Fix A Flat Builds Testimony.. Who Knew?!?

I really need to post about my testimony a bit today. Over the years of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I have often wondered how people gain a testimony.

Over the years, I have really tried to do what the Lord has asked of me. In some areas, I have failed miserably, in others I have done better.

What I have noticed, is that the more I choose to follow the teachings of Christ and "prove the Lord, herewith" I see that not only do I feel a greater desire to make better choices, but I have started to have aversions to choices that would lead me away from these good feelings I have been having.

So, this being said, WHY do I have a picture of "Fix A Flat" in this post? WELL, I walked out of my office to go home and before I got in the car, I felt prompted to look at my tires. I never look at my tires. I don't care about my tires. They don't excite me in the least. So, I looked at my tires and one of them was flat. I figured I must have ran over something.

I immediately called my husband to come and help me change the tire. I sat in the car and waited for him to come. When he got there, I popped the trunk and saw my little miracle. The can of Fix A Flat!!! I swear the thing smiled at me.

I filled the tire (DO NOT get this stuff on your hands... it STINKS!!!) and was able to drive home without incident.

Why do you ask does this help my testimony?!?!?

We are constantly being counseled by the prophets of the Church to be prepared; financially, food storagely, spiritually, etc. (Remember the parable of the 10 Virgins?)

I decided a long time ago, that I would buy a fancy, schmancy First Aid kit as well as an Emergency Road Side Car Breakdown Sort of Thing kit and keep them in the trunk of my car.

I WAS PREPARED!!!!! I actually started getting a little weepy on the way home sharing my little testimony builder with my hubby over the phone.

I know that to some you may think that this is no big deal, but the moral of my story is, Listen to the Counsel of the Lord. This moment in my life gave me the little boost I need to better stock our food storage, save as much money as our budget will allow and do all I can to be temple worthy.

Weighty Issues

Sooo.... A new year is upon us.

As I begin to ponder what I want to accomplish this year, I turn inward. I want to lose weight, no, I NEED to lose weight. But I also want to make my life healthier overall. My goal is to not look at changing my eating habits (which are horrible) as a temporary fix, but something to shape and modify for the better for a lifetime.

I also want to incorporate exercise into my everyday life. If I have the time to watch TV every night, I have the time to exercise.

Mike and I went to California for Thanksgiving. We flew. I guess my "A-ha" moment was when I couldn't get the seatbelt on the plane fastened. I cried the whole flight. (The weird thing was, that I got it fastened on both of our flights on the way home.) Anyhoo, it was a horrible moment.

Mike and I are also trying to have a baby. I have PCOS (which doesn't help with the weight gain OR the baby making). It will also be a LOT healthier for me (and baby) when I do get pregnant.

So, I am putting it all out there. My heart is on my sleeve, I am sharing this with all who read this and will be updating my blog with my progress. I really would like to hear from others who are dealing with the same thing.

Consider this my "Before" picture, people!!!!!

Like Buttah Baby!!

OK, I LOVE wrapping Christmas presents. I am really old-school about it. I REFUSE to use gift bags at Christmas, if I can help it. I love the smell of the tape (I have issues, I know), picking out the paper for each gift, finishing it off with the perfect ribbon (the crown jewel of the gift) and standing back and admiring my handiwork. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Scotch (the makers of the tape, not the booze) came out with this gift wrap cutter.

I bought it, and had my reservations.

Then.... I sat down at the table, chose the gift, picked my paper and after measuring the right amount, I held my breath as I apprehensively positioned the cutter.

I pushed my hand forward and all of a sudden the heavens opened, light shone down and the angels sang. The cutter just glided, (yes I said glided) through the paper.

Like Buttuh!!!!!!!!

I was faklempt!!! A tear rolled down my cheek. It was a beautiful thing.

So long scissors!!!!! Good Bye, torn paper!!! Arrivederci, unsightly, jagged edges!!! I have found my gift wrap mecca!!

At last I am whole!

If you can't already guess, I highly recommend this product.

Happy Wrapping!

Having the Spirit of Christmas

An exerpt from "The Ensign" message from the First Presidency:

When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year. We contemplate that first Christmas day, foretold by the prophets of old. You, with me, recall the words from Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”—meaning “God with us.”

On the American continent, the prophets said: “The time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent … shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay. … He shall suffer temptations, and pain. … And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Then came that night of nights when the shepherds were abiding in the fields and the angel of the Lord appeared to them, announcing the birth of the Savior. Later, Wise Men journeyed from the East to Jerusalem, “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. …

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Times change; years speed by; but Christmas continues sacred. In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.

If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter’s hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth.

It was said of Jesus of Nazareth that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Do we have the determination to do likewise? One line of holy writ contains a tribute to our Lord and Savior, of whom it was said, He “went about doing good … ; for God was with him.”

My prayer is that at this Christmas season and all the Christmastimes to come, we may follow in His footsteps. Then each Christmas will be the best Christmas ever.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Love,

Mike and Tammy

Santa Says: "Teach the Children"

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.

Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled; what did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag and ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship Him, our Lord, our God."

--- Author Unknown


I have always loved this story. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. It is something that I have tried to incorporate into my family traditions. I love Christ and am a firm believer in having Christmas focus on the birth of our Savior. What touches me about this story is that you can still have Santa play a part in childrens lives, while showing that even Santa knows the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this story.