Day 5,6,7 and 8-25 days to a more Christ centered Christmas

Day 5
Read Luke 1:32-35
Watch Muppet Christmas Carol
Book of Mormon 30 day challenge
2Nephi 10-21

Day 6
Read Jeremiah 33:14-16
Book of Mormon 30 day challenge
2Nephi 22-29

Day 7-
Isaiah 40:1-4
Book of Mormon 30 day challenge
2Nephi 30-Jacob 5

Day 8
Role play Luke 2

Giving baby kisses!

Book of Mormon 30 day challenge
Jacob 6-Mosiah 2

Read last years December 2013
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7 and 8

Leaving your footprints-Who will you follow?Who will follow you?

I am still taking my advice from the ocean.I turned to one of my favorite poems. I love the poem Footprints in the sand.In our hardest times the Lord and Savior carries us.Isn't it interesting if we look at this poem that this person in the dream assumes that when there is only one set of foot prints the Lord has left us.It is easy to feel alone if we do not know he is there.He has left his footprints for us to follow in his path.He has provided the way and all we have to do is follow him.It does not mean it will be easy.We need to let him carry us and not think that we can do it on our own or that no one understands.

Likewise, as we leave footprints or part of ourselves in the hearts of our family;we leave a memory and legacy behind for them to follow.We are all on a journey.The imprint itself is representative of your impact and influence on others lives Footprints represent the impression or life lessons we leave behind us.

2-Sometimes in the waves of change we find our true direction. 

   
Or just grab a body board and catch a wave with your Dad!:-)



The challenge is to ask any or all of these questions and if you need make some adjustments if needed and ask who are you following?

So where are you in your journey?

Are you looking back at all the difficulties you have been having?

Do you know what you want out of life?

What does your family and friends think about what you should do?Listen to them.In fact if there is someone you admire their way of being;walk a little in their footsteps.This may be someone who has dealt with a similar situation.

Do you need to escape the realities of life if you could?

Are you discontent with anything in your life that may be preventing you from moving on?Is there someone we have affected and need to own up to our responsibility in it?

Is there anything confusing you presently that may affect your future?

Are you searching for more peace in your life?

Day 2,3 and 4-25 days to a more Christ centered Christmas(Share the gift)

Day 2-
Read Isaiah 9:2-7
We hid Jesus again with a clue:
Wake up!Christ is coming!
Book of Mormon 30 day challenge
1 Nephi 12-17

Day 3-
Read John 3:16
Watch

Last year we wrote gifts we wanted to give the Savior.Today we opened and read them to see how we did!Tomorrow we will write new ones.

Book of Mormon 30 day challenge 

1Nephi 18-2 Nephi 1

Day 4-
Read Micah5:2-5
Book of Mormon 30 day challenge
2Nephi 2-9

See last years December 2013 ideas:
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Intentions for December -Remember to serve others

I was struck by a to do list that someone shared on Facebook. In the list she wrote:
Buy BE presents
Buy DONATE food
Wrap gifts someone in a hug
Send gifts PEACE
Make cookies LOVE
See BE the lights

This is really what the holidays are about GIVING of ourselves and FAMILY.We only have one more of the "ber" months. Let us REMEMBER those in need and not too busy with buying that we miss opportunities to serve.We like to get most if not all our shopping done before Thanksgiving. It is not always easy but we have so much more time for each other! What will your to do list look like now?Maybe

Buy presents for a child in need
Donate money to cancer children
Write a letter to someone
Don't get too wrapped up in hustle and bustle
Make cookies for a neighbor

1.Get outside daily
2.Exercise once a week.This sadly has been on my list for a while, but unless you want to count chasing my kids around,then sadly I have failed.:-(
3.Take a day each week to have nothing going on and just be with my family.
4.Write list of all activities  we want to do for December 
5.Choose a few service projects to do with my family.
6.Get rid of visible clutter
7.Keep my kitchen counters clear!

25 days to a more Christ centered home

Each year I try to make Christmas and its focus more about Christ.Last year we had daily devotionals.I am trying it again,starting with what the tree symbolizes and how it all leads to Christ.(see more by following the link above)

We made our countdown chain.Simple!

I hid the baby Jesus for the kids to find and talked about how we are all searching to be with him someday and follow his light to get us there.

