25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It is About Christ

Reason 25: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it is about Christ. Christ is my best friend. He's what gives me motivation to get up in the morning. He's the one that forgives me and makes it possible for me to return to my Father in Heaven. He's the one who always understands me. He's the one who makes it all worth it. He's the one that makes me happy. He's the one who helps me change. I love my Savior, and I love this time of the year that we have to celebrate Him. God be forever thanked for the gift of His Son.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Was About Love

Reason 24: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it was about love. It was about God loving us enough to send down His Son to live with us and to die for us. It was about Christ loving the Father and us enough to be willing to do it all. It's about us feeling that love now in our own lives and living better because of it.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: The Amazing People in the Story

Reason 23: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because of the amazing people in the story. Mary had faith that the Lord would take care of her and that the child she was having was from the Lord. Joseph had amazing humility and strength to take care of Mary even when their circumstances were frowned upon. Elizabeth trusted and believed in the Lord for years before she could have a child. The wise men sacrificed to traveled for years in search of the Christ. The shepherds were excited to go when they heard the call. All these people have traits that we should try to acquire in our own lives.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It is Happy

Reason 22: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it is happy. There is so much gloom and doom in this world. Too much. I love this time of the year because it eases away some of that. At this time, people focus on the Savior, and focusing on the Savior makes one happy. Yes--there is starvation and hatred and wars and broken families and heartaches and so much evil and badness abound, but focusing on the birth of the Savior will make you happy regardless. He was born to help us ease the burdens on our backs and to destroy the evils in the world. No matter how bad it gets, it can always get better because He was born. What could be happier?

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: Evidence of God's Trust in Us

Reason 21: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it shows that God is willing to trust even flawed humans. As wonderful as Joseph and Mary were, they were still imperfect. Yet, God still trusted them enough to send His son down to be raised by them. I doubt any of us will ever be entrusted with such an important task, but there still are many things that Heavenly Father must trust for ordinary people like you and I to do. The birth of the Savior shows that He's willing to trust us with these sacred tasks when we prove ourselves worthy. I'm grateful to know that, just like God believed in Mary and Joseph, that He believes in me.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: My Family can be Together Forever

Reason 20: I'm extremely grateful for the birth of the Savior because His coming into the world, His sacrifice, made it possible for my family to be together forever. There are no other people in the world that are as important to me as these six people, and only the family that I will someday have will equal in importance and personal value to them. I'm so grateful for the birth, life, sacrifice, and resurrection of the Savior so that I can be with my wonderful family for eternity. Because of Him, we can be together for forever. It is one of the greatest gifts that He will ever give me.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Was Simple

Reason 19: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it was simple. Often, we think we need to make things grand in order to make them monumental. Christ's birth, however, teaches that we don't need to do things on a huge scale in order for them to be important. It happened in a stable rather than a palace. Shepards were invited rather than princes and kings. Mary was a simple, ordinary girl rather than a women of power and influence. Joseph was a lowly carpenter  To the everyday Jewish man, the birth of the Savior appeared to have no more importance than that of their neighbor's. In fact, in many cases, the circumstances made it something people frowned at rather than rejoiced over. The Savior was born into plain, lower than ordinary, seemingly unimportant circumstances. If something as important as the birth of the Savior could occur in such a simple manner; then our weddings, birthdays, Relief Society activities, anniversaries,  vacations, and day-to-day doings can--and should--too. After all, it is by small and simple means that the Lord accomplishes His work, and He is the one that we should be trying to please. We need to stop enhancing the center pieces, bedazzling the wardrobe, adding more to the program, and one-uping the neighbor; it is the heart that He is concerned about.

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."  -Alma 37:6-7

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Put a Star in the Sky

Reason 18: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it put a star in the night sky to lead the way towards Him. The wise men aren't the only ones who are supposed to follow that star; we should too. Though it may not be a literal light in the sky, there are lights in our lives that we need to follow. The temples light up--they are places we should gravitate towards and visit frequently. Our homes should light up with laughter, joy, and love--this is a place we need to gather together at as well. And then the light of Christ within each of us is the light we need to follow in everything we do, for it is His light and it will lead us in His way. We are not meant to travel through this life guessing which way to go. The way is clearly defined, and we follow it when we follow the stars--the beacons of light--that surround us.

“Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”  -Matthew 2:9-10

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Brought Out the Angels

Reasons 17: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it brought out the angels. An angel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would bare the Savior of the world. An angel appeared unto Joseph to reassure him that Mary's baby was from God. And angels appeared unto the shepherds as they watched their fields at night, beckoning them to come and see the baby Christ. I know that there are angels around us today. They are guarding us and protecting us more than we realize. To me, Christ's birth is just one more evidence that they do exist, and that they concerned with the happenings of this earth.

