Merry Christmas!

Dear Family and Friends,
I truly hope this message finds you all happy, healthy and enjoying this wonderful time of year.
I know it can be a busy, stressful and at moments-purely chaotic, but I hope that somewhere in each day you are able to sit down, relax, reflect, reminisce and just take in the spirit that fills the air. There is rare a time like it and to let it pass by as being only a "crazy time of year" would be so sad, so it is my wish for everyone to enjoy the season for what it tryuly is.
I will be honest that there are times that when I hear the word "christmas" I instantly think of presents- Who do I need to buy for? What do they want? How much do I need to give? How much do I spend? etc...How grateful I am for those times when I am quietly invited by the Spirit to stop and think of the true meaning of this holiday-A gift given out of pure love from a loving Heavenly Father to His beloved children that would bring them peace beyond their pain, joy beyond their sorrow and love beyond their understanding. How grateful I am for the birth, life, Atonement and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Just as He gave, we are able to give. Our offerings will be ever so small compared to His, but within each of us is the ability to share what we can with those who are in need. My family has been blessed by so many of your offerings and I thank you for those. Some of you have let us give to you and I thank you also for that- for you have taught us where real happiness comes from.
So while I wish I could give gifts to so many of you to show you that I care and appreciate you, I will wish for each of you this year and always-the gift of peace. Peace from your troubles, trials, sorrows and peace that came in a lowly stable so many years ago. Merry, Merry Christmas!