Family Home Evening - Happy New Year!

Christensen Family, Thanksgiving, 2009
What a wonderful celebration the past few weeks have been. To have all our posterity together for Thanksgiving, then to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are so grateful for all that you do for us and for each other. We have witnessed many acts of generous giving and sharing, of love for one another. How blessed we are to live at this time in the history of this earth, and to enjoy the technology that allows us to travel for such events, then to return home in a day.

I have thought about this first posting for the new year for the past few weeks, and not until last night did I realize what I really wanted to say. As you know from reading Grandma and Grandpa's letter, a woman I grew up with, Susan Buhler, is terminally ill and in hospice care now. I haven't seen Susan for over 40 years, and we haven't kept in touch, except through our mothers. Susan's mother, Phyllis, who was my mother's best friend from her youngest days, passed away several years ago, but her youngest daughter has remained in touch with my mother ever since. She was the one who called and told Grandma that Susan would soon leave her mortal experience. She seems so young (I know, I'm older than dirt, which means Susan is also, but age is relative.) to be leaving a family of children and grandchildren. Then I remembered a good friend, Lynn Tanner, who served in the branch presidency when we were on our mission. He and his wife went out to dinner with other friends from the branch, and fifteen minutes after returning home from that wonderful visit, he was dead-totally unexpectedly. I realize that none of us know when that time will come for us, or if we will have warning and time to say the things we want to say. I have decided that I wanted to post the few words I would want to share with each of you if my time was ending. (I'm not ill, I'm not expecting to leave this earth for many years. I'm in good health and enjoying life. However...) So, on a happy note, for these are the things I rejoice in:

I love each of you, and realize that I knew and loved you before we came to this earth. For my children, I am grateful to be your mother. You are awesome people. For those who have joined our family through marriage or friendship, I love you also. You are great people. For my grandsons, you are very special young people, come to earth for the greatest of all times, the return of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrated a few days ago. I am so grateful for the restoration of the Gospel, and know beyond a doubt that families are meant to be eternal. There is a prophet on the earth today, the heavens are open, and one day, peace will be established under the reign of a Righteous King. May each of you know always of His love for you.

We have a wonderful year ahead of us. Yes, there will be challenges and there will be joys. May we unite in facing whatever the year brings, with love and determination.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Dec. 13

Christmas is coming, soon. I wish the season could be extended a week, so I could enjoy the music and the fun a little longer. The other choice would be to take a week long "mental health break" early in December. That won't work either - I have the microscopes for the month of December, and must make the most of my opportunity. This is my favorite unit to teach, of course, and that makes it easier to do with everything else.

With Christmas coming, and the focus we try to maintain on the "real reason for the season", I was impressed with the thoughts expressed by a speaker today in Sacrament Meeting. The topic was obedience, certainly something we should be thinking about. Christ was obedient to His Father, doing all He was called upon to do. As a result, we can return to the presence of our Father and Elder Brother. I'm certain that reunion will be glorious indeed, provided we have been obedient. The speaker commented that we don't just wake up one moring and decide to be disobedient. We do that "toe by toe", so gradually that we don't realize what is happening. The spiritual death trap we can so easily fall into begins when we become casual with two basic acts - daily prayer and daily scripture reading.

Because of my love for you, I challenge you to make a resolution that each day for the next year, you will take the time to pray and read His words. Then, in a year, see if you aren't happier!

The pictures posted today are from a nativity seen only by those who make time in their busy holiday season to give an eternal gift to someone they may have never met in this life by entering the temple and performing the saving work done there. The nativity sits in the trees in front of the temple, visible only from inside the temple gates.

The picture of Aidan and Ryan was taken last night at the May Creek Ward Christmas Party. Suzanne and the boys came. Glen was working on a "no kids needed/no interruptions" project at home. We had a great time - Santa came! Suzanne will get the pictures to me soon.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 30

The year is almost over. For the past five days, we have celebrated the unity of family - all of our posterity and the very important and loved additions to the family have been here as we offered thanksgiving to the Creator of all. Thank you for all you did to make these days possible.

I have pondered for the past few days what to write for this post. With the end of the year approaching, and the time for "New Years Resolutions" drawing close, I was most impressed with a story told by Sister Sheri Dew. She told of a time when, while driving down a dark road in the wee hours of the morning, she hit something, and in a matter of moments, her SUV was completely disabled. She was unable to move forward even an inch. A police officer stopped, and determined, with the help of a flashlight, that there was something big and black under the car, but what it might be was a mystery. After looking at the options, it was decided that Sis. Dew would carefully back up a little bit. Doing so freed her car - from the street lamp that had fallen to the road and become wedged under her car! She likened this experience to our lives. When we seem to be stopped - spiritually, emotionally, or temporally, sometimes it is necessary to back up, in order that we can move forward. It could mean repenting, mending a relationship, starting to do something, stopping doing something, learning something, or forgiving someone.