"When the time for this Savior’s advent was at hand, an angel was sent to announce to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Son of God. Then a host of angels was commissioned to sing on the night the baby Jesus was born. Shortly thereafter an angel would announce to Joseph that the newborn baby was in danger and that this little family must flee to Egypt for safety. When it was safe to return, an angel conveyed that information to the family and the three returned to the land of their heritage. 

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Time in this setting does not allow even a cursory examination of the scriptures or our own latter-day history, which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth, but it is rich doctrine and rich history indeed.

Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone.” To this end I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."  

-Elder Jeffery R. Holland ("The Ministry of Angels", October 2008 General Conference)

Jessica on Drugs

I'm at home, finishing my workout. The phone rings. I answer it.

"Hello?"
"Hi, Lindsey. I'm on my way home with your drugged up sister. It's pretty entertaining."
"Do you need me to do anything before you get home?"
"No, we'll be home in about twenty minutes. Just make sure that her bed is cleared off so that she can lay down."
"Okay, will do!"
"Oh, hold on. She wants to talk to you. Can you talk?"
"Sure!"
"Okay, she's really loopy and crying a lot . Here she is."

The phone is passed over to Jessica.

"LIIIIINNNNNDDDDSSSSSEEEEYYYY!"
"Hi, Jessica. How are you doing? Are you doing okay?"
"Yeeeeessssssss." *sniffle* "They took me in and he was so nice. They sat me down in the chair and laid me back and he was so nice and then they gave me a shot and he was so nice and then he asked me about The Hobbit because he's so nice and then he gave me a shot and I thought it would hurt but I didn't even feel it and then I couldn't see anymore." Some gasping and crying noises.
"Jessica, it's okay. You just need to calm down. You're almost home, and then you can lay down and you'll feel better."
"NOOOOOOO! We're not almost home! I don't know where we are!"
"Yes you are, Jessica. I just talked to mom and she said you were about twenty minutes away, and that was five minutes ago, so now you're only about fifteen minutes away."
"Mom just keeps laughing at me! She's being so mean! Stop lauuughing!!"
"Jessica, calm down. Everything is going to be okay."
"And then they pulled out my teeth and it realllllly hurt and then they woke me up and I asked the nurse if she had any friends and she said she didn't and that made me feel realllllllllllllly sad!" 
"Oh, yea? It's okay, Jessica. I'm sure she's fine."
"And then they put me in a wheelchair but I don't know why they put me in a wheelchair because I wasn't huuuuurrrrtttt!" 
"They just wanted to make sure that you were going to be okay and didn't get hurt, that's all."
"And theeennnnn they took me to the car and helped me into the caaarrrr!"
"Jessica--it's okay. You need to calm down."
"He was sooooooo nice! I think I want to write him a card to tell him thank you for being so nice. I think I need to write him a card."
"That would be very nice, Jessica. So when you get home, do you just want to lay down in your bed and go to sleep?"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I went to sleep last night! I don't want to sleep again!"
"Okay, then what do you want to do? Do you want to sit on the couch downstairs and watch a movie? I could get a movie ready for you to watch."
"No! I don't waaaaannnnnnnt to watch a movie!!!!"
"That's fine. You don't have to watch a movie. It's going to be okay, okay?"
"Is Emmmiiilllyyy there?"
"Yea, do you want to talk to her?"
"Yeeessss!" *sniffle* 
"Okay, here she is."
"Thanks soooo much, Lindsey! You're soooo nice!"

Ten minutes later...

The front door opens and Mom and Jessica come in the house and make their way into the kitchen. I come and stand in the kitchen doorway. Mom stands leaning against the counter. Jessica sits on a chair on the other side of the room. She's staring at all of us with glassy eyes and a mouth full of gauze.

"She is being hysterical!" Mom says as she wipes away tears.
"Why is everybody laughing at meee! Just stop!"

Mom and I go out of the room to grab some stuff real quick. When we return Emily's the only one in the kitchen. She's laughing and pointing into the dinning room. We walk towards where Emily is pointing. Jessica is sprawled out on the dinning room table like a star, spinning around. 

(After laughing) "Jessica, you can't lay here."
(She rolls around) "But I waaannnttt to!"
"No, Jessica, let's go lay you down on the couch."
"NOOOOOOO!!!!! I like it heeeerrree!" 
(Taking her arm and pulling her into the kitchen) "No, Jessica. Come on. You need to eat some food so that you can take your medicine."
Jessica sits down in the kitchen again. She touches her tongue. "It's scalllllyyy! Like a DRAGON!!!!"
(Midst trying to not let her see us laugh) "Jessica, you don't have a dragon in your mouth."
"I want to eat potatoes."
"Potatoes probably aren't a good idea, Jessica. They're too dry. How about you eat some apple sauce."
"No! I don't like apple sauce!"
"Then how about yogurt? Can you eat yogurt?"
*She moans* "Okay. Lindsey, is my lip fat?"
"No, just your cheeks because they're filled with gauze."
"What kind of yogurt do you want? We have peach--"
"NOOO!"
"Okay, then we have vanilla..."
*Ugh*
"You want vanilla?"
(annoyed) "Yes!"
"Here's a spoon."
"No, I don't want that one! I want my cereal spoon!"