I also gave our family the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 30 days.At first the kids thought they couldn't do it.Then we all sat down and read and they wanted to keep going! What better way to come to know Christ,then to read the scriptures! 

Day 1-1Nephi 1-11

I am my own worst enemy-How to stop comparing and be more confident in yourself

I have been in a funk lately,complete with random mood swings and crying.In fact,if someone met me they would not see the real me.Who knows what would set me off.I am a walking bomb. It is like I am not in control of myself any more.Somewhere, along the mountain of stress and pulls on my time,I lost sight of my happiness blueprint. I not only lost sight of it but I crumbled it up and stomped on it!This is all metaphorically speaking,of course.Also,I want to point out that this craziness did not happen overnight. Who's fault would this be?....Me,myself and I!

Does this sound familiar?

Over the last few years it has been sneaking up on me.I thought I was past the ugly doom cloud, depression. The truth is no matter how you look on the outside; on the inside there is an inner struggle that is unseen to the naked eye.We are the hardest on ourselves.This negative thinking can happen without us even being fully aware it is happening.

Who do you compare yourself to?What are your weaknesses?Do you see only your imperfections? Are you feeling rushed,busy and uneasy?Do you think your house is too messy compared to your neighbors? I think you get the idea,right?

I am still letting it all sink in.As winter is nipping at our doors I find myself wanting to go home.I want to go to my beaches and soak up the sun.The beach is my happy place.For this reason I have decided to take some advice from the ocean.

#1 Be patient and "shore" of yourself

Shores are influenced by its surrounding landscape, as well as by constant erosion from the waves.Are we any different? We are shaped and influenced by people,places and things around us.Life can take a lot out of us,until bit by bit,we are changed.This change can be slow or drastic.It can eat away at us.So how can we accept this change and be strong?

The answer is simple, but the execution of this process is ongoing.....

 Do not allow any negativity from any outside influence matter to you.

Obstacles and barriers will come into our lives.If you focus and worry about these trials, your perspective is blocked.They seem too big and you are swallowed up by the enormity of it all. If you on the other hand relax and tell yourself reassuring things,you often realize that those problems and negative feelings are a creation of your own mind.

My challenge this week is to tell yourself how awesome you are and to dream and see all that is available to you.I want you to wake up and think these happy thoughts.I hope this positive self talk trickles into writing several goals down.Have confidence in your abilities. Ask God to show them to you.He can help you see,for he sees you for all that you are and will be!Get to know who you are!When you truly know yourself and what you want out of life;you will have more confidence in yourself and what you can do!

Here are a few more hints if you are having trouble seeing your best qualities.

• Think about what people have complimented you on before.
• What did you used to be good at? 
• Who do you admire?What qualities do they possess that you would like to develop?

Whether you are stuck,depressed or just overwhelmed,give this a try and soon you will see all the amazing things you can do.Yes, YOU have an important part to play in life.Life is too short to waste.Start now!

November intentions-Remember to be grateful

It is November and brrrrr our nights and mornings are getting chilly.We had the power go out last week.We made dinner on our grill and set out candles.We have 2 fire places too!It was wonderful for us all to be together.This time of year is about being with family and remembering to be grateful.

Here is last months intentions. Whoops I only got a few of those marked off.I did take several bags to the D.I. though!

1.Look ahead the next 4-6 months.Mark important dates in Calendar.
2.Check my Christmas budget and gift lists.Also,buy tape and paper.
3.Take family Christmas card photo.
4.Plan dates with husband and kids.
5.Plan 15 minutes in morning and evening to myself.
6.Exercise once per week.
7.Prune trees and bushes.
8.Finish covering my living room chairs.

Here is my revised list......Look familiar? :-P
1.Look ahead the next 4-6 months.Fall is the beginning of unpredictable weather and busy schedules.
2.Check my Christmas budget and gift lists.Also,buy tape and paper.
3.Take family Christmas card photo.
4.Plan dates with husband and kids.
5.Plan 15 minutes in morning and evening to myself.
6.Yoga and meditation at least once per week.
7.Finish organizing toys and hopefully(fingers crossed),getting rid of lots of them.
8.Re-discover what I love.What are my passions?What did I used to love?Writing a book has always been a dream...