Merry Christmas

Today as we are buried in the wrapping paper while the kids jump off the walls from excitement (and sugar highs),  let's not get too buried by the world's idea of Christmas.  I hope that many of you were able give at least one homemade present to a loved one this year.  As I frantically tried to be sure everything was finally done in preparation for Christmas this year, I decided that maybe I should plan a homemade Christmas for next year.  I think it may end up being the best one yet if we stick to that goal.  I received a beautiful scarf hand crocheted by my grandmother for my birthday this year - and it's honestly one of the best gifts I have ever been given!
As I sat at church today with my family and pondered the many gifts our Savior has given us - I hoped that you all were having similar thoughts today.  Instead of worrying about the food for later than day, or continuing to bury yourself in wrapping - I really hope you thought about your many blessing and how you can give more of yourself to the Savior.  How can we improve throughout this next year to result in a better understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ?  We read Luke 2 last night as we gathered around my parents Christmas tree and ate our traditional "Shepherd's Dinner" (we eat similarly to what the shepherds did in those fields those many years ago).   Since half of my children are now old enough to understand that they can indeed give something to their Savior this next year, we went around the circle and told eachother one thing that we could do better at this upcoming year for Jesus Christ.  Little Momma's was to be kinder, Destructo-girl's was to listen to her parents more (maybe that meanst 50% of the time now... I'll keep my fingers crossed for more than that though),  mine was to work on the new Personal Progress/Young Womanhood medallion (that ALL women/girls can do by the way), and the Hubby's was to help the Boy Scout program in the ward function better this new year (I added that by doing this, he could help them have a desire to go on missions - by instilling the boy scout standards into their daily lives - two birds with one stone, right??).   Little Man's can be just learning how to talk more this year to start.  Baby girl can continue being the most beautiful baby in our family and for now that will be enough. 
I know that our Savior knows us each personally and that He loves us more than we can ever comprehend.  I am sure He thought of each of us as he suffered in Gethsemane those several thousands of years ago and willingly gave of himself to allow EVERYONE of us to come back and live with him someday.  There is nothing more He wants to do for us than help us - we only need to ask and He is there. 
So as those new year's resolution lists start up in the next few days, make sure to write your present down for Christ this year so you can focus on your goal all year round and feel joy as it is completed by Christmastime next year.    Merry Christmas to you all - don't lose sight of the purpose of life and the great many blessings you have been given!    Love you all and hope this next year holds many fabulous blessings for you and yours!