EASTER MENU

EASTER MENU

UNION SQUARE CARA CARA SALAD

ROASTED CARROTS

GARLIC SCALLOPED POTATOES

 GLAZED HAM

 JEANNE'S ORANGE ROLLS

COCONUT NEST CAKE

UNION SQUARE CARA CARA SALAD

   (recently enjoyed with David in NYC)

    6 Cara Cara Oranges

    4 cups mixed salad greens, (arugula and spinach)

    6 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled

    1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

    1/2 cup orange juice

    1 cup fennel, finely chopped

    1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

    Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Peel oranges using a sharp knife, thinly slice crosswise. 

Toss together greens, crumbled ricotta, fennel, and pine nuts. 

In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice and oil until blended.  Drizzle over salad.  Toss gently and serve immediately. 

ROASTED CARROTS

3 (1-lb) bags Trader Joe's Les Petites Carrots of Many Colors 

4 tablespoons good olive oil

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Minced fresh dill or flat leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  

If carrots are thick, cut in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole.  Toss ionn a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Place on a baking sheet in one layer and roast in oven for 20 minutes.  

Toss carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, serve. 

MARTHA STEWART'S GARLIC SCALLOPED POTATOES

   (A nod to Martha - our favorite for years)

2 cloves garlic, halved

6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces, room temperature, plus more for dish

3 pounds Yukon gold or all-purpose potatoes, peeled and very thinly sliced

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3 cups heavy cream

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Rub a baking dish with garlic and butter generously.  Add the garlic cloves to the dish.  Arrange potatoes in layers in baking dish, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper and dotting with butter.  Pour cream over potatoes.  Dot top with any remaining butter.

Bake until golden and bubbling and potatoes are tender when pierced with tip of a knife, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees and continue to bake until top is brown, about 10 minutes more.  Let stand about 15 minutes before serving. 

INA GARTEN'S GLAZED HAM

1 fully cooked, spiral-cut smoked ham

6 garlic cloves

8 1/2 ounces mango chutney (Major Grey's)

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

Zest of 1 orange

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place ham in heavy roasting pan.

Mince garlic in a food processor.  Add chutney, mustard, brown sugar, orange zest and orange juice and process until smooth.  Pout glaze over ham and bake 1 hour, until fully heated and glaze is well browned.  

Serve hot or at room temperature.

JEANNE'S ORANGE ROLLS

In a small bowl combine:

1/2 cup warm water

2 tablespoons yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

Melt 1 square (1/2 cup) butter and add 2 cups milk - set aside

In a mixer combine:

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

3 cups flour

Mix in milk and butter, then add:

1 cup flour

yeast mixture

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

Add more flour as needed (about 6 1/2 cups total)

Mix or knead for 4 minutes

Let rise 1 1/2 hours

Divide dough into fourths.  Roill out into a circle and cut triangles.  Brush with butter.  Place on a baking sheet sprayed with PAM.

Let rise for 30 minutes

Bake at 400 degrees, 10-12 minutes - Let rolls cool, then frost.

Frosting:

1/3 cup softened butter

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons cream or milk

Juice of 1 orange

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

Whip together.

COCONUT NEST CAKE

Wet ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1 3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup cream of coconut (not coconut milk)

4 large eggs

Dry ingredients:

2 1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Additional ingredients

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon coconut extract

Coconut cream cheese frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon coconut extract

2 lbs. powdered sugar, more if needed

milk as needed

Toasted coconut

Separate eggs, set whites aside.

Beat wet ingredients together including egg yolks until fluffy

Sift dry ingredients together and stir well.

Add dry ingredients to wet using mixer on low alternating with buttermilk/extract mixture.

In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with a pin

ch of salt until stiff.  Fold egg whites into batter.

Line two 9-inch pans with baking spray and flour (or line bottom and sides with parchment paper.

Bake at 275 for about 90 minutes (i only baked for about 60).  

After cake is out of oven and transferred to parchment paper, poke each cake with a few holes and drizzle another 1/2 cup coconut cream over top.  

After cake completely cools, cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.

The next day, frost immediately after removing from freeze.  This keeps cake from crumbling while frosting.

Sprinkle with toasted coconut and decorate with Cadbury Eggs.

    

Treasures

CLEAVE UNTO YOUR COVENANTS

MARCH 19, 2017

Parley’s 4th Ward Conference

 

One of my simple pleasures is walking along ocean beaches hunting for sea glass.  Sea glass begins as normal shards of broken glass that are then persistently tumbled, ground and polished until the sharp edges are smoothed and rounded.  Nature takes something broken and turns it into something beautiful.  Some people consider sea glass trash, and to others it is more precious than gemstones.  I brought with me my collection – my children call me The Treasure Hunter – some of my pieces are sharp and broken and others are smooth, beautiful and translucent.  

