Baptists at Our Ward Christmas Bash

I have a story to tell.  It's about a really special lady that made her own Christmas Miracle happen right here in our little town.

I want to write about this because I learned a few very important lessons today, and I feel more prepared for Christmas and it's true meaning than I have in years.

DeeDee Merrill, in our ward does everything big.  Not just big, huge.  She worked for/with Disney World in Orlando for many years and she brought her big ideas to our little town.  I mean, showmanship is so big in her family that one of her daughters married an Osmond.  (Yes, for about two weeks we had an Osmond in our ward.   Coolidge just wasn't their thing though.... I digress...)  She thinks creatively and "out of the box."

She was put in charge of our ward party this year and wanted to do something special, so she prayed and prayed, and came up with an idea.  She felt like she wanted to find another church congregation in Coolidge to celebrate Christmas with, and to make a service project for our ward.

One Sunday she felt impressed to go to the Baptist Church in our town.  This church is a small, run down, dilapidated building that has actually been condemned, (literally) and the congregation is almost entirely African American.  She arrived at their Sunday Service and sat in one of the back pews where she is completely sticking out.  The pastor gave his sermon and respectfully asked her if she has anything to share.  DeeDee proceeded to tell them she'd been praying about where to be that day and that she felt inspired to be there.

After the meeting, DeeDee met with the pastor and some other folks from the church to find out if they would be willing to come to our Ward Christmas Party and asked how we could help them.  They emotionally told her that they'd been praying for a miracle from the Lord.  They have many needy children in their congregation and didn't know how they were going to take care of them.  Needy like, need clothes and shoes - toys weren't even on the list.

So DeeDee shared her experience in our Sacrament Meeting, and shared her testimony of how wonderful this experience would be.  And then, we were all given "to do" lists. 

I'm serving in the Primary Presidency right now, and I have to admit.... after I got my "to do" list, I was feeling a little cranky and not so ready to participate.  The primary was asked to be in charge of all the children for about an hour and a half, during which time we were to prepare a nativity while the rest of the adults listened to musical numbers and did crafts seperately. Yikes!! SOOOO many reasons why that seemed like a hard and difficult thing to do.  Between both congregations, we were expecting 95 children ages 3 to 12 - and those numbers were almost certain.   After adults and children did activities, families would hayride together over to the Baptist building and everyone would sing and do the Christmas Nativity. 

We worked on our part of the assignment with (I'm ashamed to say) a lot of angst.  This time of year is so busy anyway, so to be asked to take on such a large responsibility seemed like a burden.  I know I wasn't alone in feeling a little frustrated and "put upon."

Today, like expected, we had a minimum of 95 children show up between both congregations.  There was quite a bit of hari kari: we lost children, had a hard time keeping their attention, it was chaotic as you would imagine.  We could only prepare so much for that many children in such a small space... as Primary leaders we were ready to be "done" when the hour and a half was over. 

After the activities our children hopped on the hayrides and I hopped in my car (it was raining - I have my limits) and went over to the other church.  As we were helping unload and organize children in that teeny uneven building all I could think was, we're almost done!  I was bossing kids around, getting after a few just trying to keep them in one place for the music and then slowly, the atmosphere changed. 

A few of the Baptist folks began playing the piano, drums, and singing a catchy gospel song.  Our primary children started clapping and enjoying the music.  Everyone in the room started to quiet down, sit still and listen to the music.  I mean, it was totally different music than we're used to in sacrament meeting - but the spirit entered the room with all of us enjoying music together. 

The Nativity started.  Our children made a rainbow of colors representing Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men.  They sang their musical numbers and their voices were strong and beautiful.  In that tiny building filled with at least a hundred plus people it was quiet, and everyone sang the Christmas hymns together.  While we sang, our youth decorated their Christmas tree and placed donated gifts under it.

Finally, the Pastor and our Bishop got up and spoke a few words.  Our Bishop reminded us that it wasn't the nails that kept Christ up on the cross, it was all of us and his love for us.  Their Pastor got up and spoke: "today we had a rehersal for what Heaven is really like.  It doesn't matter what color you are, it doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, it just matters that you are children of God." Amen.

(He also said that he already decided he was going to Heaven, he was just trying to get as many people as he could to come along with him. I loved that - me too then...)

DeeDee herself was raised as a Baptist.  She closed by saying that there was one hymn that she knew both churches sang, and she wanted us to sing it for the closing song: "How Great Thou Art." The feelings of love we all felt seemed to make the entire place glow.  I don't think there were many dry eyes in the room.  The spirit filled that little run down building and it was warm and strong.  It really felt like we were part of a piece of Heaven. 

So, a few thoughts.  First, I remember just like going on a mission: the bigger and greater the spiritual ourpouring, the bigger and greater the adversary will work against you.  So I should've know how awesome the day would end with all the adversity that came with it. 

