MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?

I have a little "crowd anxiety". So, I've only been out on Black Friday once and that was to a store I knew wouldn't be everybody's first choice to shop. But this year I've put off my Christmas shopping and I still have a little guy at home that I would like to see get the only thing he's asked for, for Christmas. My biggest fear was that this item wouldn't be available after Black Friday, so I decided to get up at 4:30 in the morning and see if I could get lucky. So, I went to the mall, and what a nightmare. The parking lot was filling up quickly and there were people everywhere. I fully expecting not to get what I wanted but to my surprise--I was successful. Mainly because this present wasn't on sale at this particular store. That was okay, though.

As I waited in line, I spent the rest of the time observing the crowd. A lot were angry because they weren't able to get what they wanted, others were upset because they weren't sure which line they were supposed to be in and a lot of store clerks were frustrated just trying to accommodate everyone. Wow, I started thinking, this should be the "most wonderful time of the year" but most people didn't look very happy. So, I decided to chat with different people in line and "be cheerful" like Elder Marvin J. Ashton would say. I don't know if anyone else got anything out of it but it made the moment better for me. As I purchased my item, I ended my experience with a bold, loud, "You Have a Merry Christmas" to the store clerk. I don't think he had heard those words yet that day. His countenance changed and he looked into my eyes and said, "you too" and then quickly went back to his duties. No crowd anxiety this time. I guess I've come a long way.

"What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer,

who, when others because of an unpleasant happening

or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust,

meets the situation with cheerful endurance & good spirits."

--Marvin J. Ashton

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

ASHLEY G., JESSICA, & BETH

AT "YOUNG WOMEN'S IN EXCELLENCE"

Sunday we had our annual "Young Women's in Excellence" program. The theme was "Going the Distance" and the girls did a dramatization of young women in past eras up to today that had struggles spiritually into making the choices of being valiant young women in keeping the commandments. It was very powerful and I enjoyed it a lot. What struck me though is the fact that my daughter, Jessica, is now a young woman and her young women's president is Ashley G., who I taught when I was young women's president. I guess "what goes around comes around."

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father,
Who loves us and we love him,
We will stand as witnesses of God,
at all times and in all things, and in all places,
as we strive to live the Young Women's values. . ."

LIFT WHERE YOU STAND

Mark & Jolinda with their whole family at Thorley Mountain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I read Elder Uchdorf's talk this week, from the priesthood session of general conference. "Lift Where You Stand." It was so great! I feel that my brother has been a "lift" to me all through the years. When I was young he teased me so much I could hardly appreciate him, but as we both matured, he became a great example to me. I especially remember the time when I was desirous to go on a mission. I knew it was what I wanted to do but I needed a little encouragement. Mark was the one that helped me see that I could do it and what a great blessing my mission was for me. So, Mark, have a Happy 53rd Birthday.

". . .if we all stand close together

in the place the Lord has appointed

and lift where we stand,

nothing can keep this divine work

from moving upward and forward."

Elder Dieter Uchtdorf