I have been thinking a lot lately about my true life’s treasures and I would like to share with you today some thoughts about what is most precious to me. 

 

For the last seven years I have had the opportunity and blessing of serving in the Salt Lake Temple. Soon after our son departed to serve his mission, the Temple President’s secretary left several messages for my husband and me to come in for an interview.  We were both reluctant, but decided that we had better respond.  We accepted and were set apart and given wonderful blessings and promised that our service would greatly bless and strengthen our family.  Truly, temple service helped prepare us and provided an anchor for challenges that were to come.  In many ways, our rough edges were being smoothed and polished by a merciful and loving God. 

 

One of the first weeks I was there, Sister Joan Child, the temple matron shared an insight during prayer meeting.  I felt the Spirit so strongly and knew the Lord was speaking to me personally.  She read from DC 25 – 

 

“Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter…

Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee and thou art an elect lady whom I have called.”

 

Sister Child told us that the Lord is also speaking to each of us, to me and to you.  He tells us who we are – His Daughters – Elect Ladies – he loves and values us – and gives us the blessing of forgiveness and a calling and a true identity, His Daughter, A Daughter of God.  

 

The Lord then counsels:

“Thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.”

“Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.”  

 

Truly the Temple and the Covenants I have made with the Lord are the treasures of my life.  

 

When we come to the Lord’s house – he washes us clean and forgives us.  He anoints and blesses us.  We are clothed and taught the wonderful Plan of Salvation.  We are guided and given Power and the Lord reveals himself to us.  

 

In DC 88:68 we discover  a glorious promise:

Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see Him, for He will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in His own time, and in His own way, according to His own will.  

 

I love the story of Anna in the New Testament. 

 

Luke tells us that Anna was a prophetess.  She had been a widow for many years and served patiently and diligently in the temple night and day, Because of her great faith, service and sacrifice, at the age of 84,  Anna was blessed to see the Christ Child. 

 

Simeon was also blessed to see Jesus:

 

There was also a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  Luke 2:25-35

 

My mother-in-law, Alice Burbidge passed away in January at the age of 91.  She had been a widow for nearly 30 years.  She was generous and worked hard all her life.  She raised six great children who gave beautiful tributes to their faithful mother.  At the close of the funeral service, her bishop spoke and said he had recently visited Alice. Her last request was that he check to make sure her temple recommend was current.  She had not been able to attend for many years but her covenants were always in her heart.  Alice’s temple sealing to her husband and children were her treasures.  The things of this world were no longer important.   She was sanctified and ready to meet her Savior.    

 

Sarah Rich was a righteous woman living in Nauvoo who was called to serve in the temple prior to the Saints being expelled from the city.  These are her words about the blessings of temple covenants:

 

“Many were the blessings we had received in the House of the Lord, which has caused us joy and comfort in the midst of all our sorrows and enabled us to have faith in god, knowing He would guide us and sustain us in the unknown journey that lay before us.” 

 

During the 20 years my daughter Holly has been married, she has lived away from home.  She said one of the things she misses most is coming home for Sunday dinner;  feeling the comfort, peace and the love of family.  She has been grateful that in each city she has lived, San Francisco, Denver, New York and Dallas, there has been a temple -The House of the Lord; a home away from home, where she can go to feel the warmth, welcome and love of our Savior and Heavenly Father, to feel the comforts of home.  We, also, are very blessed to have our beautiful pioneer Salt Lake Temple so near where we can also be welcomed and truly feel at home - blessed and strengthened in the Lord's Holy House.

 

Every temple experience gives us another chance to discover the truth about who we are, about our sojourn on earth and how we can change and become more like our Savior, polished and perfected.  We can feel at home, strengthened, fed and renewed.  

 

In the temple we are endowed with power, power to meet every challenge – power to know which decision to make – power to guide our families.

 

To partake of and receive temple blessings the Lord requires faithfulness, commitment and sacrifice.  He requires surrendering our will to His - a contrite and broken heart.  

 

Sister Sheri Dew said:

 

We covenant to remember Him.  What one thing would you be willing to give up, starting today, to put the Savior even more at the center of your life?  What one thing would you be willing to do, starting today, to unlock more of His power?  The Savior’s grace is what will enable us to do what He is counting on us to do in the twilight of this great culminating gospel dispensation.”  

