Angie's Christmas Countdown, December 9

I've often thought about Joseph, Mary's husband. He must have been a remarkable man, very good, very loving, very faithful.

Adoption has played a big part in my family, my sister and two nephews are mine through adoption. From this perspective, it's very sweet to think of Jesus being raised by an adopted father. Not his actual father, but a man who took on this child, and his mother, and gave them a family.

Here is the dream that Joseph had while trying to decide what to do after learning that Mary was having a baby.

Matthew 1:20-25
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Angie's Christmas Countdown, December 8

I got a message from my brother in Rochester, MN today saying that they watched the broadcast of the Chirstmas Devotional and saw us on TV! It's funny because Mariah and I were discussing what we could do to ensure that we got on TV, like stand up and sing along with the choir, every time, but in the end we chickened out. Looks like we got on anyway. I'm going to see if I can watch the recording on the Church website.

Here is todays Christmas Countdown Scripture:

1 Nephi 11:14-23
14 And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?
15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.
16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?
22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

Angie's Christmas Countdown, December 7

Hello All,
Last night my family and I went to the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. It was gorgeous. We've gone every year for as long as I've worked at the COB, and it's become a Christmas highlight. I love it.

The Choir always performs at devotional along with the Orchestra at Temple Square. Last night they did "For Unto Us a Child is Born", which is in my opinion one of the best songs ever to be performed live, that and "The Hallelujah Chorus". Both give me chills. I was thinking about the words to that song. As you know, they come from the book of Isaiah and his prophecies about Christ. It made me wonder about other Christmas prophecies, and then I thought, "Let's find one every day from now until Christmas Day and put them on the blog." What a good idea! So, here's the first, the one from Isaiah, made so beautiful by Handel:

Isaiah 9:6-7: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

'Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end..."

A Week in Review

Hello Everybody! I’m told that this is the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to put an exclamation point on that sentiment than with a blog post? Here’s a Week in Review.

Candlelight Christmas
Marla and I discovered a Salt Lake City gem – Candlelight Christmas at This is the Place Heritage Park. It’s beautiful. Everyone I’ve told about this since being there has said that they didn’t know that the park had a Christmas event, so I’m on a mission to get the word out. It’s a great evening. All of the buildings and homes are decorated with an old fashioned, classic theme, lots of evergreen branches, red ribbons and lights. I’m pretty sure that the early settlers did not have electric light displays, but you can see the danger in combining candles with branches and ribbons. They’d hate to burn down the park. Anyway, there are great light displays along the outside of the park and up on the hill. Some of the fences had wagon wheels in lights all along them, very cute.

AND there’s a train ride. We debated riding the train because of the cold, but the workers assured us that there were blankets on the benches, so we braved it. It turned out to be my favorite part of the night. The train was so cute with its holly and bows, and there was Christmas music playing. We rode past the big light displays, and through the village, and then up the hill. At the top of the hill there was a small pond, and a large sailing ship in lights sitting just on the edge so that it reflects in the water. From there we could see across the whole valley. It was gorgeous, and I loved being there with Marla, just the two of us, having our own Christmas evening together.

There’s a lot more to do at the park than I’ve written here, craft projects, Father Christmas, a live nativity. It’s all good. I recommend going.

Book
I’m reading an interesting book, “The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits”. The title pretty much says it all – it’s a biography on Dickens and his writing of A Christmas Carol, and of how that book changed English and American societies’ views on Christmas. I just started it, so I don’t have any fascinating facts to interest you with right now, but I will, and I’m sure you’ll be looking forward to that.

A Paper
I finally finished a term paper for my History class. It’s on a couple of documents from British history, one of those being the Magna Carta, and I’ve been working on it forever! Here’s how this went down: the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, and while there I thought “Hey, that would make a good paper” and then got started. That was almost 800 years ago. Way too long to be working on a paper. But, it’s done, and I think that I’ll be able to submit it today. What a relief.

Christmas
Isn’t it strange that it’s Christmas time again already? Melissa bought a tree for our apartment on Tuesday. It’s really pretty – very full and thick, and perfectly shaped. I wasn’t too interested in the tree one way or the other, but now that it’s up, and the place smells all piney, I like it.

I’ve decided to take a more relaxed approach to Christmas this year. I have in the past gotten too worked up over it. I don’t know where people get all of their expectations, but I’ve had it in my head that Christmas is for families, and it’s suppose to be so full of love and warmth and excitement that you’re in danger of your chest exploding. I kind of blame those tv commercials with the guy who buys his wife diamond jewelry and then gives it to her while she’s sitting in her rocking chair with their new baby. Geesh.

