Monthly Archives: December 2014

Sunday Best!

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Heisthegift

“While the Christmas season is typically a time for looking back and celebrating the birth of our Lord, it seems to me that it should also be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients who watched for His coming.”    -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

jesus-christ-39623-galleryI hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday! I love the Savior and I am so grateful for His birth, His life, and His atonement. I am so grateful that He died for me, and because of His resurrection, I will be resurrected too. He is the Gift, the first Gift of Christmas.

I love Him.

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

 

Tender Mercies…Everyday.

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Tender Mercies!photoLast week when I came home from work for lunch I decided to eat a Cutie orange. I began to peel it and I noticed that the stem had this beautiful star shape.

The first thought that crossed my mind was how sweet of my loving Father in Heaven to bless me with this little reminder, and assurance that He is there. That there is a purpose. That there are no accidents, and us living here on this earth is so important, that even the tiniest stem is of significance to Him. That it needed to be perfectly shaped so that I would notice it and think of Him, and of His Son, who created this beautiful world…for me…and you. I thought of all times we see the star shape in this world. It must be a favorite of Heavenly Father’s. During the Christmas season when we think of the star and how it lead the shepherds to the baby Jesus, it is wonderful to have this little reminder. I am so grateful for this little tender mercy. I will look for them, and find them everyday.

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“I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of his tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them….The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ….Faithfulness, obedience and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord’s timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings….I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us….Each of us can have eyes to see clearly and ears to hear distinctly the tender mercies of the Lord as they strengthen and assist us in these latter days.”-David A. Bednar

 

Airports…

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make me cry!

We just picked up Emily from the airport two weeks ago, yesterday. 

I cried.

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Today I dropped off Kelsey at the airport. 

I cried.

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Years ago, like when I was a teenager,

I used to cry

when I would see airplanes taking off from the airport.

Do you know why? In the beginning it was because I knew people were leaving each other. Since I got older and had more experiences with airports, now I know that it is a happy place too. People who haven’t seen each other for a long time get together. 

Maybe it’s a little like Heaven or people leaving God to come to earth…people coming and going all the time. 

People crying tears of happiness at being reunited and people crying tears of sadness because someone they love is leaving. 

I think I’m glad to have people that I love so much that I cry at airports. 

Hug Me, First!!!

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My famous “picking up our missionaries” sign!

When we go to the airport to pick up our missionaries, I always have a sign like this…

“Hug Me, First! Oh & Welcome Home!”

You would be amazed if I told you how many hugs I have gotten from complete strangers holding this sign. It might be fun to just go to the airport and get hugs for fun!!! People landing at the airport seem to always want someone there to welcome them home or here for a visit.

I am so glad I had a sign that said, “Hug Me, First!” and to receive all those hugs!

Sisters!

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FullSizeRenderTogether Again! These beautiful girls, my “Dream Come True” and my “Bonus Baby.” I am so thankful to have them both in my life!!!

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My Sister, My Friend

It doesn’t really matter if we’re together or apart, you’re never really far from me, you’re always in my heart.

I love the way we both can laugh, until we almost cry, yet hug each other tenderly, and real tears fill our eyes.

In some ways we’re so different, yet our values are alike, so I know you’ll always have my back, whenever trouble strikes!

You know my darkest secrets, and you never judge my pain. You validate my dreams, and let me know they’re not in vain. 

The face I often show the world, is who “they” need to see, but you accept me for myself, as God would have me be. 

If I could turn one “wish” to prayer, it would be that you could see, how precious you are in my eyes, and how you’ll always be. 

For no matter where life leads us, from now until the end, I pray you’ll feel my love for you, “MY SISTER,” my best friend!

by Barbara D. MacAdam

A Miracle!

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2014-02-05 at 17-08-34 (1)FYI: This wonderful man, my daddy, had surgery on Monday and God granted us a miracle. He came through it amazingly and is now home.

I am so grateful that Father in Heaven is aware of us and what we go through. I am so grateful for doctors, nurses, CNA’s, and others who take such good care of us when we’re sick.

Life is Good! God is Great!

Out on a WIM #81

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#81

Hey Fam!!!

Thanks for the email and the updates! I am glad to hear that all is going well.
I am doing really great. I am actually happy!!! There was only one time this week that it hit me that I am leaving. And cried so stinkin hard. I think it freaked Sister W. and Sister S. out because they have never seen me cry or sad or anything… I feel kind of numb to it all. It is similar to how I felt when I left on my mission, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it.
I have been like really antsy it’s kind of hilarious. We will be studying and suddenly I just start pacing around the house… I am doing good though! I am excited to see you all and give you big hugs of course!!
So this week was a bit wild. We were doing lots of Skyping. I skyped three sets of sisters and we had a fireside in our branch this week and so that went really well. A lot of our efforts were spent in service and doing wonderful duties. It was a good week. A little stressful.
On Sunday and at the activity we are having a few potential priesthood holders that have been so solid in keeping commitments and coming to church. It’s amazing. The Lord is blessing us.
As for Sister W. and Sister S., they are doing so well. I got to observe a little bit more this week and let them take the reigns… THEY DID AWESOME!! I have no worries about them taking over the area. I am grateful to have had them as my best friends to finish out my mission and they have been most supportive with my wild emotions and sadness.
Anyway I will tell you everything in a few days. Just so you know I am probably going to talk about my mission and things I learned forever and a day. So bear with me please 🙂
I am so grateful for this time that I have had to serve a full time mission. It has been challenging and pushed me out of my comfort zone. It has blessed me. I have been inspired and led by the sprit time after time. I love my Father in Heaven and I can now say I truly have Him for my closest friend and rely on Him and want Him to be able to trust me with anything He wants done. I have learned so much and I could never express it words to the fullest.
I am so grateful for your support and examples to me and the things you have helped me with. You are always so patient and loving. Thanks for raising me right!
Ummm… I am getting some little things for each of you and I am going to take a little bit more money out today! I hope that is ok. I will have a little surprise for you all.
Wow. I can’t believe this is my last email home as a missionary. I will see you in a few days. I sure love you with all my heart. Don’t forget Gale (Emily’s Pillow Pet) and a coat! Also I would die of happiness if you had pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and fresh salsa at home! That is all. I love you so much. Can’t wait to see you and cry and rejoice with you!
Love, Sister Emily ………… I will miss being called Sister.. It makes my heart hurt just a little. Anyway! See you soon.