Tante Marianne

On the Morning Commute...

2012-02-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

On Whittier Boulevard

Being a big fan of the English language, I can't help but notice when things don't go quite right in that department. The Los Angeles area is a huge melting pot of many different cultures, predominantly Asian and Hispanic, but there are others as well.

Every morning I pass by this print shop on Whittier Boulevard. I really wonder how much work they get, as their sign doesn't exactly inspire confidence in their abilities to do a good job for your sign or banner.

I mean, what is wrong with this picture:

I don't know, the "pringting" is bad, but that backwards "G" doesn't win them any points, either. Next time I have some "pringting" to do, and need a dyslexic non-native English speaker to take care of it, I'll know where to bring it.

If only they'd opened an ice cream shop, it might not have been so bad!

Hope this made you smile.

Out with the girls

2012-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

There were crowds everywhere - this is the Red Robin Restaurant lobby

It was just a crazy Saturday night out with the girls. Lots of people everywhere.

We did a movie and dinner in La Habra this past weekend. The movie was fun (the book was better - I need a tee-shirt that says that) and dinner was delicious. I could wax poetic about the joys of a movie and some good ol' popcorn - it's the complete movie experience - but I'll try to restrain myself. And there are few things in life better than a bleu cheese burger with onion "sticks" from Red Robin. Need I say more?

Best of all is having good friends to hang with. It's nice to have friends to share with and laugh (and sometimes cry) with. I know some of the most interesting and delightful women on the planet.

Thanks, my dears. Let's do it again soon.

The Summer of '69

2012-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

My brother and I in Odalen, Norway

I have a dear friend named Eva who is currently living in faraway Australia. But back in the summer of 1969, we were both young and fancy free and met one another for the first time in her grandmother's home in the Norwegian countryside.

Eva's grandmother was a great friend of my grandparents. She was a wonderful woman, and a faithful Latter-day Saint, even though she lived far away from any organized branches of the church. Visiting her on her farm was a lot of fun.

Eva, her grandmother, Margit Wangen (standing); my mother and me

The summer of '69 was one of the best summers ever, in what I think was probably the best year of my life. I had just graduated from high school and was on my way to college in the fall, and my family got to spend the summer months with my Norwegian grandparents in Oslo.

Eva rowing on the lake

Eva, just slightly older than me, is one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. She later married a handsome Austrian chef and traveled the world with him. She has three lovely (grown-up) daughters. Time sure flies by! It seems just yesterday that we were kids rowing on that Norwegian lake.

My Dad and I - Daddy rowed us in circles, as I recall!

My father had not been back to Norway since his missionary days in the late 40s, so he was nearly overcome with emotion to be back again.

Me, Margit, Mamma, and Jay

My grandfather, Einar, and my brother

I'm so grateful to Eva for posting these pictures for me! It's fun to be able to share them with you. This was one of the last summers I was still taller than my brother! It was also the last summer we saw my grandmother before she passed away (she was too ill to take the trip to Odalen and passed in 1970).

In life you get family, and then there are the friends who feel like family. I've been blessed with a lot of both.

Nature in Her Glory

2012-01-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night, January 23rd, I walked out of the office into the most glorious sunset ever. I tried to capture it on film, but was limited by my camera and my modest abilities (above). In the shot above, you can see the reds and golds pretty well, but not the clouds in the sky, which were more lavender and purple as seen in the shot below:

I wouldn't have published this one at all (above) except it pretty well captured the color of the clouds. I tried all kinds of different settings, but could not seem to get it right. I thought my readers could just imagine the two images somehow combined. And not so blurry.

I thought it was just me, but then they mentioned it on the KTLA news the following morning! Following that, I saw a post from my friend Robin saying she had been blown away by the same sunset on her way home that night.

Okay, then. It wasn't just me.

Then I discovered that my friend and co-worker, Sabrina, had so loved that same sunset, she had taken photos of it, too! Hers turned out way better than mine:

All I can say is, Mother Earth is pretty incredible. As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins once wrote, "The world is charged with the grandeur of God". I am also reminded of the Psalmist who wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork". (Psalms 19:1)

Compare and Contrast: The photo above is the more typical view I get when I leave the office. This was taken from the hill just above my office the week before (Wednesday, January 18th).

