Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard  

A few of the small and wonderful things from the past week which brought untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.  

 

 

 

(Did you have this book when you were a child?)

 

Getting to sing all the Christmas Carols in church, all month long.  I love listening to and singing the carols.  When we lived down South, our Bishop would always sing Oh Holy Night at Christmas time, with his son accompanying him on the piano and it was beautiful. Todd always really looked forward to that each year. It was beautiful.  It is such a hard song to sing, and he did it wonderfully. I think that is one of Todd's favourite carols! 

 

  

 

Christmas movies, and yes, I do watch the same ones every year.   As soon as December hits, I reign supreme over the television and I subject Todd to them as often as he will let me, lol.  He is not a tyrant so its just about every day.  I have my favourites, plus they have a Christmas movie channel on the television!  I do love the old cartoons . . .  Frosty and Rudolph and the Grinch, but my ab favourite is Charlie Brown's Christmas.  I save that for Christmas Eve.  And I also adore the Gruffalo, which has nothing to do with Christmas, but that Christmas is the perfect time to watch it.

 

 

Ugly Christmas Jumpers.  Love them.  This is from Madame Tussauds.  I don't think the Royals actually wear ugly Christmas Jumpers, but they might!  (lol even the Corgis haha)  Todd has a reindeeer one gleaned from the rag bag at the Manor that he pops on every year.  Its so funny.   

 

  

 

Crazy Christmas Headbands that you can wear to all the parties, etc.  I love them.   I get Mitzie to wear one every year as well. I just think they are cute, cute, cute. 

 

 

 

The Mormon Music Channel.  This time of year it is Christmas Music, 24/7.  I have it on all the time, when Todd isn't at home at any rate!  I have it playing now!  Its a wonderful mix of contemporary and traditional. You can find it here.  You can also download the ap onto your smart TV.  

 

 

 

Christmas Baking.  I miss having a large family to bake for.  I used to bake tons and tons every year. Now I just do a few baked gifts for neighbors and such and for the blog. All to give away for the most part as Todd and I just can't and really don't want to eat it all.  We are happy with the Christmas Cake, some mince pies and of course Todd loves his Christmas Pudding. 

 

I have never been really great at decorating things.  I don't really have the patience! 

 

  

 

Putting up our big Nativity Scene.  I love this.  It is old and falling apart, but it holds pride of place on our sideboard. It was a gift from Doreen.  She didn't use it anymore and gave it to us.  We have quite a few nativities actually, but this is our favourite because it represents not only the real reason for the season in the Birth of the Christ Child, but the love of a friend. 

 

 

 

Brilliant Sun Sets  . . .  and sunrises for that matter.  We have had some spectacular ones this past week. There was supposed to be a brilliant full moon last night, but we had too much cloud cover to see it here where we live.

 

  

 

Mitzie Cuddles.

They're the best! 

 

 

 

Christmas Cards which have started to arrive.  Its such a cheerful thing to have one pop through the mailbox.  I am late getting ours out again this year.  It all boils down to money doesn't it. I thought we would have more money this year, but alas . . . we do not.  Something I thought I was going to get (Income tax refund) I am not going to get after all.  Just goes to show you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch!  I don't really know why I am not getting it, just that I am not.  All the telephone numbers they give you to call can only be accessed from Canada and the US.  So I am stuck with an automated machine that keeps hanging up on me and I am beyond frustrated now with it, so I give up.  I will get my cards in the post eventually, just not this week. They are coming though.  So don't lose hope just yet! 

 

 

When I see all the tumult and the drama in the world, and I think of my own little life, I realise that my own little life with its small ups and downs is very, very good.  I am not wealthy by any stretch, but I have what I need.  That is a bonus.  We both are enjoying relatively good health. We have plenty of love and a roof over our heads.  We have each other and we have the Gospel in our lives. We have friends to care for and who care for us.  We are rich in the things which bring us joy and peace and lasting happiness.  Life is good.  Very, very, good.  Whenever I am tempted to think that it is not, I remind myself that it could always be a whole lot worse and I count my blessings. 

 

A good life is one in which you can

count your blessings and run out of

fingers to count them on.

And I can.

And with that I better leave you with a thought for today because my time is fast fleeing!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.°If you tell the truth,

you don't have to remember anything.

~Mark Twain•。★★ 。*

 

Spiritual Enlightenment

 

  

 

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 6:8-7:11 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? How do the people of the Lord wait for Him?  

 

My Thoughts - In these verses we get shown a lot about the Lords character. "The Lord has shown unto" Jacob many things. We learn the Lord is merciful, He is our Redeemer, He fulfils His covenants, He is the Holy One, Mighty God, Saviour, the Mighty One who will "contend with them that contendeth with thee". He gives the power to speak, to hear, He gives help, He is near, He justifieth. And yet verse one and two cut me to the core. "Ye have sold yourselves" and "when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer". Heavenly Father and my Saviour have given me agency. They love me. They bless me. They want to guide me. Yet I wander.  In seasons I have walked in darkness, and have filled my life with the things important to this world, and cast aside things of eternal worth. "O wretched [woman] that I am"!!!! "nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted....He hath led me, preserved me, filled me, He hath heard my cry" 2 Nephi 4:17-23. I love the power that is in the scripture to both cut deep and raise up on eagles wings. 

 

A good talk to go with this is "Where is the pavilion" by President Eyring. You can find that here. 

 

Tomorrows Reading (Day 46) -  2 Nephi 8:1-25 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? Why do you think so many people put their trust in the things of men instead of trying to get close to the Lord? 

 

 

 

In the English Kitchen today  . . .  Stuffed Meatloaf.  This is delicious.  Simple comfort food.

 

I hope you have a week filled with things and happenings which bring you joy!  Don't forget!

 

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And I do too!