Finding JOY in the Journey

This year my focus has been on finding JOY in the journey of life. This roller coaster ride has been full of ups and downs, joy and sadness, hope and fear... As I reflected on all that I've learned about finding JOY, I re-read an article in the April 2012 Ensign by Elder David A. Bednar. I realized that the most important thing I've learned this year is that the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is what makes it possible to find JOY in life even through the difficult times. It is the Atonement that brings peace and gives us the hope to hang on. It's that hope that helps us to faithfully, and cheerfully, endure to the end, even on those days when we feel like we just can't do it any more.

Elder Bednar reminds us: "The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power."

The Savior has promised us peace as we "come unto him." He literally gives us the strength to bear more than we think possible. And when we are about to give into darkness and despair,  if we will turn towards His light, we will find that peace and yes, even JOY in this journey of life.

the JOY of SNOW

We were blessed with a white Christmas! It's been extremely cold but the kids don't seem to mind as long as there is snow on the ground.

 

 They practiced their ice skating skills on every patch of ice they could find.

 Zane even found his hat from our adopted grandma from Idaho. We were helping the neighbor unload a trailer of wood on a cool, fall day. Grandma Adkins was worried about Zane's ears getting cold and found this hat in her truck for him to wear. His jeans kept sliding off too so she dug in and found a small piece of rope to use as a belt. She was always there to save the day and knew just how to take care of us.

Funny how things can cause a flashback and a flood of memories...

 The cats have not been too happy with the cold. 

 Morgan discovered she could break the snow into blocks. They used the wagon to haul the blocks up near the house and then spent the afternoon building an igloo. It only reached 19 degrees but there wasn't any wind so that made it a nice day to be outside.

I kept going out to see if they were frozen but they were busy working and didn't want to come inside.

When they did come in, they created their own games to play. We have boxes and boxes of games from the store but they still like to make up their own. This was a car racing game. They also made a "Pin the Nose on the Reindeer" game.

Happy, cold December!

Merry Christmas!

After church on Sunday I told the kids to hurry because there was a surprise waiting. They of course questioned me the whole way home. I hinted that it might be dinner was ready and waiting. They did NOT think that was a good surprise. We pulled into the drive way and saw Dad's truck so I told them the surprise was that Dad was home early. Better, but still not entirely impressed.

We came inside and Scott told them to stand in front of their bedroom doors. We then counted to three and they opened their doors to find Brittany in one room and Levi in the other. That was a good surprise!

It's been a few years since we were together for Christmas. We made goodies and taught Brit how to roast a turkey. We played games, listened to music, and got really silly. And we ate until our tummies were about to burst. Then we went to bed so we could get up in the morning and do it all again. 

 (Homemade Peppermint Bark Chex Mix)

We spent Christmas Eve watching our favorite Christmas movies and eating all the goodies. It was so wonderful to be together! We dismantled our old VCR player and tried to get it to work. (We still have lots of VHS tapes, including our favorite "Muppet Family Christmas" we desperately wanted to watch.) The player is just wore out!

We were all up at 5:30 this morning so we could open presents before Scott went to work. The paper and bows were flying and the kids were laughing and giggling. We ate cinnamon rolls and had hot chocolate before we loaded Brit and Levi back into their car. I tried to convince them there was too much snow and they would have to stay one more day but they both needed to get back for work. So we sent them off with prayers for safe travels and hearts full of gratitude for a few days together.

Now to clean up the house. Time to get rid of some things and make room for all the new gifts.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Prep for Landing

Christmas day is sneaking up on me! This was the kids final week of school so we've been busy with parties and gifts and treats, oh my! I've made my list and checked it twice.

 Christmas cookies made. Check.

 Gingerbread house made. Check.

 Gifts for teachers and classmates and the bus driver too. Check!

 Packages boxed up...

And ready to send. Check and double check!

And taking time to pause and remember that the Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ.

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus."