[I was trying to capture the sunset that night, too, but some lady got freaked out by my parking close to her in the dark with my lights on - she acosted me while I was concentrating on trying to take the picture and nearly scared me to death! (Sorry, lady! I didn't mean to frighten you, either!) Being an amateur photographer can be perilous.]

Nevertheless, I just had to share. I was so happy to have been able to see that sunset and know that it was seen and appreciated by so many people that evening.

In the superlative words of e.e. cummings:

i thank You God for most this amazing

day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

Good-Bye to Chuck

2012-01-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Chuck Cast

I suppose I should be grateful for getting 4 1/2 seasons out of my favorite TV show, Chuck, but I can't help but feel that NBC short-changed this fun offering. I suppose in the long run, it's nothing personal, it's just financial - still, it's sad to see them go.

I sometimes think the new shows are just trying to out-gross each other. And I'm not talking about money now. I am so sick of the vulgarity and disgusting visual images in the current TV line-up. I tried to watch a couple of new shows recently. They were billed as comedies, but they were sad, pointless, and filled with sexual situations that I found degrading to both men and women.

To quote President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles:

You too live in a time of war, the spiritual war that will never end. War itself now dominates the affairs of mankind. Your world at war has lost its innocence. There is nothing, however crude or unworthy, that is not deemed acceptable for movies or plays or music or converstaion. The world seems to be turned upside down.

Formality, respect for authority, dignity, and nobility are mocked. Modesty and neatness yield to slouchiness and shabbiness in dress and grooming. The rules of honesty and integrity and basic morality are now ignored. Conversation is laced with profanity. You see that in art and literature, in drama and entertainment. Instead of being refined, they become coarse. (See i Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9)

You have decisions almost every day as to whether you will follow those trends..

Yvonne Strahovski, Zack Levy and Adam Baldwin of Chuck

The final episode airs this Friday on NBC, at 8 p.m. PST

Okay, to get back on topic, I spent the evening watching a DVD set of an oldie but goodie: Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Remember that one from the 80s? Well, it was refreshing watching a show that didn't offend me or disgust me, or gross me out.

Funny, now I think about it, the premise of Chuck was just Scarecrow and Mrs. King turned on its ear: the intelligent, but innocent, Mrs. King becoming the intelligent, but innocent Chuck Bartowski. The invincible, good-looking spy Lee Stetson, replaced by the invincible, beautiful spy Sarah Walker.

Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner of Scarecrow and Mrs. King

The networks despair over a rising generation that has so many entertainment choices that TV is far down on its list. However, excuse me if I'm wrong, but good writing, and quality programming have always been a big draw with any generation. If that wasn't true, we wouldn't have heard of some guys named Shakespeare or Ibsen.

Funny how we never seem to learn that.

Majestic Mount Hood

2012-01-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

How would you like to have a view like this from your living room? Someone in the Pacific Northwest has it! My friend Desiree snapped this photo while at a job site last week at a home that has been blessed in the "great scenic views" department.

It's photos such as these that make it easy to understand why ancient people held the tops of mountains to be sacred. (If you ever visit the National Observatory at Kitt Peak outside of Tucson, Arizona, they have an orientation film that mentions this concept. Or, at least, they used to!)

Desiree writes that it's hard to get good photos of Mt. Hood as it's usually shrouded in a heavy cloud cover. However, the weather has been unusually dry and clear this month, making this great photo possible. (Since then they've received a wee bit o' snow, I believe!)

She calls this her "why I moved to Oregon" shot.

Even though I enjoy living in Southern California, I totally understand.

Rain in So Cal

2012-01-24T09:03:00.000-08:00

January is the rainy season for Southern California. Or, I should say, January is usually the rainy season, as this January has been unusually dry. So, the rain yesterday was really needed.

I love the rain. I say this alot. Mainly because I never seem to get enough of it. That comes from growing up in the Arizona desert, and then moving to another desert environment. Southern California may have the ocean, but it's technically a desert too, although some prefer to say we have a "Mediterranean" climate. It sounds more chic to say it that way, I suppose.

