The bliss of solitude

Friday, December 11, 2009

Christmas Greetings

Hello, friends! I'm afraid that I had to limit those whom I mailed Christmas cards to this year to people that are not on facebook. Namely, Aunts and Uncles and old people :). However, because of the magic of Facebook and Blogger, I was able to reconnect with many dear but far away, cousins, friends, school mates, and roommates and send you an electronic copy. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Christmas Greetings from the Burley Browns!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Reason for the Season (Part 2)

Don't you love the First Presidency Christmas Devotional?! Chris made hot chocolate and baked cookies, and Mom came over to watch it with us. I always feel refreshed after watching the Christmas Devotional. Here are a few pictures from the Church News and a few quotes I was able to pull off of KSL's article.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said, "Let us see the Christ in Christmas. This is a season of rejoicing. A season of celebration. A wonderful time when we acknowledge that our almighty God sent his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world. To redeem us."

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, reminded members to serve others. "Let us lift up those who are tired and hungry and lonely as the Savior did and now invites us to do with him. As we do, they can feel how much the Savior loves them and wants to lead them to the God he loves," he said.

President Thomas S. Monson asked everyone to put aside their differences and distractions and ponder the true meaning of Christmas. "Finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts. Really, joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the world," he said.

To watch the full devotional click here.

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Reason for the Season (Part 1)

Each year, I try to look for ways to add the Reason for the Season back into my Christmas celebration. I think it is too easy for me to get caught up in the shopping and the decorating and the parties and forget that the center of Christmas is Christ. The funny thing is that once you start looking for the Reason it is easy to find.

This week we had a Christmas Relief Society dinner. As a service project they brought Books of Mormon for us to write our testimonies in then we'll send them to the missionaries serving from our ward. They ordered enough Books that we could give them away as well. As I started to write my testimony, I was struck by how simply and strongly it came. After all, at this Christmas time when all our thoughts turn to the birth of Jesus it is an opportune time to share a testimony of the divinity of God. So in this spirit, I'd like to share my testimony with all of you.

I know God lives and he loves us. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. He is my elder brother who loves me. He suffered for my sins, and I am so thankful for him! I believe the words in the Book of Mormon will lead us closer to him. I have gained so much peace and strength and comfort in my life by following these teachings. I would encourage you to read it, try it, experiment upon the word and see the blessings flow into your life. I will be forever grateful for a loving God.