December 15, 2009 - Taking Joy in our Homes and the Season

As we were enjoying these pictures, John commented on how our Father in Heaven has blessed us so richly--beyond our wildest dreams. All our needs are met. We recognize the privilege of living in comfort--to have such a lovely place of retreat from the varities of the world, to be warm when it is cold outside and cool when it is hot, to retreat from the brazen ugliness of the world and the harshness of some of today's societies. It is the time of year to take stock of such things.

How quickly the fall semester has passed. We've shared the "ups-and-downs of romance, engagements and weddings, new students moving in, and other moving out and on to something else. We've seen growth in these wonderful young people, especially the beginning college-students who arrived in the fall. We've taken special joy as we've shared experiences with those who have come to a knowledge of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and have been baptized into His true Church.

We've finished another semester. In a few days the students will complete their finals and leave us all alone for the holidays. Still, our social calendar seems to fill up. Local members of the Church are concerned that we are not alone at such a "family time of the year." And there are projects we've anticipated we might be able to accomplish during this time with fewer scheduled obligations. And though we are without our children and grandchildren, our brothers and sisters and their families, we have each other--this great blessing we value! WHERE WE ARE TOGETHER, THERE IS HOME!