Monday morning I was happy to be able to use my windshield wipers!

I took these pictures out my office manager's window. The hillside below my office building looks rather beautiful in the rain, don't you think?

Have a wonderful day!

Pet Adoption Rescues People too!

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

A happy Toby trying to look cool for the camera

A friend of mine recently lost a pet to cancer. It was a difficult time for her. With loving concern, she and her vet did all they could to save the kitty, but it wasn't enough. Sweet little Sam was only a couple of years old when he finally lost his battle with that dread disease.

My friend decided to adopt not long afterwards. She heard about Toby and Theo through a rescue group. Toby and Theo were found, alone, in a vacant apartment in Compton, California. Someone had left them with some food, water and a litter box before they had abandoned them.

Rescue workers wanted to keep the two together. One cat was pretty outgoing, but the other was shy and quiet. They had been through a lot together.

My friend took them both. She said the kitties were happy to have a home and are adapting quite well to living with her. The boys are helping my friend heal from her loss. They are all three settling in comfortably together.

Toby looks pretty mischievous to me! And Theo reminds me very much of a sweet kitty I once knew named Doc Savage, Cat of Bronze. Doc was one of the best little Daddy cats I've ever known.

Shy Theo

Thousands of animals are euthanized each day across America who could have been given a chance to survive. If you are planning on getting a pet, please adopt from a shelter! There are so many wonderful animals in the world who need a good home like yours.

If you already have a pet - please spay and neuter your animals! It is the responsible, kind thing to do.

This has been a public service announcement on behalf of little Theos and Tobys (and Jacks) everywhere.

Meow.

Thanksgiving Turkey Guy

2012-01-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

Remember the bright Christmas elf from Trader Joe's?

I forgot to mention that he also appeared as Thanksgiving Turkey Guy at Thanksgiving. And, as if to restore my faith in mankind, he offered to send me a photo of himself dressed as the aforementioned Thanksgiving Turkey Guy when I admitted I'd been too shy to ask him to pose for me in November.

In fact, he sent it to me, right then and there as I was waiting in the check-out line. Is that nice, or what?

So, here it is, to brighten your day: Thanksgiving Turkey Guy! The Gobble-meister himself! In all his All-American Turkey glory:

It gives the phrase "thunder thighs" a whole new meaning.

I wish I'd gotten a side view as well. Sideways the effect was even better.

The feet just make the whole thing.

When I came across him in this garb, back in November, he was chatting to a little girl sitting in a shopping cart being pushed by her mommy. The little girl didn't think there was anything strange about this guy at all, or the way he looked.

Or, maybe it was just that my own giggles were drowning out hers. Could be!

I'll be looking for Thanksgiving Turkey guy again in 11 months. In the meantime, I'll be bracing myself for Valentine's Day...

Forever Families

2012-01-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

From Left to right: Samantha, Ashlyn, Hayden, Finn and Jude

The above is a picture of my cousin Colleen's sweet grandkids taken at Christmastime. Colleen's oldest sister Ellen, a vibrant and wonderful soul, passed away on the 10th, leaving me thinking a lot about my own mortality, and feeling intensely grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given us a Plan that allows for families to be together eternally.

“Modern studies show that the public feels a widespread hunger for heaven—and family life in heaven.

“I want to be with my family eternally more than I want anything else.

“No church has a greater commitment to family history than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does. We pursue family roots and records partly to know our ancestors but also to provide temple ordinances that build eternal bonds across the generations. Our understanding of family history also extends back to our pre-earth life, showing that our individual spirits are only one generation away from Him who is the literal Father of our spirit. Thus we pray to Him as “Heavenly Father,” and we call each other “brother” and “sister.” He sent us to earth to develop through demanding experience the personal qualities we need to live forever with Him. Then the Atonement makes it possible for us, if we are faithful, to return to be eternally “at one” with Him and with our mortal families.

“As Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “The fulness of eternal salvation is a family affair. … The gospel plan originated in the council of an eternal family, it is implemented through our earthly families, and has its destiny in our eternal families.”

“As the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote, “Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” Because of Family Future and Family Past, true love in Family Present is never wasted, and our sacrifices for the sake of eternal love signify everything.

