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul, But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .

I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished; Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful; The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too. It's easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake; I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children! I help all my neighbors! I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet; My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers. It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal; I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall. But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir! Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen! My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money; I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week; I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread; I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply; My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them; You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!

It's easy to do all the things that I do! If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It's easy!" she said

and then she dropped dead.