JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS

Santa lives at the North Pole;

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh;

JESUS calms winds and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ;

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ;

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ;

JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa ;

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap;

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name; all he can say is, "Hi little boy /girl, What's your name?"

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name,

He knows our address too.

He knows our history and future and He even knows

how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly;

JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is, HO HO HO;

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry;"

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa's little helpers make toys;

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes

and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree,

JESUS became our gift and died on the Tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND FULFILLED NEW YEAR.

December Challenge

Last Sunday, we were given an interesting and uplifting challenge in Relief Society. With the holiday season upon us, we were reminded that one of the greatest gifts we have is our Conference Issue Ensign magazine with all of the talks by our general authorities from October's General Conference.

Our Relief Society president, Carolyn Cottam, challenged us to read the entire Ensign during the month of December. Seems like a big request with us having "so much on our plate" this month. BUT, she said that she counted up the number of talks in both Saturday sessions, both Sunday sessions, and the Relief Society General Broadcast - - it totalled 31 - - the same number of days in the month of December. She told us if we read one article a day for the entire month, we will have read all 31. For extra credit, we could read the talks from the Priesthood Session as well.

One of the neat talks in the magazine was that of Elder Worthlin. You have to read it to appreciate it - - especially since he passed away this past Monday night at the age of 91. He talked about how important laughter is in life and in a family. There is a fun story in his talk that will make just about anyone that reads it laugh. He makes other good points as well -- but I'll let you read it for yourself.

I'm gonna take the challenge and have already read two articles - - Sister Cottam gave us a little checklist to help keep us motivated while we read. Sometimes when you have the opportunity to have a visual aid showing you how much you're accomplishing, it can help you keep going until your goal is complete.

ENJOY YOUR ENSIGN - - it is so full of valuable information - - intellectual and spiritual!

HOLIDAY "GOODIES"

The holiday time is always a great time to share cool, new recipes. I have one that I put away "to save" several years ago. It has all of the stuff in it that I like and thought it would be really good. I will probably try it in the next few weeks, but wanted to give ya'll the opportunity to try something yummy:

CHOCOLATE CHIP TREASURE COOKIES

1 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 Cup All-purpose Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 (14 oz.)can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 (3 1/2 oz.) can Flaked Coconut (1 1/2 cups)
1 (12 oz.) pkg. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips (2 cups)
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, flour, and baking powder. In large mixer bowl, beat sweetened condensed milk and butter until smooth. Add graham cracker crumb mixture; mix well. Stir in coconut, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons unto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Store loosely covered at room temperature.


Let me know if you make them before I do. ENJOY!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

A TIME TO GIVE THANKS

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a "Holiday Devotional" for all temple workers from the Mesa Arizona Temple. We each received a program that included a heartfelt message from our Temple Presidency. I wanted to share a few thoughts on thankfulness with you:

"It is our hope that each of us can deepen our feelings of gratitude during the Holiday Season. You will remember that President Hinckley, in his address to the youth of the Church in November of 2000 listed, 'Be Grateful' as the first of his 'Six Bs'.

President McKay taught: 'Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.'

Your kindness, love and caring for those who come to the temple is a wonderful example of your gratitude.

The Lord has counseled: 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.' (D&C 59:7) This would include not just good things, but also difficult things in our life. When we come to the temple, even in difficult times, we find a 'place of thanksgiving for my saints.' (D&C 97:13) May the temple always provide for us feelings of thankfulness and gratitude.

Thankfulness becomes gratitude as we recognize, with love and appreciation, that the source of all our blessings is our Father in Heaven. His greatest gift to us was allowing His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to come to earth and to effectuate His eternal plan through the atonement. This precious gift of the atonement gives purpose and meaning to all that we do."

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve in the Mesa Arizona Temple and to work with such wonderful brothers and sisters each week. I am very thankful for the multitude of blessings that I experience in my life each and everyday. They are too numerous to name at this time, but one of the most important blessings I have in my life are my family members. May each and every one of you that take the time to read this blog know how much I love you and appreciate having you as part of my earthly family.