“It isn’t easy to translate these principles into a tidy, daily reality.

“Family life is by its nature a continual struggle between the ideal and the real. But if your home often knows warm feelings of love and laughter, if your family is trying—even most of the time—to have family prayer, home evening, and honestly shared gospel experiences, you are learning the pattern for happiness. We know each other at our worst, and our best, in the closeness of family life. At our worst, we might wonder how we can keep living with each other. But in the best moments, we can’t really imagine living without each other.

“Your longing to belong forever to a loving family comes from God, and He has promised its fulfillment, if you are faithful: “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalms 107:9).

“I know His promise is sure.”

(Excerpts from “Joy”, an address given at BYU-Idaho on 13 Nov 2001 by Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy)

Where in the World?

2012-01-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

So, Fred... Where in the world are you?

Here we are!

Happy Christmas In January

2012-01-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

A tree! Mark had put up a tree just for us!

My group of crazy friends has a tradition of celebrating Christmas in January. We've been doing this for years. It all started because there are just so many of us, and trying to schedule a Saturday in December was absurd. There were always conflicts, and even when people did show up, they had to scurry off somewhere to do Christmas shopping, or for commitments to work or family or (shocked gasp!) other groups of friends.

So, now we just pick a Saturday in January and plan a whole leisurely day of good food, great conversation and gift exchanges. It's really the best of both worlds.

This past Saturday was the day. We all convened in the early afternoon. This is what I saw (above) when I arrived. There were already enough presents to sink the Titanic.

We even had Santa there - and Barb participating from Virginia via the wonders of modern technology!

There was even an appearance by the truly adorable spirit of Christmas present!

We saw some people we hadn't seen in a very long time...

..we gave each other silly gifts, and serious ones...

...and ate ourselves into a happy food coma.

Dinner was turkey with all the fixings imaginable, and then some.

We had a lot of laughs.

A LOT of laughs.

Piper (top of the cat tree) looks ready to pounce into the red tub while his brother Leo looks on

We even had all three cat children participating. That was great.

Thank you my dear friends. What a fun day!

A Charming Cottage in the Northwest

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

I was not happy when my friend Desiree moved to the Pacific Northwest. It's way too far away! However, she is very happy living closer to nature in this beautiful area of the world. This is her delightful cottage. We're getting a mini tour!

Desiree has a charming home with a Victorian theme running throughout. This home is also filled with lots of fat cats. Just as a home should be.

This is a photo of the foyer with a Queen Anne writing desk. I love that you can see the cat toys on the parquet floors! Desiree mentions that this is the kitty's play room. Did you see the old-fashioned phone? Lovely!

The pristine kitchen makes me sigh with... okay, I'll admit it: jealousy. Desiree is an accomplished cook and baker. She will put it to good use!

This is my favorite of all the pictures! I love love love the old fashioned looking, yet modern, stove - I have no idea where you would find something like that. Desiree says it's her pride and joy. It may look like the old wood-burning stoves, but this one is fully modern and electric.

Doesn't the little black and white cat look like Fat Louie of The Princess Diaries fame? I think so!

Desiree writes: "The kitties love my big kitchen. They can watch the birds, humming birds, squirrels and chipmunks out the back sliding door."

I hope you have enjoyed this beautiful, and unusual, home tour. Desiree has promised pictures of her fairy garden in the spring. I can't wait!

The Case of the Mysterious Christmas Ribbons

2012-01-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

One day, about a week or so before Christmas, I began finding little bits of ribbons around the house.

At first it was just a tiny piece of green ribbon, then a piece of red...

I knew it had to be Jack's doing, but I couldn't figure out where they were coming from. He's too little and not strong enough to get into the drawer where I keep the ribbons and wrapping paper, so I was mystified.

Until one day I saw this:

Yes, that's Jack with his head buried in the bag where I was keeping the small gifts for some of my co-workers.

I realized then that he had been systematically pulling the ribbons off the gifts in order to play with them.

Got any more of those? They are fun!

I then discovered he had found all my hiding places for Christmas stuff.

The small boxes...

And the bigger boxes...

He particularly liked the ones he could curl up in.

