Yes, we are now Guatemalan

Ah boy, how excited I am be come home for Christmas!!!

If I remember correctly, we Calls haven't had Christmas with the entire family since Christmas '04. Five years of scattered celebrations until NOW! I'm excited to sing songs by the piano on Christmas morning. I'm excited to smell those scrumptious cinnamon pine cones that Mom keeps hung by the pantry. I'm excited to make s'mores at the fireplace. I'm excited to carol and come home to hot cocoa and chili I won't eat. I'm excited to wake up Christmas morning and wait at the top of the stairs to open presents. I'm excited to go to the movies Christmas day. I'm excited to spend time with those who love me and have fun with my awesome family.

I got to teach on the Spirit of Christ(mas) today for Relief Society. It was an amazing opportunity to remember what Christmas is all about. I'm humbled to remember all of the wonderful things our Savior has done for us. He was born for us. He lived for us. He died for us. He knows our needs and will always be with us when we align our lives with His teachings.

C.S. Lewis said, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of the kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously--no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinners--no mere tolerance, or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment. Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses."

Everyday we associate with people of divine nature. I am constantly reminded of the potential we have when I see my roommate shovel the walkway at church so others don't slip in the snow. When my sister gets more excited about shopping for her kids than for herself. When friends and family help me to remember that I am loved and cared for. This is a season of giving and goodwill to men. I'm excited to know where I came from and where my destination should be. We know these treasured truths. We've known them since we were little. So now it's our job to aid others in their journey back to Heavenly Father and let them know that this life is not meant to be endured. It's meant to be relished. Do you know that for yourself? Do you take joy in the journey and in the comforting fact that Heavenly Father has you in the forefront of His perfect mind at all times? If so, let others know of this wonderful gift. If not, I hope I have been of some help to you, but it's something I continue to work on.

I'd encourage you to watch this. It's pretty wonderful. Anywho, that's my thought for the next while.

Love you all,
Whit