 

The spirit will whisper to each of us how we can better remember our Savior and I would suggest that one of the ways is regularly going to His House – the House of the Lord – there you will find answers, guidance, comfort and peace.  “Lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better….Lift up your heart and rejoice, Cleave to the covenants you have made.” 

Elder Renlund spoke at the Temple Devotional in November and explained that the Temple Seals and Heals.  He quoted from Ezekial chapter 47  -describing waters flowing out from the temple,bringing life and healing  even to the Dead Sea.  He promised that the temple has the Power not only to Seal but Heal our Families.  What a treasured blessing.  For that I am most grateful.  

 

Recently, I attended the Newport Beach Temple and prayed beforehand, the Lord would comfort and bless me and teach me something I needed to know.  I have been praying to know how help a treasured, beloved child and bring peace to my heart. I left the temple – feeling happy but had not received the answer for which I was searching.  I drove to my daughter Jessica’s home a short distance away, and as I was holding my newborn granddaughter, Pearl Marguerite, the Spirit whispered to my heart and this scripture came to mind:

 

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to bind up the broken-hearted…

To appoint unto them that mourn – beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning.”  Isaiah 61:1,3

 

As I looked at that perfect, pure, beautiful baby, I realized, “here is my beauty for ashes, my oil of joy for mourning.”  I have been so very blessed – I am so very grateful and realized I need to focus on my joys not my sorrow.  I have faith that the temple has power to Seal and Heal and that someday our family and yours will receive that promised blessing.  

I testify that as we faithfully go to the Temple, the Lord will answer our prayers.  He shows us His wounds and heals ours.  He binds up the broken-hearted - Just as shards of broken glass are tumbled and polished into something beautiful, He will give beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. 

 

In a recent BYU Devotional, Casey Bud explained:

 

When we turn our broken pieces over to the Savior, our gaps are filled with Him – with His perfection – and we are made complete; we are finished by the Great Creator through the restorative power of “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).  We come to know the Savior not just by recognizing and reverencing His scars, but by recognizing and reverencing our own.  We are bound to the Savior through our mutual scars, “and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

 

It is my prayer that the Temple can be a beacon of strength and an anchor in our lives and we can feel at home there.   I pray we can “Lift up our hearts and rejoice and cleave to the covenants we have made - that our rough and broken edges can be polished and made beautiful through the Atonement of 

Jesus Christ. 

Home & Shepherds

I love Homecoming Stories, Dorothy in her ruby slippers, exclaiming, “There’s No Place Like Home – LeBron James’ heartfelt return to his hometown crowd - delivering Cleveland a long awaited championship. Those of you who have read “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy will remember Frodo Baggins, after destroying the ring of power, returns to his beloved Shire – the deepest desire of his heart.  This pattern, Tolkien called “there and back” is so ingrained in the human narrative – think of The Prodigal Son, the soldier returning home from war and the missionary after faithful service.  Truly, there is No Place Like Home. After 7 years, It is good to be back - We are grateful to be Home for Christmas.

 

I love this Primary song:

Jesus is my shepherd

I’m His little lamb

If I stray or lose my way

I can call to Him.  

He will not leave me behind,

He loves His little lambs, He’ll come and find me.  He will not leave me alone,

He will bring me safely home.

 

I would like to share a few thoughts today of Home and Shepherds.

 

We were blessed to worship with the Parley’s Single Adult Saints for over four years.  Most of that time was spent in the magnificent Granite Tabernacle.  How blessed we were to meet in that historic and beautiful building.  It felt like Home to me.  I loved the light streaming through the windows, illuminating the back wall with the gold leaf words, “The Glory of God is Intelligence.”  I love the Garden of Eden mural, the balcony, the fireplaces, the Ballroom, the Parrot Room – the craftsmanship and architecture of this grand, old Tabernacle.  Every Sunday I was uplifted and blessed by beautiful music, inspiring messages, filled with the Spirit of Light and truth.  Most of all I loved the sacrament, so quiet and still – renewing and remembering covenants and looking out at the dear members and realizing how very much they loved the Lord.  This was our spiritual home and truly our ward family.

 

As we worshipped together, prayed together, served together, this scripture became real for us:

 

“Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”

Ephesians 2:19

Dave and I were personally blessed to be embraced by this ward family – a home and place of peace and refuge.  

 

The members of the PSA ward were blessed with leaders who gave their best to help each individual on their journey of faith.  Our Bishop, Chris Nielsen was a wonderful Shepherd.  He truly loved and knew each member by name and their individual stories.  He is an amazing man who was chosen, called and guided by the hand of the Lord to stand at the helm – ordained with the mantle and holding the keys to minister, organize and bless such a large congregation which at one point reached over 800 members – to guide each individual on their path to return to our Heavenly home. 