PRIMARY PROGRAMS

PRIMARY PROGRAMS are always the BEST!! The music and message are always awesome, but watching the children (especially grandchildren) sing numerous uplifting songs and give their speaking parts is "priceless."

Today we went to see the Dickinson clan participate in their Primary Presentation. We usually get to see Nancy and Jim Stradling there too (Ben's Mom and stepdad) and we're always amazed at all of the people we see that we know that are also coming to support their extended families (grandchildren).

The program was great - - the theme was "I Am A Child of God" - - and Anson, Ashley, Felicia, and Nathaniel all gave their speaking parts very nicely. Anson was right up front with the other Sunbeams and although he wasn't completely able to sit still, he was very quiet! Way to go guys!!!

Now it's off to Tithing Settlement, church, home for dinner and then to the Holiday Devotional for all temple workers. That should be really cool too especially since our past Stake President (now general authority), Daryl Garn, will be the key speaker. We always love to hear him speak - - he is so spiritual and sweet and so down-to-earth!

Hope everybody has a great Sunday - - ours is definitely off to a good start!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPENCER!!

Today is the 31st Birthday of my son, Spencer Condie Call! I hope he has a very Happy Birthday! I'm sorry he lives so far away because that means that we can't see him in person on his birthday - - bummer! But we do know that he will have a fun day with his family celebrating his birthday!!

I'm sorry that Spencer and Merrianne both decided to close down their blogs because now we don't get to hear much about how things are going in their family. Hope if they decide to open new ones that they will let us know and invite us to view them.

Or better yet, it would be great to hear first-hand how things are going - - our email is still the same as always.

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my special son, SPENCER!!!

Love ya bunches & bunches,
MOM

ELECTION '08

Well, it looks like many of us have had a JOLT!!! Even though many of the election polls showed Barrack Obama considerably ahead of John McCain - - I still kept thinking that McCain would be able to pull ahead and win. At least I was hoping!! Sorry to say, I was wrong.

I have been very concerned about many of the liberal ideas held by him (Obama) and many of his followers. And his background seems to be full of "interesting" people. Some of the people that voted for him actually think that he can CHANGE all of the problems of the American people overnight! History is full of politicians that have made interesting and bizarre campaign promises - - MANY of which could never happen. Some people actually think that he can "fix" our economy overnight too and that all unemployed Americans will have jobs handed to them as soon as he is sworn in - - NOT!! And what about EVERYONE being entitled to affordable health insurance - - how is he going to do that?? Many small businesses will go under because they can't afford to give health insurance to their employees.

Our Congress has been under the influence of a majority Democratic vote for the past four years and they are the ones that should take a brunt of the blame for how our economy is right now. It's too bad the blame was placed almost entirely on President Bush! Because of that blame, many people switched what would-have-been Republican votes to "the other side."

Things were starting to look up for the Anti-Abortion possibility - - but that went out the window with Obama being elected. AND with his lack of support/respect for the American flag, who knows what will happen to the phrase "One Nation UNDER GOD" that so many liberals want to do away with?? What about our troops - - does he think he can just call them home when we are in the middle of a war?? We need to finish what we started!

The next 4 years is going to be yield many CHANGES for the American people - - hope there can be a few positive ones in there somewhere!

Thank Heaven for the Gospel of Jesus Christ - - it does not change! It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!!! AND with the Lord's help, we'll all make it through what the future holds for us! But watch out 2012 - - - if Obama doesn't pull off what he promised the American people during the next four years - - - that will be an interesting election to watch!!!

And as a final note - - since so many of the Obama supporters are truly interested in the really "important details" - - I wonder what kind of puppy the Obama kids will have when they go to live in the White House??? Remember, he mentioned that in his acceptance speech!

TODAY

I keep finding "interesting" messages that I think are good to share:

TODAY

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds - - but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

This leaves only one day - - Today. Any man can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities - - Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of Today that drives men mad - - it is remorse and bitterness for something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.

Heaven's Grocery Store

I ran across a short story that I thought was worth sharing:

HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago. One day, I saw a sign that read, "HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE."

