Tender Mercies

 Merry Christmas!! At the beginning of the 2015 Christmas Season, I was sitting in my bed late one evening when a knock was heard at the door. Confused as to who would come by at 9:30 PM, we checked to see who it was, only to find on our doorstep a mini Christmas tree, cookies, and ornaments.  This small Christ-like gesture was a perfect reminder to me of the true meaning of Christmas--that of love for our neighbors. It also came at the perfect time, a reminder to me that I am looked out for and loved by my Savior. Little did they know we were not going to have a tree this year if it weren't for them! I wish I could tell whoever it was "Thank you," but since it was anonymous, this will have to suffice.  Christmas is also a time to spend with those we love best...friends, families, and/or our furry friends. It is also to celebrate the birth of our Savior. This past week I was blessed to be able to spend it with my family in Arizona. I wish you all a very M...

Christmas trees are important.  I have good memories of going to the California mountains with my family every year to cut down our Christmas tree. I loved decorating it with ornaments while listening to Christmas music on our player piano.  This year is our first year actually spending Christmas in our own home, so it was imperative to have a tree! Well, at least it was for me.  But I didn't want to spend $60-$100 for a real one.  We don't have any space to store a fake one after the decorations come down.  We live in Alaska where the really nice, "classic" trees don't grow (at least I didn't see any). We borrowed a snowmachine from Marshall's buddy and we rode off into the hills until we found a tree that would do. It was relatively even and wasn't brown and dead. At least not all the way yet. I was pretty happy with it. I think the best part was just spending time with the man I love. My fingers were pretty numb by the ...