 

Before receiving this calling, I always knew that some callings were inspired but thought that many times leaders just had to fill slots.  The Lord has humbled me and taught me otherwise.  I personally witness that our calling to serve with Bishop Nielson and his wife Heidi was a calling from a loving God.  He knew us and I now recognize His merciful hand in my life.  I know the Lord was watching over Dave and me as we were called to serve in Parleys 7th.  It was not by chance but a sacred tender mercy given by a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and cares about the details of our lives.

Last Spring, we were visiting our daughter Jessica and her husband, Matt Menlove in California as he was ordained to the Bishopric of their ward.  Matt bore his testimony, and told of meeting with the Stake President as he extended the call to serve.  This wise man counseled, “sometimes the Lord extends a call for you to rescue others, but more often than not, as you serve faithfully, you are the person the Lord rescues.”  Our calling was a great blessing to us.  The past several years have been a time of great personal trial.  Bishop Nielson and Heidi loved and rescued us.  We are eternally grateful for their wise counsel, love, understanding, and friendship.  I am grateful for all the ward members for their goodness and kindness.  We loved them and they loved us.  

For many in the Singles Ward, their lives have not gone according to plan.  They suffered disappointments, heartache and loneliness; yet were there to worship and serve.  Service was our watchword. Each member had a calling and our Bishop, as our shepherd, found a place for each member of His flock.  St. Joseph’s Villa, Fill the Pot at Pioneer Park serving alongside the Calgary Baptist Church – many were called as Scout Leaders, Primary teachers, Young Men and Young Women leaders serving in wards needing help and support. I have never witnessed such a Spirit of Service. Yesterday I received a beautiful handmade card from Kari, one of our Single Friends.  It didn’t have a family photo, she has not been blessed with a husband or children; but nourishes an eternal perspective.  Kari shared her light and faith with this message: :  “JOY has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”  

 

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  Matthew 16 :24-25

 

This is the Lord’s perfect plan.  As we serve each other, we are buoyed up, blessed, strengthened and our own burdens become light.  We can more clearly feel the Lord’s love and our testimonies are strengthened.  Gratitude increases.   One of the greatest blessings of service is that we grow to love those for whom we sacrifice.  

 

One of my favorite P7 “Homecoming Stories” was told by Emily.  She had been inactive in the Church for over 18 years and was contemplating having her name removed from the records of the church.  Her roommate was persistent and continued to invite her - “just come to church with me today, I think you will really feel at home in my ward.”  Emily came, reluctantly,and when she sat down before sacrament meeting, she felt a familiar warmth.  Memories, came flooding back from childhood.  As the hymns were sung, she remembered familiar words.  As the water was passed during the sacrament, she remembered the sound of the tinkling water cups and felt the love of the Lord. She heard the Spirit whisper -  “this is home, the place you need to be.”  Emily kept attending, worked with the Bishop, served and shared her sacred “Homecoming” story with the congregation. 

 

I love this CS Lewis passage -The Last Battle, Chronicles of Narnia:

 

"I have come home at last!  This is my real country!  I belong here.  This is the Land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now."

 

I know our Heavenly Father watches over us and will show us the way and direct our paths home to Him. He provides Shepherds to bring us back into the fold.  He will seek us out – He will carry us and make us whole. He will provide opportunities for us to shepherd and strengthen fellow travelers.  

 

 

I bear testimony that the Lord knows each of us.  We are numbered, remembered and nourished to keep us in the right way.    

 

And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the Church of Christ, and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ who was the author and finisher of their faith.  Moroni 6:4

 

The Singles ward home and family was a sacred moment in time.  I think it is interesting that the Lord many times calls His people to come and build up and then asks us to move on – whether it be to a new location or a new calling.  The Pioneers were well acquainted with this process as are missionaries who serve for a time and then move to a new area.  This is how the Lord builds His Church, this is how he nourishes and sanctifies His people.  This is His pattern.  I am eternally grateful for the time we worshipped and served together.  P7 was a unique and wonderful ward and we will forever enjoy bonds of friendship and love. Now we are grateful for a new beginning – a new chapter, a new opportunity to serve and grow.  