She grabs a spoon and goes to stand in front of the microwave so that she can see her reflection. Then, she dips her spoon into the yogurt and starts painting her tongue with the yogurt on the spoon. Her movements are very slow and she looks perplexed. 

(In between swipes of yogurt) "She lied! My lip's huge!" 

After eating half the container of yogurt it's time for her to take some pills.

(While handing her four pills and her water bottle) "We'll have you take some ibuprofen for now and then I'll go to the store and get your prescription from Target and you can take those later."
"Can I go to the store with you?"
"No, Jessica."
"But the people at Walmart are always this weird!"
"No, Jessica. Now take your pills."
"I can't."
"Just do your best. Put the pill back on your tongue and then try to swallow."

Jessica does this several times, trying to swallow multiple pills. Most of the water ends up on her shirt and the counter.

(After trying to take the pills) "I need to clean this up."

She grabs a paper towel and begins sluggishly wiping the counters and floor. 

(Seeing the roll of paper towels out of the corner of her eye) "Oh no, Lindsey! I got blood on it!"
"It's okay, Jessica. We'll just take that part off."
"But look! It's right there!"
"Don't worry, we'll just be sure to not use that part. It's okay."
*uhhhhhh* She walks out of the room.

Surveying the scene of water spilled all over the counter top and floor, I start to clean it up. I go into the hall, headed towards the bathroom to get some disinfectant spray. I turn the bathroom doorknob and open it two inches, not realizing that Jessica's in there. 

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

She slams the door on me. I go in the other room to laugh, and then come back and knock on the door.

"Jessica?"
(In an evil/angry sounding voice) "What do you want, you PERVERT!"

I'm laughing too hard to reply and go into the other room. She eventually emerges.

"You don't walk into the bathroom when people are going to the bathroom or combing their hair!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were in there."

She walks over to the couch and sits down, a pitiful look on her face.

Yes--Jessica got her wisdom teeth pulled out this morning.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He's Constant and Reliable

Reason 16: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He's constant and reliable. No matter who we are, where we are, or what we are doing; as long as we are trying to follow Him, He will be accessible. Though our circumstances may change, He never will, and we can always call upon Him in our time of need. The reason He came to the earth was so that He could give this to us--the gift of always being there for us, ready and willing and wanting to help. He was born for us, to be there always for us.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He is the Source of All Truth

Reason 15: I'm grateful for the Savior because He is the source of all truth. Today I read Moroni 8, wherein Mormon had to correct doctrine concerning the age of accountability and children, telling them that children are innocent and need not repent until after they are baptized at age 8. When I read this, I was reminded of a story that President Packer told in General Conference last April:

"Around the turn of the previous century, two missionaries were laboring in the mountains of the southern United States. One day, from a hilltop, they saw people gathering in a clearing far below. The missionaries did not often have many people to whom they might preach, so they made their way down to the clearing.

A little boy had drowned, and there was to be a funeral. His parents had sent for the minister to “say words” over their son. The missionaries stood back as the itinerant minister faced the grieving father and mother and began his sermon. If the parents expected to receive comfort from this man of the cloth, they would be disappointed.

He scolded them severely for not having had the little boy baptized. They had put it off because of one thing or another, and now it was too late. He told them very bluntly that their little boy had gone to hell. It was their fault. They were to blame for his endless torment.

After the sermon was over and the grave was covered, the elders approached the grieving parents. “We are servants of the Lord,” they told the mother, “and we have come with a message for you.” As the sobbing parents listened, the two elders read from the revelations and bore their testimony of the restoration of the keys for the redemption of both the living and the dead.

I have some sympathy for that preacher. He was doing the best he could with such light and knowledge as he had. But there is more that he should have been able to offer. There is the fullness of the gospel." (April 2012, "And a Little Child Shall Lead Them")

What I read in Moroni, along with this story, provide just one example of the truth that the fullness of the gospel provides. I'm so grateful that I belong to a church that teaches that little children are precious, clean, and pure until they reach the age of accountability (8) and are baptized. I'm so grateful that Christ was willing to come to the earth to restore truths like this one, and so many more. I'm so grateful for the comfort, love, and direction I get from receiving and following His truth. His way is the good and true way, and I intend to follow it.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the away, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  --John 14:6

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Gives Us Life

Reason 14: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He gives us life, not just once, but forever. The gospel gives us knowledge that, because the Savior died, we will live again. This earth life is just a time of testing. Death will come to all of us, but it will not be the end. We will see our loved ones again. We will exist beyond the short span of mortal years allotted to us. We will be resurrected and live again. After just thirty-three short years after His birth, Christ would end His earthly life. Yet, this was not the end for Him. Three days later, He rose from the tomb. He was the first to overcome death, and His triumph prepared the way for us to overcome death as well. I'm so grateful for the life that began in a stable on that peaceful night in Bethlehem, for it provided the gift of eternal life for us all.