As I got a little closer, the door opened wide, and I found myself standing inside.

I saw a host of ANGELS. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, "My Child, shop with care."

Everything a human needed was in that grocery store. And if you couldn't carry it all, you could come back the next day for more.

First, I got some PATIENCE. LOVE was in the same row. Further down was UNDERSTANDING, you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH. I just couldn't miss the HOLY GHOST, for it was all over the place.

I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE TO HELP ME RUN THIS RACE. By then my basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed some GRACE.

I didn't forget SALVATION, for SALVATION was free. So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.

Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill. For I thought I had everything to do the MASTER'S will.

As I went up the aisle, I saw PRAYER and I just had to put that in, for I knew when I stepped outside, I would run into sin.

PEACE and JOY were plentiful, they were last on the shelf. SONG and PRAISE were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the Angel, "Now, how much do I owe?"

He smiled again and said: "MY CHILD, GOD PAID YOUR BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO."

GOOD LUCK, CHRISTY!!

My daughter, Christy, has been studying her little heart out for quite some time now to be able to score big-time on the SAT tests. We wish you luck in every area of the test!! Sure hope all of your efforts and help from your friends pays off for you this Saturday!!

I know this is very important to you and want you to know that I'm totally excited for you and cheering you on!! Try to get some rest before the big test - - I know you've been putting in extremely long hours at work to make up for time you were off because of your cellulitis - - but don't forget to take of yourself too!!

We love you, Christy, and wish you the very best in ALL you do!!

Love,
Mom

I GOT TAGGED!

My daughter, Andrea, tagged me - - so here goes:

1) I always wanted to be taller - - not much - - just a little. When I was a teenager, bell-bottom pants were totally cool and in style. Well, during the Dark Ages, they hadn’t yet invented “petite” clothes so I had to shorten everything I bought. Well, you guessed it, when you totally shorten bell bottoms - - you lose the “bell” completely! Bummer!! When I met my sister-in-law, Carol, she confided in me that she always wanted to be a little shorter - - because she always had to “add on” fabric to her pants to make them a little longer. That made me feel a little better - - AND the fact that I never had to worry about dating a guy that was shorter than me! (I always thought that 5’2” to 5’4” would have been ideal!)

2) When I was younger, I loved horseback riding. I was born in Detroit and when we came to Arizona, there were some stables not far from my house. I was a little nervous the first time I went riding, but loved it. From age 11 to 15, most of my saved-up money went to horseback riding. I even got to know the owner of the stables and offered to work there on weekends so I could ride horses for free. A couple of my friends and I would clean out stalls, feed the horses, catch them and bridle and saddle them for others to ride, and brush them down after they were ridden to cool them down. An added plus was the fact that there were some really cute guys that worked there too. I even used to ride bareback and it definitely showed on the back of my cutoff levis - - I’d go home with stained pants and smelling like horses - - but I loved it. That’s where I met one of my very best friends, Sherry Lynch - - she adored horses too and rode whenever she could!

3) Sports - - believe it or not, I played Softball, Volleyball, and did Track during seventh and eighth grade. I liked Basketball too, but wasn’t much good at guarding because I was too short, but I was pretty good at making baskets. I played on my school’s team against other schools and we were pretty good! In high school, I got to be a pretty good Tennis player and was asked to go out for the team, but I was kind of self-conscious about a one on one sport and didn’t do it. I wish now that I had! I used to love Badminton and have always enjoyed Bowling.

4) I absolutely, positively hate flying. I was fortunate to have the greatest in-laws anyone could hope for and they died in a plane crash a year after Mike and I were married. It instilled in me the reality that plane crashes really DO happen! Losing them both together at one time really made me nervous about flying anywhere with my husband because I saw first-hand kids becoming orphans and I didn’t want that to happen to my children. We have flown together a few times and I have white-knuckled it the whole way. The absolute worst things about flying are the take-offs and landings - - I hate them. Even though it takes a lot longer to drive somewhere, I’d rather do that than fly!

