Forgiveness is a matter of faith

Events around the nation, and some close to home, have caused me to reflect on forgiveness. I have listened to several amazing general conference talks about the Atonement, repentance and forgiveness and have felt, as the title of my post says, that forgiveness is a matter of faith.

I feel that when we choose to forgive, no matter the offense against us we show our faith in our Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ. I feel as if we are saying to the Lord:
- I have trust that You, knowing all, are the perfect judge.
- I have faith in your plan and in your timing, even if I don't understand it all. (Similarly, I think forgiveness also shows our humility as we say, "Thy will be done.")
- I know that through the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all that is unfair about this life can be made right.

I am grateful for my Heavenly Father's patience with and mercy towards me. I am far from perfect, but I am grateful that through the gift of his Son, I can overcome my faults and receive forgiveness. It takes time and work, but it is possible. I am grateful to know that likewise, He is merciful to all those who are willing to follow Him. As I see people I love going through hard things I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father loves and cares for them and that he is willing to help them, just as I know he is willing to help me.

I have thought often about this statement from The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."
I know that forgiveness starts in our homes and in our families. It is interesting to teach this principle to a child who feels hurt because their sibling took something, or broke something or said something hurtful. But will learning to forgive now help them as they encounter different and "bigger" things as they grow? I think it will. Watching them forgive quickly has reminded me that this is another way that we need to become as little children.

I am grateful for the example of others who seem to forgive so quickly, even offenses that are so big and life altering. It makes me reflect on what I can do to be more forgiving in my life. I know that as we choose to forgive we open our hearts to the peace that is offered by our Savior, Jesus Christ.


This is another reason I am so grateful for this Christmas season.
Luke 2
 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Yesterday was our ward party. After a nice dinner and a little musical program we had some special visitors from up North. I was so excited and so grateful that Brian's parents were willing to come so far to be Santa and Mrs. Claus for our ward, and we decided to keep it a secret from the kids. 

Mike said he figured out who was behind the beard when Santa started talking to him. 

 Nathan and Liz figured it out too.

 Megan on the other hand was not so thrilled about the Santa thing. Don't get me wrong, she knows "the Santa Secret" (as she calls it) and she is completely OK with the fact that Mom and Dad are Santa, but she has always been nervous with guys dressed up like Santa, unless she knows who it is. So when she got out of line and came to me in tears I whispered in her ear that it was Grandma and Grandpa.  She didn't believe me so I took her to Brian and he told her the same thing. She was still unsure, asking how they got here, so he showed her their truck in the parking lot. But, it wasn't until he snuck her around the side to the front and she made eye contact with Mrs. Claus that she started to smile. She went back and waited with the other kids in line, then climbed right up on Santa's lap when it was her turn.

 This picture was taken after her turn with Santa, when she was finally able to give Mrs. Claus a hug.

  Even as she looks at the pictures she will not call them Santa and Mrs. Claus, she calls them Grandma and Grandpa.It reminds me of how she used to say, "I'm not scared of the real Santa, just the fake ones." I am so grateful it was them, because it made the night special for her.

We got a fun family photo too.

 After Santa and Mrs. Claus were done visiting with all of the kids at the party, they came to our house for a few more photos. I kind of wondered what a kid would think if they saw them on the doorstep. :-)

Megan was much more relaxed. We love these pictures.

It was sure a magical evening. I couldn't stop smiling. It was so special for all of the kids.

I love this time of year

I love Christmas! Not only do I love Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I love this whole month leading up to these wonderful days. I love the music (my Christmas music playlist is playing almost constantly), the sparkling lights that make me smile, the decorations, Christmas movies that make me feel good (even if they are a little cheesy), picking out the perfect gifts and gatherings with family and friends. But mostly I just love the feeling of this season. We strive each day, all year long, to remember Jesus Christ and follow him, but there is something tender about remembering him coming to earth as a little baby. Somehow the Christmas story combines simplicity and splendor and feels so miraculous. I wish that I was better at expressing my awe, my gratitude and my love.

I am so grateful that I get to spend this season with these four. They add the perfect amount of childlike wonder and joy to the rest of the feelings of the season. Because of them I get to understand a different side of the Christmas story, that of a mother's love for her child.

And while I know Christmas is not about presents, I do enjoy the spirit of giving as I plan little surprises for them and Brian.  I can't wait to share in their excitement.

Last night Brian and I went to a Christmas dinner hosted by his division at work. It was held in a beautiful building with simple, yet elegant decorations. The food was delicious. There was wonderful entertainment (Christmas music never gets old and the performers were very engaging). And I enjoyed sitting with some of the people that work in Brian's office. It was wonderful to meet a few new people and get to know others better. And we got to bring home a Christmas CD. My playlist just got a little longer. Mostly I loved sharing this evening with the person I love the most (although we didn't get a picture of the two of us together.)

And I love stuff like this to help me remember what is most important.