“O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.”  -2 Nephi 9:10

"The Resurrection from the dead is a most beautiful aspect of the Atonement and truly a part of the plan of happiness; the Resurrection is universal and applies to the entire human family. We will all be resurrected. I bear testimony of that fact and truth. This is an unconditional gift from God."  --Earl C. Tingey, The Great Plan of Happiness

Letters

Dear Charles, Thanks for lunch yesterday! It was good to catch up and to be with a good friend.

Dear John Wilcock, Thanks again so super much for inviting me to go to pie night with you last night! Even though you and I had to leave before our pie arived, I enjoyed the study break and being able to be with you guys. And the text you sent me this morning wishing me a good day was the BEST! Seriously--it made me feel so much calmer and confident in myself. Thank you for being in tune with the Spirit so that you could know that I needed to get your text. You're awesome.

Dear Shakespeare Paper, You're one of the worst I've ever written in college, but at least you're over with. Phew!

Dear Roommates, Gift exchange tonight was lots of fun. I love you guys!

Dear Aunt Janet, You are officially my favorite Aunt named Janet in the WHOLE WORLD! I love you so, so, so much and feel so blessed to have you in my life! Love you TONS!

Dear Emily, I'm glad we got to go get ice cream tonight. It made me happy on the inside.

Dear Amelia, This maple bar/ cinnamon bread you made is. A. Maze. Ing. It's seriously some of the best you've ever made!

Dear Christmas, YEA!!!!!!!!!!

Dear World, Life is great. Case closed.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Understands

Reason 13: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior so that I have someone who can hold me and understand me when things get tough. Something that I often struggle with is feeling like people understand me. There are many people who respect me, I feel, but few who truly understand me. Christ, though, has always and will always understand me perfectly. And in those moments when I feel alone in the trials I face, I can take comfort in knowing that someone does understand me. And not only does He understand me when things get hard, He will also hold me. He never leaves us to ourselves when we face trials. We may leave Him, but He will never, ever leave us. He is there. He understands. He will hold you. And He will help you make it through.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."  -John 14:18

"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. "  -D&C 24:8

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”  -Alma 7:11-12

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He is the Perfect King

Reason 12: After reading Ether 7-10 this morning, I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He is the perfect King. In Ether, their nation goes from righteousness to wickedness over and over again because the kings are corrupt. Christ, however, will only ever rule in righteousness. When He comes again to rule, His leadership will be absolutely flawless. He will be able to solve all the social problems our world faces today and will demolish all secret combinations and corruption. His will be a perfect, peaceful, happy world, a world I look forward to.

"We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him." --The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles 

Letters

Dear Cleaning Checks, To quote what the lady who came to do cleaning checks today wrote on our paper, "Wonderful job! Thank you so much for all of your hard work. Your place was perfect! Keep up the good work--we appreciate you! :) Merry Christmas!" In other words, WE OWNED YOU!

Dear S106, You no longer hold the title for having the cleanest apartment. Sorry.

Dear Random Christmas Carolers on Campus, Your music brightened my day and made me feel so happy and loved by my Heavenly Father. It was a tender mercy. Thank you for sharing your talents.

Dear Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed going to dinner at Zuppas with you. You are such an amazing person and so fun to talk to and be around. Good luck with your last final, enjoy your Christmas break, and I'll see you next semester!

Dear World Religions Final, Well, that went interesting, didn't it?

Dear Shakespeare Paper, After putting you down for almost five full days, you aren't as bad as I remember you being. This is very good! I'm actually excited to get around to writing you now!

Dear All-Time Favorite Not-Church Song in the Whole World, You rock the top of my iTunes charts with 633 plays and make me happy every single time I listen to you. So when Pandora played you today, of course I couldn't help but feel happy.