5) I love old movies. They just don’t make movies nowadays like they used to. I love movies with Carey Grant, James Stewart, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Shirley Temple, Elvis Presley, and tons of other oldies. I also love movies like Gidget, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Old Yeller, Pollyanna, Parent Trap, An Affair to Remember, Sex and the Single Girl (with Natalie Wood), West Side Story, and the list goes on. I like comedies, dramas, movies about animals, war movies, chick flicks, adventure, you name it. I also like old TV shows like I Dream of Jeanie, Bewitched, Fantasy Island, Dark Shadows, McHale’s Navy, Mr. Ed, the original Mickey Mouse Club, American Bandstand, etc. And TODAY, I am hooked on Lifetime Movies. **And my daughters and I love shows like Grease, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club, etc., etc., etc.

6) I found out at a fairly early age that following a recipe when cooking is a very wise thing to do. Just because some things in the kitchen look alike does not mean that they are always interchangeable. My Mom was at work and I was going to surprise her by baking cookies. In the middle of putting my concoction together, I realized that I didn’t have any Baking Powder. Upon looking through the cupboard, I found Baking Soda. They both started with “baking” and were white and powdery - - so I guessed that one would probably substitute well for the other. Not so!!! Use what the recipe calls for or make darn sure what a respectable substitute would be - - don’t assume anything! The cookies were awful!!! I also found out that there are some really good mixes available that are super easy. AND when I do follow a recipe, I read it closely to make sure I’m using the right stuff.

7) I once had a disagreement with my husband and told him I’d rather walk home than get in the car with him. He said, “Fine.” The only problem with this situation was that we were in Scottsdale at the time and our home was in West Phoenix. All of us ladies know that our husbands will let us stew a little and walk a little and then they’ll come and pick us up - - right??? Well, all during my 14-mile walk home, I kept looking back waiting to see our car and my hubby coming to pick me up. Wrong! I just got a stiff neck from looking back and sore feet from walking. To top it off, I was wearing a new pair of shoes that gave me blisters right off the bat. So I took them off and walked a good part of the way barefoot. And, I had to walk through a construction zone where the cars were continuously throwing gravel on me. It took me fours to walk home and believe me, when I got there I was ready to kill my husband. He made me even angrier by saying he thought I had probably gotten a ride from a friend or somebody. I did learn one important lesson - - next time I get upset, I won’t be the one walking home!!

Boy, these were really hard to come up with. I don’t think I want to be tagged ever again

Sharing a Friend's Loss

Yesterday I attended the funeral of the granddaughter of a very good friend (Donna Wheeler) that I work with at the Arizona Temple. It was devastating for her. Her granddaughter (Brenna) was only 33 years old and was a beautiful person - - daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, wife, mother, stepmother, and friend to everyone who came in contact with her. What a loss and so young! There were heartfelt talks and touching and humorous memories shared by her aunt, her cousin, her sister, bishop and stake president - - aren't LDS funerals great! The music was beautiful with two solo musical numbers and a harp solo that was heavenly. They said she was beautiful, always smiling, witty, loved to laugh and make others laugh. Her husband, stepchildren, and little daughter (less than 2 years old) were all heartbroken - - yet buoyed up by the knowledge that they will all be reunited someday. How glad I am that I have the knowledge of the gospel in my life so I can know that death is just a temporary separation and not a "forever loss."

This was difficult to attend the funeral of a lovely girl the same age as my daughter, Andrea, and who shared the same birthday (August 10) of my daughter, Christy. To see and hear the great tributes by family members was awesome and made me think of my own family. The closing song of the services was "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" - - the music and words are beautiful and have great meaning - - but I cannot sing it all the way through without sobbing. I am always reminded of other funerals I have attended where that same song was sung and memories come flooding back of other lost loved ones like my Mother and my Brother and others. It also makes me think of my children singing "Families Can Be Together Forever" at my Mom's funeral - - what a tear jerker that was!

