My Favorite Part of Christmas

For the past few years there's always been this special place in my heart for the night of Christmas Eve.

When the kids are in bed, milk and cookies have been set out and eaten up by Santa, when presents have magically appeared, and all of the adults settle in to get as much sleep as possible before the kids wake up with bright eyes and anxious bodies.

This is when I read the account in Luke chapter 2.

When I get to think about the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and what that means for me.

When I think about His ministry, His example, and how I can reflect that in my own life.

When I think about the atonement and what a blessing it is in so many ways.

This is when everything slows down.

This is when I have this special time to remember the real reason for the season, and how grateful I am for every way that I have been blessed.

This reflection and application of the Christ in Christmas changes Christmas morning.

While opening each gift and watching gifts I've given being opened, I remember why we show our love by giving.

It's symbolic of something more... of what we can give of ourselves to others and to the Savior because He gave such an incredible and priceless gift to us.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

How grateful I am for my Savior.

Christ is what it's all about.

Hello there...

I'm back!

Yay!

I stopped posting and made my blog private after going back to school and feeling like I hardly had an exciting thing to write about, BUT, I am back.

First things first,

I have some pictures to share from earlier this summer.

My parents and I went on a hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

It was a gorgeous day.

Next...
While I was still living and working in Utah before heading back up to school I was able to go to a few of the different temples in the area.

I was most anxious to get to Mount Timpanogos because it's been my favorite for years, even though I had never seen it in person.
Let me tell you, it lived up to all of my expectations, and more.

Guys... this picture ^ is straight out of the camera.
You can't tell me that isn't stunning.
I'll be getting married there :)

Lastly in this little mini-photo update, Rexburg had some freezing rain on top of snow on top of freezing rain.
That was complicated, wasn't it?
I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

Needless to say, that storm really did make me feel like I was living in a winter wonderland.

Now, with that catch up post that transitioned us from summer, through early autumn, and to winter, I can appropriately post about Christmas later this week :)

It's good to be back.