Dear Anna, I can't believe that today was the last time I am going to see you in a whole year and a half! Thanks for taking time out of your busy finals schedule so that we could grab lunch at the MOA and say goodbye. Thank you even more fore being one of my bestest friends ever. I'm so glad that we had ASL together last winter and then got to be Visiting Teaching companions in the Spring and Temple-going companions this semester. I admire and look up to you so much and feel so genuinely cared about and loved by you. You have already worked miracles for the Lord in my life; I'm excited to see the miracles you work in the lives of those in the Dominican Republic. Expect lots of letters! I love you SOOOO much!!!!!  P.S. I'm seriously getting the "I miss Anna" feeling in my gut right now.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: Reason 11

Reason 11: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He looks not on our outward appearances, but at our hearts. It is so easy to be quick to judge and label someone just by what they look like or a few words they say. Christ is the ultimate example of seeing people for who they truly are and who they can become. Race, nationality, hobbies, talents, profession, living circumstances, location, family, hair color--none of it stops Him from loving us just as much as He loves everyone else. He loves all people instantly and wants equally for everyone to return to the Father's presence. He is no respecter of persons. He is the Advocate, love, and support for all. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. Including you. 

". . . Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." (Acts 10:34-35)

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

Small and Simple Thing # 6

Today I'm thankful for indoor tracks so that I can go running with Sarah Porter and talk about the craziness of life with her. It's awesome.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: I Can Be Good

Reason 10: I was talking to Sarah Porter yesterday while we were running, and she pointed out that she was grateful for Christ because without Him, we couldn't be good. "Because of the Fall," she explained, "men lost the chance to ever be good by themselves. But with the Atonement, we are able to 'climb back up' to the goodness we were once at. Even more than that, we are able to become more good than we were ever before and one day, eventually, become like God." I too am thankful for Christ and His birth so that we have the chance to be good. I love being good; it makes me feel happy and at peace. I'm so grateful that He was willing to come into the world and sacrifice Himself for me so that I have that chance and potential and that goodness isn't lost.

Letters For a Special Night on Temple Square

Dear Amelia, Morgan, Rachel, Lauren, Emily, Sarah, Quaelii, Jeremy, and Ryan, Last night I got to go to Temple Square with you to hear Rachel play in the Tabernacle and to look around at the lights. I could not have spent my evening any better way. You are all some of the best people Heavenly Father has ever blessed me with. Thank you again and again for your friendship.

 Dear Rachel, You are an AMAZING violinist! You got to play in the Tabernacle! You blow my mind! I admire how you work so hard to develop your talents in so many areas. You are always going and learning and growing and serving. You are so genuine. I love you and love having you as a roommate.

Dear Amelia, I'm glad that your mission call isn't until May 1st so that there's a possibility that you could stay with us a little longer. Regardless of whether you do or not, I hope you know that there have been times when I have felt like there was no one else I could go to in the world but you. Thank you for your example of striving to follow the Lord, even when it's hard. I love you!

Dear Lauren, I am so excited for you and for the chance you have to go to Disneyland, but I am sad that you will be leaving us! You are such a fun, happy, energetic girl. I miss our mornings laughing while cleaning bathrooms in the Tanner Building. Know that no matter where your life may lead you, that you have been a defining part of mine. Thank you.

Dear Morgan, It was good to have your company with us last night. We miss you in the apartment. Everything always cheers up when you're around. You bring the best out of people and you're not afraid to be yourself, which is why I admire you so much. Keep being the amazing person that you are.

Dear Sarah, One of the things I'm most excited about for next semester is having you live here. I am so glad that you have made the effort to come over to our apartment and to include yourself in our lives. It has blessed me so much, knowing that I have a friend that loves me no matter what and whom I can go to for anything and whom I can talk to about anything, no matter how silly or serious it is. I have you to lean on when the days get hard. Thank you so much for the example you set, but even more for this friendship which you have given me. I love you sooo much, and am so grateful that Heavenly Father has placed you in my life. You are amazing.

Dear Quaelii, Over the past few weeks, I have observed you being one of the strongest people I know. I realize that life is not going how you planned it to, but I know that it is going the way it is for a reason, and I am amazed watching you take it all in and accept it with humility and a willingness to do what the Lord would have you do. I am excited to see the amazing things you accomplish over the next six months. You are going to work miracles for the Lord; I know it. Thank you for sharing your life with me so that I have had the opportunity to watch you struggle and shine. I love you.

Dear Jeremy, You are so smart, kind, thoughtful, willing to serve, and generous. I am flabbergasted that Heavenly Father placed someone as amazing as you in my path here at BYU. I know that if I were to ever need anything at all, that you would help me without hesitation. You are just so purely good and I am so grateful for your friendship, support, and love. Please don't be a stranger. I love you!

Dear Ryan, You are literally one of the most amazing people I know that I will ever associate with. You have such a genuine, deep love for the gospel and for those around you. You are the most brotherly brother I have or will ever have (I mean, you've even seen me walk out of the shower in nothing but a towel--how much more "brotherly" can one get?). I feel absolutely safe and myself around you and know that I can trust you with anything. I love you so much an am so glad that we're family. Thank you for all you do.

