December has Arrived!

We're excited, although I don't feel ready. That's normal. Last year I tried focusing on "Joy and Peace" (see here), and this year I'm going to try to remember these quotes:

"As I think about our time constraints, I conclude that God has not intended that we should be able to do everything we would like to do. If there were not more to do than we are individually capable of doing, we wouldn't have to make choices, and we would never realize what we value most." (You'll notice it's been over there on the sidebar all year long, but I really need to remember it this month! Here's the link to the source - "Be of Good Cheer," by Jeanne Inouye.)

"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do." (Julie B. Beck) My heart does yearn to do more than I can physically accomplish, and I need to accept that.

The key, and my goal for this month, (as it has been for a while) is to follow this counsel from President Uchtdorf: "Don't let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit." That will bring me closer to my Savior, and that's the best way to celebrate Christmas.

So, Michelle came downstairs this morning and asked where her little Twix bar was. Last year it would have been in drawer #1.


Unfortunately, poor Santa didn't make the cut when we were trying to pare down this summer.


A couple of weeks ago I tried finding our old advent calendar (the one I had put away to "fix" because the ornaments kept falling off). I figured we could use that this year to hold her little candies. I couldn't find it, so I'm assuming it didn't make the cut either. I may never know if the tip I found (to use sandpaper on the back of the felt) would have worked.

I had to come up with another plan. And a simple one! This puzzle/activity countdown came from the December 2000 Friend. I had grand plans to make a stocking garland to put the little pieces in, and I still may, but right now it's just sitting on the counter. And that will have to do. It's already brought joy and happiness to us this morning which is the whole point, right? (We did get it done!)


So, enjoy the first day of December, whether it includes Twix bars or not.

Michelle did say that Ghiradelli squares - which she noticed are on sale at Costco now - would be an acceptable substitute. We'll see!

Comments

Shauna said…
Love the quotes and your perspective!
Thank You!!!!
I remember that puzzle from the Friend magazine.
I went totally "lazy" "easy" for an advent this year. For the second year in a row, I cannot find a box that contains our traditional advent tree, so I think it is gone.
I bought the Chocolate advent calendar that has a door for each day. I gave one to each girl this morning at Scripture Study. Chocolate for breakfast before Seminary this month!
We are going to use our advent candle/scriptures at family prayer each night.
Elizabeth said…
You know, last year when I was super sick and in no way up to making anything sweet for Christmas, I decided that the bag of Ghiradelli chocolate was a good substitute (and on sale then, too!). Dave definitely thought it was!
Meg said…
Thank you for sharing those quotes! I really needed to hear that today. It's hard to believe that you don't accomplish everything you want to though- you are so productive! I'm always inspired by your work ethic. :) And also...only 22 more days!!!