As you think about New Years Resolutions you can make (and keep), include something to help you progress in some way. If needed, back up - just a little. What may be stopping our forward momentum is usually something small. Make a change that will help you achieve your goals. Remember - We are told to ask and we will receive. What will you ask as the year ends?

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 22

What a wonderful time we had yesterday. Charleen Patton was married yesterday in the Seattle Temple to Miguel Lopez. She was a beautiful bride, he was a handsome groom. Their smiles brought sunshine into a cloudy day. Now we are waiting for all of our children, together with the additions to our family, to arrive and get together. Good food and visiting on Thursday, family pictures on Friday.

I haven't had a specific theme chosen for today. I am so thankful for all we have been given, but more about that next week. For today, a thought from the youth speaker in church today.

"The peace that comes from honesty lasts forever, the peace of following the crowd for a moment."

May God bless you this week in all you are doing. Take time to tell Him thanks.

Love, Mom

The picture is the quilt I made for Charleen and Miguel.

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 15

I have been thinking about Christmas and all I want to do (still undone) for the season. I finished a couple of the "big" projects - a quilt for a gift and a paper pieced wall hanging (a nativity I sewed two years ago, but finished this year), and pulled out a Christmas table runner pattern I got two years ago from a quilt website I like. I bought my four fabrics - red, green, gold, and purple - at the little quilt shop at the coast last year. The pattern is designed to be made as a 15 min/day, 3 week long advent project, with scripture readings for each day - sew and read. I realized that for me, this might not work - I love the readings (although I would read them from the reference and not the printed directions - I prefer the poetic language of the King James Version over more modern translations) and will probably read them, but the sewing needed to happen sooner. As I worked through the directions, (No, it isn't finished yet, but I'll post a picture when it is.) I chuckled a bit, but also thought, "How true." The directions for one day say, "Spend just 5 minutes ewing today, then at least 10 minutes thinking and praying about the "gotta do's" that are weighing you down. Instead of adding to your "to do" list, ask Him to show you the things that should be moved to the "let it go" column. If you're feeling weary and restless, you can be sure those burdens aren't from God. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) I had already decided to do the sewing early, so it wouldn't become a "burden."

What burden are you carrying with the approaching season that should be one of joy? Think of Him, and walk with a lighter load. Move a few "gotta do" items to the "let it go" column, and celebrate the joy of the birth of our Savior, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Rejoice!

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 8, 2009

It's all about family! What a wonderful weekend I enjoyed the past three days. Quick flight to Salt Lake City from Seattle, trading one windy city for another (warmer and drier) one! From time with little (?) Matthew, Jenn and Rachel (another generation closer), my parents and Aunt Ethel, to seeking for ancestors, records from the early to late 1700s, it was wonderful. Didn't manage to connect the people I found, but the names say I'm on the right track, just haven't found what I need for the connection. Maybe in all the pages I copied, I will find the gem I seek.
Families - wonderful people. As I prepared to leave for Utah, I had a call from a friend - not a sister by blood, but a sister in other ways. I had an email from another "sister", again, not by blood, but a sister still. Some share my religious faith, others have chosen another path as they seek to follow Christ, but sisters still.
This week - do something for a sister, a brother, related (or not)! You will feel good, and so will they!
God bless,
Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 1

A topic today at church relates to circumstances here in the Seattle area. The Howard Hansen Dam, which controls the flow of the Green River, is compromised, and because of the problems there, the reservoir can only be filled to 30% capacity. There is a very real possibility of extensive flooding this winter, all through the Kent Valley, Southcenter area, and parts of Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tukwila, and north. The Church is actively preparing for the possible need to have places for members to go if an evacuation order is given, as well as preparing for the possibility that there will be interruptions in availability of goods - food, etc. We were counseled to prepare 72 hour kits to have in our cars, check our food storage, and be prepared to deal with possible interruptions in our routines.

As I listened to the words from the bishopric, then the letter sent from our area authority, I was impressed to read these words from the scriptures, "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail...Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:34, 36)

When Rachel was here last week, she told of one of her friends, who lives in the flood plain. They have moved their valuables from their home into a storage facility on high ground, kept only what they need for day to day living in their home, have things packed as much as possible for an evacuation, and have arranged to move to her parents' home if need be. They have done all they can, and now will leave things in the Lord's hands. We were counseled to prepare, then to pray that the elements may be tempered in our behalf, but to know that regardless of what happens, the Lord knows us and loves us. We have been asked to look at our situations and what we could do to assist. We also know that if there is flooding, we may be asked to assist with cleanup and other needs.

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eys, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings." (D&C 58:3-4)

My challenge to each of you this week: Examine your preparation for the difficulties that life can bring, and do one thing to improve your situation. If you think you have "done everything you need to do", then pray and ask what else you need to do, because there is always something to be done.

We love you. God bless.

Love, Mom