Dear Emily, Last night when we were driving home in the snow, the only thing I could think of the whole first half of the ride was you, in the other car. I didn't know if you were safe, but was praying so hard that you would be. I didn't care what happened to me at that moment--all I cared about was you. Then I had the bright idea to actually text you guys to see if you guys were okay. You were, and I began to feel okay because the roads became less snowy. You, Jessica, Abby, and Kate are the best friends I have in this whole world, and I'm so grateful that we can be together for eternity. I am so, so, so grateful for the chance to live with you here at school. You are so amazing. When you and I were walking around temple square in the snowy cold underneath my umbrella I felt so amazingly blessed to be there with you and to feel so much like myself. I loved looking at the temple with you and thinking about how awesome it's going to be when the day comes for us to be in there, or another temple like it, together. If you ever feel discouraged or that you haven't made a difference in the world, I hope you know that you have made a significant difference in my life and that I love you so much. Thank you for being so amazing and for being willing to be stuck with me for eternity. Best friends forever. Literally.

Letters

Dear Joseph, Thanks for dinner at the Japanese steakhouse on Friday night. The food was delicious, and your company was fantastic. Good luck with your finals this week!

Dear Girls Leaving CP, I will miss each of you so very much. Having the opportunity to serve with you has literally changed my life. Wherever you go in life, you will do amazing things. The angels watch over you. Heavenly Father loves you. Thank you for all you have done for me. I love you!

Dear FHE Brothers, I'm so glad you guys joined us for dinner tonight. I'm even gladder that when we all left to go to the Relief Society fireside that you boys stayed in our apartment and filled our stocking with random stuff from the apartment and then fell asleep on the couches (and floor--Scott!). You are fantastic family. Thank you so much for being so wonderful, worthy, fun, and uplifting priesthood holders. I love you guys!

Dear Lexi, Sarah, Alicia, and Leslie, Thank you for the testimonies you shared tonight at the missionary fireside. I know that you touched many hearts tonight, including mine. I will use what you shared tonight for years to come with those I come in contact with. You girls are amazing.

Dear RS Additional Meetings Committee, The time and effort you put into planning the fireside tonight was time well spent. Thank you.

Dear Katt, Thank you for your months of service and fun! I have loved having the opportunity to serve with you in Relief Society, and am so grateful for all you did to serve the ward as the second counselor. The girls you associated with know that you truly love them, which is what serving is all about. I will miss you, and hope that you stop by often to say hi! I love you!

Dear Sarah Armknecht, I am so excited to have you as our Relief Society's new second counselor! We are going to have so much fun together struggling and trying and thriving and serving and being plain awesome. Thanks for the example you have already set for me of how to be a righteous women, and for the example I know you will continue to set. You are amazing.

Dear Bishopric, I know you already know this, but I just wanted to remind you that you have stewardship over one of the best wards in Provo. Also wanted to remind you that they have one of the best bishoprics in Provo; their bishopric is awesome.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the : It Brings People Together

Reason 9: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it brings people together. Last night I got to go to an interfaith concert in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. People from all different denominations gathered together under one roof to share their musical talents and to testify of the birth of the Savior. I'm so glad we all had the chance to look past minor differences last night to realize that at the heart of what we all believe is that Christ was born and died for us, and that through Him we can live again. Christmas is about Christ, and Christ should always bring us together.

My Mom

 I'm a day late (because yesterday was super crazy busy/fun!) but I wanted to wish my mom a HAPPY ONE DAY LATE BIRTHDAY!!! My mom is one of my absolute favoritest persons in the whole world! Here are just a few reasons why:

1. She listens to me ramble on about crazy whateverness when I call her every day. She never complains about having to listen, and I know that she always cares about what I have to say.
2. She raised me and my crazy four sisters and was AWESOME at it!
3. She's fun to be with! 
4. She's such a good example of taking being a good stewardship over our bodies. She wakes up early every morning and works out and then tries to watch what she eats. 
5. She juggles life fantastically.
6. She always puts the gospel first. She always fulfills her callings. She always reads her scriptures. She always lives the principles she teaches. Anyone who would take the time to study her life would realize that everything she does is motivated by a love for the Savior.
7. She's the greatest example I have in my life of loving absolutely EVERYONE, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, what they don't have, reputations, whether they're on time or late, what their family situation is, and any other unpleasant details. Everyone who knows her loves her because they don't feel looked down upon or judged by her. It is one of her greatest qualities.
8. She's one of the best examples of service that I know. I remember one time I was sitting next to her in Relief Society when the Relief Society binder came around (with sign-up sheets for feeding missionaries, volunteering at events, etc). She took the binder and began signing up for stuff. I asked her why she was signing up for stuff. "You're already so busy. Let someone else sign-up," I said. She told me something I will never forget. "Lindsey," she said, "Everyone is thinking the exact same thing. If I don't sign-up, then who will?" That is how she lives her life--with an "If not me, then who?" attitude. She's always willing to help a hand, even when it inconveniences herself. 
9. She loves me and sacrifices so much for me. I know that she would do anything for me and that she'll always be there when I need her.