We decided to keep the one Jack liked the best. It's just the right size for playing with his favorite Christmas present - the bright orange fishy that Aunt Dianna sent.

So, mystery solved. And ladies, sorry about all the little teeth marks and cat spit on the ribbons this year. Jack was "helping".

The Wilds of Ancient Mexico

2012-01-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

It's always fun to start the new year with something different. This week Elder Nils writes:

"It's been a really fun week. Today we went on a trip up to see a pyramid. It used to be a military outpost out on top of this mountain we had to climb. It was small, but pretty cool.

From this picture, it looks like it was a bit of a climb to get up there! They would have had to airlift old Auntie M in. I love doing these tours vicariously from the comfort of the living room couch. (Thanks, Nils!)

The view from the top was incredible

Re-enacting the human sacrifices

"Apparently they used to do some kind of sacrifices and stuff up there. It's definitely got an incredible view. It was interesting to learn about the history of the place. The whole little pueblo that we were in used to be a huge city of pyramids.."

Apparently the boys couldn't resist clowning around a little bit, either!

Posing on the top, Elder Nils and his comp

Our intrepid hero explorers look pretty handsome, don't they? I'm so glad they are able to enjoy some of the historical sites of the interesting country they are serving in.

I've never seen a pyramid up close and personal, so it's fun to hear about Nils' adventures!

New Year's Eve

2012-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

Leo chillin' in the New Year

On New Year's Eve I attended a party thrown by my Jack's brothers, Leo and Piper. They live in the South Bay area and have a comfortable home there.

Leo looks so somber in the photo above, but he was a very lively host. He was very attentive to our needs and made sure every guest was welcomed properly. He is the brother that looks most like my Jack, but he's about twice Jack's girth. I promised him I wouldn't say anything more about that, so let me just add: there's just more of him to love...

Piper leading the festivities

Piper kept inspecting the buffet to make sure everyone had enough to eat. He also supervised the gathering from his comfy perch high above the living room.

Lots of goodies, and excellent Paninis!

Leo and Piper always throw nice parties. Of course, they enlist the aid of their human to do most the grunt work. They just greet the guests, and supervise - as all good kitties like to do. This evening, they had their human make us panini's for dinner - custom made to our order. (It's convenient that their human is a very good cook.) The sandwiches were grilled to extreme yumminess.

We had a lovely time ringing in the New Year playing silly card games and guzzling Martinelli's sparkling apple juice. Outside it was dark, cold and foggy. Inside it was cosy and loud with laughter - as it should be.

Thanks, Leo and Piper! It was a great evening. If 2012 is half as great, we're going to be okay!

The Boys of 2012

2012-01-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

2012 Already?

My two youngest nephews, Anders (texting), and Christian, making faces. Their Dad writes, "It's a fitting portrait of the two of them at this stage of their lives."

I love this picture and had to share. It made me laugh.

Baby Update

2012-01-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

Barbara at 22 weeks (?) we think!

Barbara's baby bump continues to grow. These photos were taken right before Christmas. The little baby girl is doing well! Barbara is tired, but cheerful. We are all excited.

2012 will be an eventful year!

Barbara glowing and doing fine

Christmas in Shenyang

2012-01-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Livia's First Christmas

I have yet to meet my great-niece Livia. I'm glad we can visit via Skype, so I at least get a chance to see her "in action". She's a little cutie pie. She and Fred seem to get along very well. At 2 years old, he is growing so fast! It's nice to see him interact positively with his little sister.

A Little Christmas Magic!

Even a little Christmas tree can be pretty magical. It looks like the kids are enjoying their Christmas tree experience!

Miss Livia looks pretty happy!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Livia. When I mentioned that little Livia looks just like me when I was a baby, particularly in photos such as the one above, my niece Linnea replies, "She looks Just like my baby pictures, too! Well, except for being Asian!" We chuckle over that. As I don't have children of my own, I have to add: How wonderful to see a bit of yourself reflected in a small, beautiful child.

Fred playing on Christmas morning

Little angel sleeping

The Aftermath - Looks like a happy Christmas was had by all!

Jack the Muse

2012-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Jack "helping"

It's often hard work coming up with a blog post every weekday. So, that's why I'm glad I have my little furry muse.