 

I am grateful for this Christmas Season – a time of celebration, of joy, of service, of really contemplating the role Jesus Christ plays in our individual lives.    As each year passes, I recognize how much the Lord has blessed, guided and watched over me.  I love the Shepherds in the Christmas narrative:

 

And there were in that same country, Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night – and the glory of the Lord shone round about them…. Luke 2:9

 

I recognize and am grateful for the Shepherds in my life.  Yesterday I was privileged to attend an endowment session at the Salt Lake Temple.  My 88 year old Father presented a part in the ordinances and my heart was filled with gratitude for this wise Shepherd whose faith and testimony have provided me with a firm foundation.

 

Recently I was reminded of my very unfortunate Bike Ride Adventure, The Veyo Loop in Saint George.  We started with some our children and as I struggled to keep up – they left me in the dust.  Thankfully, my dear husband remained with me as I slowly made my way up the very steep incline.  I was not prepared – had no water, phone or money for pie at the top of the hill.   I was not trained to ride so hard and so far and didn’t know how I was going to make it home.  Dave literally pushed me from behind for the last ten miles.  I was grateful that when I was weak, he was there to help me home.  He is my shepherd in so many ways.   

 

I am grateful for our dear Relief Society President, Mary who has watched over me.  I am grateful for our kind and wise President Sorenson and Bishop Webber , who truly are our Shepherds and have ministered, watched over us and provided opportunities to prepare us for our challenges. I am grateful for Brother Skip Brooks who shares lovingkindness and eternal perspective.  

 

- And the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.

- And the angel said unto them,

- Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy,

- which shall be to all people

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

- And this shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  

- 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.  

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

- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  

 

When our son was a small boy, we were given a Harry Anderson print of the resurrected Christ.  It is beautiful and Christ is coming forth with glory in the clouds – concourses of angels surround Him.  I asked our little son about the painting and he replied, “that is Jesus and all Him friends.”

 

Throughout the years I’ve thought a lot about my little boy’s pure, sweet testimony of our Savior.  I have asked myself, “how can I become His friend – how can I show my love for Him – how can I feel His Holy spirit and recognize His hand leading and guiding me as I journey through this life?  Where can I find Him? Do I come with haste and make His presence known?

 

-And the Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.  

 

When our son was serving his mission, he wrote a letter home titled “A Friend of Jesus.”

 

“With friendship and the impact of service on my mind, I have been asking the Lord if I am doing this right.  My answer came in DC 84:77 – And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends.  It is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends”

….The greatest friend I have made on my mission has been the Lord.  When no one else understands, he does.  He has truly been beside me preaching His gospel and truly what greater friend can we gain in this life?”

 

I love the holiday movie, Mr. Kruger's Christmas - "in the final scene, the lonely widower is talking to the Savior:

 

“Hello there.  I’m Willie Kruger, the custodian over at the Beck Apartments, but you know that don’t you? Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.  As long as I can remember you’ve been right by my side.  I’ll never forget when you walked with me in those first few hours, after I lost Martha.  I’ve always been able to count on you, when I felt dark inside – You were right there.  Every time. Even when I didn’t feel good about myself, I knew that you cared for me and that made me feel better.  I love you.  You are my closest, my finest friend.  And that means that I can hold my head high, wherever I go.  Thank you thank you.”

 

 

We become His friend by serving others and obeying His commandments --- we have His promise: 

Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer;

Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.”  Isaiah 58:9 

 

I was recently reading this scripture and noticed something new – the word “house”: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”  Matthew 5:15  Our light and influence shine brightest and are most influential in our own house.  

 

I have loved the Church’s Christmas Initiative – Light the World – in 25 Ways over 25 Days. Our light will be a blessing to all that are in the house, the household of God – our house of worship, our own circle of influence of family, friends, neighbors and strangers placed in our path.   I know that as we Share our light – give of ourselves and serve,  the Lord will bless and magnify our efforts.  He will watch over and bless us.    I pray you will know and feel how very much He loves you,  and trust in His promises.  

 

Last year, I had the privilege of attending a Salt Lake Temple Devotional held in the Solemn Assembly Room.  Elder Cook spoke and told us that the Twelve have been hesitant to share sacred experiences – but have felt that sometimes they must boldly share their testimonies of Jesus Christ.  He then said something I will never forget:  “I want you to know that I know the Savior’s face and I know His voice.”

 

“Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us.  God loves us, he is watching us, he wants us to succeed and return home. President  Ezra T. Benson

 

I am so very grateful for the birth, life and atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I love Him.  He truly is our Shepherd and our Finest Friend.  Because He lives, we will someday arrive at our ultimate destination – home to that God who gave us life – 

 

I pray our hearts and homes will be filled with the Spirit of Christmas - the spirit of light and hope – comfort and joy and that we will feel Him near. I give thanks for our Shepherd, our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who surely came to save us all.