I wouldn't trade my mom for any other mom in the world. 

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Erases Fear

Reason 8: There is so much fear in the world today. Fear that the bills won't be paid. Fear that we will lose loved ones. Fear that life has no meaning. Fear that there is nothing after death. Because of the birth of the Savior, though, I do not have to fear these things. He came into the world to atone for us and to overcome death. Because He died and lives again, we can live again too. I live with the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens to me in this life, that things will eventually be okay because Christ has overcome the world. Because Christ lives, I have no need to fear. 

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  --John 16:33

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Will Never Let Us Down

Reason 7: The Savior came into the world to redeem the world. He did this by suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane--by atoning for our sins. As a part of this, He experienced every hard thing, heart break, and trial that we will have to go through in our lives. This isn't done as an overall "He experienced pain too, so He can understand what you feel like when you experience pain" deal. This is a "I have literally experienced exactly what you are going through at this very moment for you." The Savior understands our pains and afflictions perfectly. I am grateful for the birth of the Savior because He is the one person who will never let us down when we approach Him. If we go to Him, He will never leave us to struggle through our trials on our own. He is there for us.

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”  -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, (None Were with Him, General Conference April 2009)

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: I Can Be Forgiven

Reason 6: I'm thankful for the birth of the Savior because He enacted the Atonement so that I can be forgiven of my sins. Sins are heavy; I'm grateful that I can be relieved of them because of His sacrifice. I don't have to walk through life with regret and disappointment for deeds that have past. Freedom. Cleanliness. New beginnings. Happiness. All of this is made possible only because Jesus Christ was willing to come to this earth to atone for our sins.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  -Isaiah 1:18

Small and Simple Thing(s) #5

These are the small and simple things from my day today that let me know Heavenly Father is there:

1. I felt awesome when I woke up (leaving my warm bed usually isn't a pleasant experience for me)
2. I got an awesome seat in the library this morning
3. I got to talk to my mom
4. The friendly people in the WILK were passing out apples on one of the only days I didn't bring a lunch with me to campus
5. I texted a friend I haven't heard from in a long time--Stephen Brown!
6. When I went to the library tonight my friend, Weston, who works at the front desk told me where Emily was sitting and I got to go tell her hi
7. I didn't have to worry about cooking dinner because I got to eat at the ward activity
8. I got invited to go to the temple tomorrow with Jenna and I'm super excited to go
9. I got to go to the ward activity and see all my awesome friends
10. I got to see Diehl, which always makes me happy
11. I got to listen to my coworkers tell silly stories
12. I have MoTab on my computer to listen to so that I don't have to freak out about my Shakespeare paper
13. The library is open until 2am
14. I have friends that are awesome and willing to help out those in need
15. I have tons of people who love me

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: I Can Come Unto Him

Reason 5: One of my favorite things to think about in regards to the Savior's birth is the people who were there. I'm grateful that  the shepherds were invited. Though the world saw these men as poor and of little consequence, the Savior thought they were important enough to specifically invite them to celebrate His birth. It shows that wealth and power mean very little to Him, and helps me feel that I can approach Him when I need comfort and help, regardless of place, position, or possession. If He wanted the lowly shepherds to come unto Him, I can feel confident in knowing that He wants me to come unto Him as well.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

--Luke Chapter 2

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Shows the Importance of Service

Reason 4: Today I'm grateful for the birth of my Savior because His life exemplified that serving others is the most important thing we can do here on this earth. President Uchtdorf put it this way in October's General Conference:

“I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished.

I can’t see it.

Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time” (OnRegrets and Resolutions, October 2012 General Conference).

There are so many ways that Christ could have spent His ministry, and He chose to spend most of it loving and healing and helping those in need. When I follow His example and live my life likewise, I feel happy and at peace. I'm so grateful to know that people are more important than events or things, and that Christ shows me how to live a life based on this principle.

Small and Simple Thing #4: The Urge to Pick-Up Litter

Today I'm grateful for the urge I get to pick-up litter. On Saturday my friends and I were walking to the Marriott Center to go see Christmas Around the World (which was AWESOME!) We were half way there, walking through campus, when I saw a piece of paper on the ground and decided to pick it up and throw it away in the nearest trash bin. Once I picked it up, I realized that it was actually an envelope with two ticket to Christmas Around the World in it. On closer inspection, I realized that the tickets belonged to a girl in my ward. I called her, she confirmed that she had dropped them, and we were able to meet up and give them to her so that she and her friend was able to go to the show. Moral of the story: pick up trash. Not only does it make the scenery more pleasant, and not only does it make you awesome, but it helps you help people. Even if you're not going to pick up someone's tickets, your saving the poor grounds crews/custodians from having to pick it up. Such a small and simple thing that takes almost no time, yet enables you to make someone's day. Those sorts of things are my favorite.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He is My Light