Since I consider this Blog to be somewhat of a journal for me, I have to add at this time that life is very short and family and friends need to make the most of it in a loving and positive manner. Minor disagreements, differences of opinion, insecurities, jealousies, petty squabbles, and all misunderstandings (no matter how big or how little) must be forgiven and forgotten now once and for all - - because that's how Heavenly Father wants it!!

Night Out

Tonight Mike and I went to see "The Duttons" perform at the Mesa Arts Center. They are a large family that is very talented in song, dance, and many, many musical instruments. There are the Mom & Dad, the sons and daughters, and the grandchildren that all perform. They used lots of violins/fiddles, keyboard, numerous guitars and banjos, drums, etc. They also sang, danced, and did comedy.

It was so nice to go to a program that "anyone" could attend and enjoy themselves and not in any way be offended or shocked. The group made it to the Top 10 on the program "America's Got Talent." Originally there were 100,000 that tried out for the talent show.

They have their own theater, inn, and restaurant in Branson, Missouri. BUT, they've made Arizona their winter home and so they perform here, across the valley, during the winter months. Tonight was a fund raiser for the Mesa Senior Center. The place was packed, so I'd say it was definitely a "hit" and everyone that came thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

BUT ~ ~ after seeing so many talented violinists/fiddlers - - I really wished my daughter, Andrea, would start playing her violin again. She used to really enjoy it and I know her children would be totally thrilled to see their Mommy "do music" right before their eyes. It might even "inspire" them to be in band or orchestra at their school!

There were tons and tons of people from our Ward there tonight and they all had a very good time too! One special thing about going to see The Duttons - - they have oodles and oodles of homemade fudge there for sale - - in various flavor like Chocolate Mint Fudge, Rocky Road Fudge, Orange Cream Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Butter Pecan Fudge, Chocolate Fudge, Vanilla Fudge, etc. Of course, Mike bought some and enjoyed eating it during the performance. Lucky for him - - I HATE FUDGE!!! It always looks so good and smells so good - - but it is yukky because it is "too sweet" for me. Now, if it were brownies or chocolate chip cookies - - count me in!!!

Well, all in all, it was a FUN EVENING OUT with my sweetheart!

Square Foot Gardening

Tonight Mike and I went to a Date Night at our Bishop's house where we had a great presentation about "square foot gardening." Barbara Layton told us all kinds of things we needed to know to get started and to be successful in growing our very own vegetable garden. We also went to several homes in our ward neighborhood and checked out some of the gardens already underway and successful - - what an inspiration!

Mike is going to make us some square foot gardening containers so we can get started. I wanted to have some 4' X 4' ones, but Mike wants 4' X 12'. He'll probably win out since he's the one making the containers. We also found out that the City of Mesa will give you containers to create your own compost (fertilizer). You have to have special soil called Mel's Mixture which consists of Compost, Peat Moss, and Vermiculite. In your containers you have 6" of this special mixture and put your little "starter plants" in and start growing!! The neat thing about doing it this way is that YOU DON"T HAVE ANY WEEDS! I hate trying to figure which green stuff growing is "weeds" and which is my plant.

This weekend, we'll probably discuss what kinds of vegetables we'd like to grow. I was thinking along the lines of peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and a few other things that would be appropriate to plant now. (I've got to check the list of choices before I try to plant something that won't make it this time of year.) Wish us luck - - I'll write more when we're doing it or have it done.

Special note about the compost bin. You have to put stuff like grass clippings, shredded newspapers, and kitchen scraps like vegetable and fruit peelings (no eggs shells or any meat type scraps) and keep it watered down and keep mixing it around and it will turn into great fertilizer. OR if you're not up to that, you can go to a reputable nursery and buy 2 or 3 different kinds of their compost and mix them together and use it in your Mel's Mixture soil. I'll write more about this topic later too.

Thursday's Social Time

Today - THURSDAY - I went to lunch with my daughters, Christy and Andrea, and my sweet little Grandson, Anson, to one of our favoritest lunch places - - SUBWAY!! Great as usual! Afterward, Andrea and Anson came over and Andrea helped me start up my very own BLOG!! Funny, huh, me having a Blog!!!