wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

I read something poignant from Ralph Waldo Emerson last night. He said, "Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself." This Christmas I hope we can all remember what we are really giving and receiving. I have been given the wonderful gift of a loving family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that I will always be able to give the pure love of Christ to others, holding nothing back.

I love you all.

Merry Christmas!

is in love with John Denver.

As many of you know, I've had a slight obsession with cowboys and Native Americans this year (no, I'm not going to say "Indians"). This song is my absolute favorite Christmas song at the moment. I close my eyes and picture it. It makes me want to write more of my novel. I think I will tonight... if I can get through three meetings, tithing settlement, and volleyball.

"Christmas for Cowboys"
John Denver


Tall in the saddle, we spend Christmas Day,

driving the cattle over snow covered-plains.

All of the good gifts given today,

ours is the sky and the wide open range.


Back in the cities they have different ways,

football and eggnog and Christmas parades.

I'll take a blanket, I'll take the reins,

It's Christmas for cowboys wide-open plains.


A campfire for warmth as we stop for the night,

the stars overhead are Christmas tree lights.

The wind sings a hymn as we bow down to pray,

It's Christmas for cowboys, wide-open plains.


It's tall in the saddle we spend Christmas Day,

driving the cattle over snow-covered plains.

So many gifts have been opened today,

ours is the sky and the wide open range.


It's Christmas for cowboys, wide open plains.

is printing a retraction.

Okay, I spoke too soon. As usual. On Saturday I got a slip in the mailbox for a package the mail carrier couldn't deliver because we weren't home. It was from my missionary. Of course he didn't forget. I'm such a dork. I'll be writing an "I'm sorry" letter this week!

I'm going to pick it up today... I can't wait!

is 27.

I had a great birthday. Thanks to everyone who expressed kind wishes by phone, text, email, facebook, and in person. I am so grateful to have you in my life. I don't expect much out of birthdays anymore, just the promise of being with the people that I love, or at least hearing from them. For the most part, my loved ones took good care of me this year.

However, there is one pebble in my shoe this birthday, or maybe it's more of a thorn in my saddle. Either way, there was one person I wanted to hear "Happy Birthday" from and I didn't. I know my missionary is busy. I know he had an eventful week last week (he had a baptism!), but all I needed were two words from him and I didn't get them. It would be understandable if it had only happened once, but it happened last year too. In 99.9% other ways he is incredibly thoughtful, but I have to admit, I'm a little peeved. Actually, more like hurt. I have already forgiven him, but I hope that he'll still say something soon.

In the meantime, my tender heart is being soothed by John Denver's "Christmas for Cowboys." I highly recommend it. It's in my new "Folky Christmas" playlist.

misses Elder Wirthlin.

Today Elder Wirthlin, an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away at age 91. He was one of my favorite apostles to hear from, not that we should have favorites, but I really connected with him and the way he spoke to us. He was always centered on the mercy that is available to us through Jesus Christ and the love that we should show to each other. I read "Concern for the One" over and over again. It truly did change my life to hear his words. Here are some of my favorite quotes from that talk:

"True disciples of Jesus Christ have always been concerned for the one. Jesus Christ is our greatest example. He was surrounded by multitudes and spoke to thousands, yet He always had concern for the one. 'For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost,” He said. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?'"

"The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole."

"Brothers and sisters, if only we had more compassion for those who are different from us, it would lighten many of the problems and sorrows in the world today. It would certainly make our families and the Church a more hallowed and heavenly place."

"Except for the Lord, we have all made mistakes. The question is not whether we will trip and fall but, rather, how will we respond? Some, after making mistakes, stray from the fold. This is unfortunate. Do you not know that the Church is a place for imperfect people to gather together—even with all their mortal frailties—and become better?....I am not aware of any sign on the door of our meetinghouses that reads 'Restricted Entrance—Perfect People Only.'"

"I know that each of you bears a concern for a loved one. Give encouragement, service, and support to them. Love them. Be kind to them. In some cases, they will return. In others, they will not. But in all cases, let us ever be worthy of the name we take upon ourselves, even that of Jesus Christ."

I know that Elder Wirthlin was a disciple of Christ and that I have greatly benefitted from hearing his wise counsel. I will miss him.

is getting in the Christmas spirit.

I'm wearing my red plaid scarf, I've got Stephen's hot chocolate in my snowman mug, a new pine air freshener is sitting on my desk (and I've disposed of the mini pumpkins in my office too), and I'm listening to a Sufjan Stevens/Carpenters/Bing Crosby/The Weepies holiday mix on Pandora. Yes, December is here. Only 25 days until Christmas! Only one day until my birthday! Life is good.

P.S. My boss decided to take a week off of work to go to Hawaii. Little does she know it's a vacation for me too. Hehe.