I Love the Mountains: Noel! Noel!

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

(Hoping your New Year is laced with less pain than this last picture!)

A treasured memory in December?

Our nine-year-old grandson's fingers fly to announce the sound that made CERTAIN poor shepherds.

In a season of light shining in darkness, of what are you certain?

In the midst of uncertainty how do you feel when you hear the resonating ring of, WE BELIEVE?

“WE BELIEVE: in God, the Eternal Father. And in His Son. And in the Holy Ghost”!

(Articles of Faith, 1:1)

As we celebrate a beautiful Christmas gift of a Savior to our earth, we offer gratitude for a remembrance of belonging.

We applaud the blessing of a nearby daughter to orchestrate

a painting party at the home of a younger sister working full time and studying the art of mastering processes, while manufacturing pressure tanks in Colorado.

Answers to prayers for a talented, responsible son to provide for

and spend more time with his family

by changing his work to direct sales with a nearby painting company.

Comradery of this son's eldest two with their cousin a few miles south perfecting their personal best in cross country running,

while such a cousin’s family fosters cats. (Kindness can be contagious!)

Visits to the table of another cousin include a homemade stick game during his break from volunteering stints at a summer scout camp.

This cousin's younger sister and many of her well-read cousins count hours and days to await the newest volume to emerge for a favorite dragon chapter book series, while they try out for solos, or help with school plays, or try new skills such as sewing and sorts.

Kaysville grandchildren are trying their hand at organ pedaling,

snare drumming, code busting, robotics, and climbing gyms,

along with a "weekly home blessing"

(orchestrated chores where everyone pitches in

to help with complete a list, with 10 minutes a room. Another race!)

How will I make MY home a wonderful tree house, a castle, this year?

Some bike to school and pause on their return to visit a nearly 94-year-old great grandma.

(often making time for another Grammy, measuring near!)

Georgia grandchildren prance (by bus) to first grade

parading pumpkin patches, art galleries, launching pads or watching Nutcracker dancing, with baby sister in tow wherever possible.

As we acknowledge progress for an eldest grandchild

who prepares to graduate from college,

we rejoice at connection.

Strides in home renovation.

Sounds of service in holy halls, old and new,

celebrating an anniversary of three meaningful decades

graced with gathering and giving.

Memories of summer and September include sauntering of stomping grounds of pioneers past.

(What do you feel as you explore the paths of a progenitor?

What brings to life the stories better than to imagine or actually see fields and frames?)

Above is a farm in Firth, ID where a young Shirley chased rabbits and ran to catch her small yellow school bus, which at times stopped coming, due to donning its torn-out cardboard roof.

How quick will I be to finish my chores

and triumphantly reach the other side of the road in good time?

Will I respect property? Will I exercise patience with others?