But soon after Thanksgiving I was thinking about that holiday and how much I love it, and a big reason for loving it is because it’s so relaxed. No pressure. Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be anything other than what it is. And then I realized that Christmas can be exactly the same. Christmas doesn’t have to BE anything either. It can adapt to all of us, whatever our circumstances. It’s a lovely holiday. The trees and decorations are gorgeous, the music is good, parties are fun, and you know I love getting a gift or two. I can be happy with and love Christmas just as it is, for what it is. And of course there is at the heart of the holiday the birth of our Savior. Some of the most beautiful verses in scripture are the Christmas story. They’re simple and sweet with so much importance in so few words.

That’s how I’m going to do Christmas this year, simply and with importance put on the little things. No pressure to make it spectacular, just enjoying it for what it is.

Thanks as always for your continued friendship.
You are loved.

Glee

Love this so much!

Random Weekend Recap

Not working for two days in a row really is nice.

I’d get bored if it happened all the time, but every now and then is great.

Speaking of great, I sure do like a turkey dinner.

Especially the stuffing.

And the rice & broccoli casserole.

What? You don’t have rice & broccoli casserole? I suggest you call my sister-in-law for the recipe.

It’s nice to be the girl who is invited to someone else’s house. I didn’t have to make a thing.

Sierra beat me at Apples to Apples.

She beat me bad.

I’m crying.

We took a nice walk through the neighborhood and around a little lake.

The lake had a thin sheet of ice over it.

We threw rocks through the ice.

I just got very confused with threw and through.

While walking, I poured my heart out to my big brother, and he solved my problems.

Every girl should have a Barry in her life. He even gave me a hug and an “I love you Ang.”

I’m crying again.

After the walk we played Scattergories, and if we’d kept score I think I would have redeemed myself from the Apples game.

I’m sure I beat Sierra.

Take that Sierra.

Then we watched While You Were Sleeping because Melody wanted to.

I forget how good that movie is. Very charming.

I slept in forever on Friday.

I am not one of those suckers who go to the store at 4am.

If you are one of those, then I’m sorry I called you a sucker.

But only kind of sorry.

I cleaned my apartment. Man did it need that.

And then I worked on photo albums.

The kids sure were cute when they were little.

Sometimes I forget what they looked like then. They’re so grown up now.

And Sierra likes to beat me at games, and that’s not cute.

But I love her still.

I love them all.

Melissa and I went to see The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Fantastic! It's really fun.

You should see it.

And then we ate Pei Wei.

Also fantastic.

Saturday I had to muster up all of my courage and strength and go to work at the bookstore.

And found that it really wasn’t bad.

Not nearly as bad as I had feared.

Marla and I took Jonah to the mall that evening, and it wasn’t too crowded either. Nice.

Jonah thinks that going to a store with Angie means that Angie will buy him something.

I bought him a cookie.

The girls used to think that same thing.

I blame myself.

On the way home I noticed all of the pretty decorations up on the street lights and smiled.

Christmas lights are gorgeous.

My primary lesson on Sunday went pretty well.

The kids always ask me if I brought snacks, and I always say no.

I’m not as nice a primary teacher as I am an aunt.

But I promised them that I’ll bring something next time.

I better write that down and remember it.

I spent all afternoon sitting on my bed with the bright sunshine coming through my window and reading.

Until I fell asleep.

So nice.

And then I watched TV until bedtime.

Sometimes a lazy Sunday is good for the soul.

That’s my recap.
Hope you all had a lovely holiday!
And are ready for all of the fun and the chaos that is Christmas.

Here’s a trailer for Mr. Fox. It really is funny.

Oh All Right

Sierra and I have a bit of an Apples to Apples rivalry going on. Have you ever played Apples? It's a fun, fun game, a family favorite. Some time ago we started a battle of words, me telling her that she's going down. Her telling me that she's not going anywhere. Neither one of us has ever won the game (against the whole group), not that I remember anyway, but we each feel pretty good about beating each other. And by the way - it's usually me beating her.

Last Friday we played Apples with the family, and she beat me by one card. A crushing defeat. Humiliation. She commented on my last post that I didn't mention her beating me, so I'm going to be mature and give Sierra kudos for her victory. This is easier for me knowing that it will be her last one. Her very last.

There's going to be a Thanksgiving smack down.