Reason 3: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He is my light. He is the whole world's light. As I was studying it in the scriptures yesterday and today, this is what I learned:

John 8:12, 32-- He does not have this light to benefit Himself, it is there so that we can follow Him and find our way; He is the light of the whole world; Light=Truth=Christ..."The truth will make you free" = The Christ will make you free

Isaiah 60:19--This light is everlasting; it will never dim; we never have to doubt if it will go out or if it will be there for us; it is constant

John 1:9--His light is for every man (including me and YOU!); it is true

D&C 6:21--Light will always conquer darkness--and so will He

2 Nephi 10:14--He will be our light forever; He will never take a day off

3 Nephi 18:24--He is the light that we must hold up for others to see and follow

D&C 93:9--Christ gives Himself selflessly to be our light

Elder Dallin H. Oaks--"And so we see that Jesus Christ is the light of the world because He is the source of the light that quickens our understanding, because His teachings and His example illuminate our path, and because His power persuades us to do good." (The Light and Life of the World, October 1987 General Conference)

I'm so grateful for the Savior's selfless service in lighting the way for us. He could leave us in the dark to try and stumble our way back to Him, but He doesn't. Just as the star lit the Heavens on the night of His birth so that the people then could find their way to Him, He lights the way for us so that we can find our way back to our Father in Heaven. Let us follow Him--let us follow the light.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Brings Peace

Reason 2: I'm grateful for the peace which Christ brought into the world. He is the Prince of Peace. Amid crazy circumstances, we can always feel an inner calm because we know that He is there for us and that He will not let us down. His peace gives us protection, because when we feel it our desire to sin decreases. It gives us confidence in ourselves because we know that we have the most powerful beings in the universe on our side, rooting for us. It enables us to do hard things. Above all, though, it testifies that He loves us enough to let us know that everything is going to be okay. I know that my Savior wants me to feel peace because He loves me and wants me to return to Him. Every time I feel peace, it is like He's sending a love note down. They're the best nice notes ever.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  --John 14:27

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Brings Hope

Reason 1: When Christ was born, He brought hope into the world. Hope that we could be saved. Hope that there are better things ahead. Hope for new beginnings. I love the way the man in this video puts it: "What the birth of the Savior means to me is that the world has a chance to change. The world has a chance to become what He intended it to become from the beginning. The wold has a chance to accept His love and follow him." Because of the birth of the Savior, I never have to let bad circumstances get me down. I can know that there are better things ahead than what my past and present expose me to. There are second chances. Things will be okay because I have a Savior.

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."   --Ether 12:4

Why My Week Has Been Awesome

1. I went running twice with Brady Anderson, and he's kinda' crazy, but really fun!
2. I had a rockin' presidency meeting.
3. I got to talk to my AWESOME second cousin, Louisa!!!

Jared and I waiting in line for Divine Comedy!

1. I went to Divine Comedy with Jared, Sarah, Brady, and McKell. It was hilarious and super fun!
2. I got to go shopping with Ryan and we got to be goofy and have people treat us like a married couple.

Emily and I mean business when we watch the arts

We walked up to Christmas around the world with Kara and Mary...I kinda got carried away with the picture taking...

 

1. I went to Christmas Around the World with Emily and it was AMAZING! Plus, I knew six people in it (Will, Jordan, Ethan, David, Joseph, and Jamie) and they all did SO GOOD!
2. My apartment has a sweet, peaceful spirit in it, thanks to all the wonderful people who came over (Jeremy, Ryan, Sarah, Quaelii, Scott, Gentry, Stephen, Drew, and others...)
3. I spent hours preparing for the lesson I gave today. Preparing for church lessons is one of my favoritest things in the world.
4. The testimonies--spoken and unspoken--today at church were inspiring. We have so many good people in our ward (and I love them ALL!!!)
5. Dinner tonight with the clan. It was really yummy.
6. Got to watch the Christmas Devotional with the clan. Amelia gave me a back rub. My back might be starting to recover from carrying around my laptop and Shakespeare bible, thanks to her!
7. Stephen, Scott, Gentry, and Drew came over to our apartment tonight and made me really laugh! I haven't really laughed in ages!
8. It's CHRISTMAS TIME and we have a REAL CHRISTMAS TREE in our apartment!!! Plus snowflakes and lights and nativities and wrapping-papered walls. Oh, and mistletoe. 
9. I have A. MAZE. ING. roomates. They are seriously some of the greatest blessings in my life!
10. I've gone from ups to downs and back again. Heavenly Father's really good and pulling me back up.
11. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and all those I associate with. It's so easy to love those around me when I remember how much They love them. 
12. I feel that those around me sincerely care about and love me because they've shown it. Means the world to me.