"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God." - C.S. Lewis
Merry Christmas. Sigh. It has definitely been a month of ups and downs. We have tried to enjoy the festivities of the season without making life too chaotic and crazy. Our month has been spent going to a couple neighborhood cookie parties, a candy store tour with Garrett's preschool, a Christmas magic show at the library, seeing the Christmas lights at Thanksgiving Point, Garrett's preschool Christmas party, my work open house, attending the "Here Comes Santa Claus" concert done by the Utah Symphony, helping with a Sub-for-Santa, going to the LDS Church History Museum and seeing many friends and family members. I did get a couple breaks with a massage one afternoon and another day catching a matinee of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." Along with the fun things, Garrett has had three trips to the doctor and been on three anti-biotics. He has had this cold junk with some croup and bronchitis thrown in. He's starting to get well with just a transient cough here and there.
How are we coping with everything? As I always say, we're ok. There have been more tears this month for obvious reasons. It is quite tender. I think it's the combination of the holiday season along with approaching the one year anniversary. Sigh. I feel like I've already lived about eight lifetimes already. I truly love Christmas music but that has brought some rough moments too.
"And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Isreal." - Luke 2:34
"Lying among those gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were also a crown of thorns, a makeshift royal robe, and a Roman spear. You can't separate Bethlehem from Gethsemane or the hasty flight into Egypt from the slow journey to the summit of Calvary. It's of one piece. It is a single plan. It considers the 'fall and rising again of many in Isreal,' but always in that order. Christmas is joyful not because it is a season or decade or lifetime without pain and privation, but precisely because life does hold those moments for us." - Jeffery R. Holland
I used these three quotes earlier today. At the start of the month I was asked to be the speaker during our Christmas service. I'd be lying if I didn't admit it added a degree of difficulty to this month. I said "Yes" realizing what an amazing opportunity it is to speak of Christ on Christmas Day. I did my best to sob my eyes out late last night hoping to all but dehydrate myself so I wouldn't cry Sunday morning. I managed to hold it together fairly well. Garrett and I then enjoyed an extremely quiet afternoon at home playing with toys, talking with family and going to bed early (......well, he did but I am hoping to as well.)
We hope you have all had a wonderful and safe Christmas weekend. Life isn't perfect, but we're doing pretty good. We have a relatively quiet week ahead of us as we get ready for New Years. (Obviously mixed emotions there too.........hmmmmmm.........I think I'm noticing a pattern this year.) Have a Merry Christmas and know we love you much!
Love .................. Tanya