The JOY of an Ugly Sweater

Scott sent me a text Monday afternoon stating he needed an "ugly Christmas sweater" by Wednesday morning. I added "Salvation Army" to my list of errands for Tuesday morning and hoped I could find something there that would work.

The men's sweaters were either brown or Huskers red. Too plain. Then I turned to the women's rack and found a soft sweater in shades of burgundy, green, and gold stripes. I wasn't sure if it would be big enough to fit Scott but decided we would make it fit. There weren't any other options.

As I drove home I tried to think of what I could do to make it a little more festive. We had a $50 Cabelas gift card at stake here. A Christmas tree applique might work... Or maybe a reindeer with a big red nose and a string of jingle bells stuck in his antlers... humm... Or a cat. A Christmas cat... One thing was for sure, it had to have bright, gold jingle bells!

Scott came home for lunch to take a look at the sweater. He suggested a horse with a Santa hat. Then one thing led to another (the jingle bells were a must) and when Scott came home from work I was putting the finishing touches on our creation.

Yes. That is a horse pooping jingle bells. What else would a cowboy wear?

So perfectly perfect! In fact, we won first place at the annual Dinklage Feedlot ugly Christmas sweater contest! Woot! I have finally found what I am good at.

Zane was intrigued as he watched me stitch on the horse. When I added the jingle bells he was thrilled and begged me to make him one just like it. Maybe next year my boys will all have matching sweaters.

Sick Little Bug

Morgan has been SO excited to change her earrings. She constantly reminded us that on December 8th she would be wearing different earrings and even had them all planned out.

Friday, she came home with a headache and fever. Saturday, the 8th, she laid on the couch all day and barely moved. She was bummed that she didn't get to change her earrings. I told her we would see how she felt in the morning.

I had a meeting before church and planned to take Zane with me but only stay through Sacrament Meeting. When I got out of the shower I heard Morgan coughing. That croupy cough that all my kids get with every cold. She was crying and struggling to breathe. We tried steam and got her to stop crying but she still couldn't breathe. The temp outside was below freezing with 30 mph winds so we tried the cold air. Nothing.

I was contemplating an ER visit and emailed my secretary to let her know I would not be at church. She just happened to have some left over medicine for the nebulizer and quickly brought it over.
She was our angel!

On Tuesday, Morgan still had a fever and we were out of medicine. Thankfully I was able to get her into the doctor that day! After one dose of antibiotics and another breathing treatment she was ready to sit at the table and eat dinner with us. Big change!

Wednesday morning she decided to try school and insisted on wearing new earrings. Finally!

So glad my Morgan Bug is feeling better!

Christmas Music JOY

Morgan was sick and missed her school Christmas program. She wanted to to go so she could watch the kids perform but couldn't even sit up for dinner, so we stayed home Monday night.

Zane's program was held during the day and it happened to be Scott's day off. We sat together in the crowded gym and watched as the kindergartners filed in. Zane's face lit up when he saw us. He waved and then took his place on the risers. The principal introduced the music teacher and Zane gave us that look that seemed to say, "Watch this!"

The kids did a great job! Zane bopped his head to the music and knew all of the words and hand motions to the songs. They sang some fun songs about Santa and toys but they also sang "Silent Night" and "Away in a Manger" in loud clear voices. I choked back tears as I heard their sweet voices sing about the birth of our Savior. And when the principal said, "God bless you" at the end of the program I was wiping my eyes. 

(One of the songs.)

I am so thankful to live in a place where they are not afraid to talk about God at school. I am so thankful to be able to go to a "Christmas" program at the elementary school. 

"God bless us, every one!"

Christmas Photo Shoot

We played with the camera in front of the tree . . .

"HO! HO! HO!"

And then decided to try a family picture . . .

 

 How we felt after a few attempts! The lighting in our old house is HORRIBLE so it took some playing with the camera to get something decent.

 Merry Christmas from the Landers Family!