Much like Rita Mae Brown and her beloved Sneaky Pie Brown, Jack and I have a habit of getting together to write. Jack drapes himself across my legs, and I have the laptop on my lap.

So, how long is this going to take this time?

Jack is a big help.

God Bless Skype

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve celebrations with the clan

I love modern technology! I came home from a fun-filled dinner with friends early on Christmas Eve, dreading being alone for the rest of the evening. My little Jack kitty may be good company, but he doesn't say much. (He's the strong, silent type.)

Christmas Eve was always the big celebration at our house growing up, and it continues to be the highlight of Christmas celebration at at my brother's house now, as well. Contemplating a lonely evening, I took a minute to call Utah to see how things were going there and was told: Turn on your computer and sign onto Skype right now!

For the next hour or more, I was able to share an unusual Christmas, singing along with my niece and youngest nephews in Utah, and being able to see and talk to my great niece and nephew in China at the same time. It was an hour ahead Utah time, and Christmas Day noon for the China-based family, but we were still able to enjoy each other's company and see everyone. How great is that?

What a world of wonders this is!

What could have been a lonely evening, was turned upside down into laughter and music.

It was a truly Merry Christmas!

So, God Bless Skype.

Amen.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I sure did!

Shopping for my Christmas goodies at Trader Joe's was fun this year. I met the Christmas Elf! (See above)

I just have to state for the record: Any man who will run around dressed like this is okay in my book. What a funny guy. Thanks, David, intrepid Trader Joe's Employee, for spreading a little Christmas cheer.

It's impossible not to smile when you see someone looking like this!

Hope you have a cheery, wonderful New Year!

An Evening with the Shepherds and Angels

2011-12-30T08:50:00.000-08:00

Joseph hanging with the Shepherds and Wise Men with a little help from Dad

I love Christmas. I love little kids. When you put the two together, it's always a winning combo.

On Christmas Eve, I had the privilege of being a part of a quiet, but stunning theatrical performance of the Nativity. It was a lovely show with the finest actors available.

There was singing and dancing!

The Angelic Heavenly Host apparently not only sang for joy at the Saviour's birth...

... but apparently also expressed their joy through interpretive dance.
I didn't know this before. I feel enlightened.

The actors and actresses all took their roles very seriously.

I was so impressed by their stage presence and fine acting skills. They all did a wonderful job. I was transported by the story they told so simply. It was really theatre at its finest.

The beautiful Virgin Mary on her Daddy's lap, while the sweet little lamb holds Baby Jesus

I really recommend this little acting troupe and its excellent crew.

However, their performances are very exclusive. I believe you've missed them for this year!

The Shepherds couldn't help playing a bit with their staves.

I feel myself very honored to have been able to witness this event.

Lucky me!

So, Happy Christmas and, especially, a Happy New Year to all!

After their fine performances, three happy actresses pose with their matching Christmas PJs

... And to all a good night!

Merry Christmas in Cuautla!

2011-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

Elder Nils writes, "This is a picture from our interpretive dance skit. It was pretty dang awesome."

The Sisters and Elders of Cuautla cutting loose for Christmas.

President and Sister Spannous and the Sisters and Elders of Cuautla, cleverly disguised as mild-mannered missionaries.

Elder Nils writes, "Needless to say, it was pretty much epic."

Hope yours was epic, too!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-24T16:48:00.000-08:00

The Prophet Isaiah saw the coming of the Saviour in vision, as did other prophets of old

10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7:10-12

Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger

The Christus Statue on Temple Square in Salt Lake City

The great message of the Restored Gospel is that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God. He is the light and life of the world, the Only Begotten of the Father. He is the Messiah who was chosen before the world began and whose coming was foretold by prophets from the time of Adam until that day in the meridian of time when he came to earth. He lives! He is real. He guides and directs His church on the earth. He cares deeply for all of us.

So, Merry Christmas, dear friends! God Jul, Joyeux Noel, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, or, however you say it - and wherever you may be in the world, all the best to you and your loved ones for a very happy holiday.

Choose to rejoice this holiday season! We have so much to be thankful for.

God Bless Us, Every One.