Also, THIS day, and maybe for the first time in my "grown up" life, we celebrated the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.  Giving, Sharing and Remembering Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters.

Merry Christmas Everyone.... and "Come Let Us Adore Him."

AND.... One Month Later...Happy Thanksgiving!!

Exhibit A:

Is the reason I am eating only grilled chicken and salad for the next few weeks.

But ohhhh was it good.  This ended up in the oven, covered with marshmellows.  Why no "after" picture?  Well, because we were all taking little tastes out of the top of it as soon as it came out of the oven.

And here:  Exhibit B

MMMMM.... More butter.  I told mom she was out of practice because she only bought two pounds and we were out by the end of dinner.  We barely had enough....

And finally,

Exhibit C:

Exhibit C is the reason why we love living in Arizona!!!  70 and sunny two days after Thanksgiving.   Beautiful day and fun holiday!!  Makes all of those 115 degree days worth it...  I promise, it's a dry heat  :) 

I love being with family and friends.  Can't wait for Christmas!





Happy Halloween!!

What a fun night!  Homemade root beer, cheesy soup, family and friends. 

Poor Bella was so terrified of Matthew's costume which looked kind of like a Star Wars "sand person" (don't know how else to describe it....) But seriously trick or treated for two hours because she wanted to see the "Purple Zombie House."  Whatever that is.  Bless Michael's heart, he went out trick or treating with her over and over again, trying to help her find it...  Oh well, maybe we'll come across a "Purple Zombie House" next year.

This picture is soooo bad. But I didn't know how poorly it turned out until several days after Halloween so this is what we're ending up with for posterity.  Better than nothing, right?

Nightly Routine

I had an epiphany today.

Every night, while I'm doing my "nightly routine" (face wash, teeth brush, make up removal), I have this little girl glued to my side.

She pulls up her potty chair and uses it for a step stool.
NOTE:  This is the only thing her potty chair is currently used for.  Someday I'm hoping it is used for "good" and not "evil"... I digress.
She grabs whatever bottles I am using: face toner, empty lotion bottles, contact solution and she puts these items on her face just like me.  Then, she puts on my bright red lipstick that rarely sees the light of day.  (Or the dark of "date nights" for that matter.)

Most nights I call for someone, anyone to rescue me.  I mean after all when I've had the little chicka shadow me all day I figure that I should at least be able to put on my jammies and have a little "me" time in peace.  Nothing fancy here, just a few minutes.

But tonight I was pondered the situation.  I'm so thankful I've done this blog to chronicle her "growing up."  I realized that she is already growing out of  making big messes.  When she does make them, she says "sorry Mommy" and cleans them up.  I know I wanted her to grow out of that phase, but wow that was quick. 

SO, I decided that I wouldn't be in any rush for her to get past this one.  I'm going to happily accept and enjoy this addition to my nightly routine.  Maybe I'll even buy her some of her own bottles of lotions and potions to use.

What a great way to end every day... with a little red lipstick.

Our Heavenly Father's Plan

Over the summer we had the chance to visit the Church Welfare Square.  It was such a wonderful experience.  My testimony of people of the earth being in a large family was strengthened.

A few conferences ago, an apostle explained how the Welfare system of the church is here on the earth to be a blessing to Heavenly Father's children. During our visit we were able to see firsthand how it works. 

There was a Japanese family touring with us, mom and dad and daughter and they asked the sister missionary if humanitarian kits were delivered to Japan after the most recent earthquake and tsunami.  Our missionary assured them they were, only the instant potatoes were replaced with rice because the potatoes aren't eaten in Japan.

Heavenly Father loves his children so much He even cares about making sure you get rice instead of potatoes if it's important.

That was moving, but one of the most touching things I saw, was picture of children drinking a special drink created to help with the famine in Africa during the 90's.  Scientists at BYU came up with a nutritious drink for starving people to be able to get used to nutrients again, and to eat solid food after nearly dying of starvation. What a wonderful gift that God was able to give His children through the folks at BYU.  HE really does help us all.

Yesterday in testimony meeting, a sister in our ward got up and bore her testimony about the gospel and how we are all truly family.  Our ward members were going on a big camping trip in Colorado and had a suburban pulling a flatbed trailer filled with camping gear.

The car broke down in Albuquerque.  She and four of her children were stranded on the side of the Albuquerque freeway in the rain while her husband and oldest child went for help in the tow truck.  Not one person stopped. 

It started to rain, so she pitched a tent from her camping gear and got on the phone with information to reach the local church leaders.  An hour later, a local bishopbric member had her trailer hooked up to a borrowed suburban and had the children safely in the car.  These church members watched kids all afternoon while Peterson's went to find a car at a dealership owned by a local ward member.  This family fed them and let the Peterson's stay the night at their house.  They went from stranded to back on their way in 24 hours. 

Her point is, we are all family in the gospel.  Where does that kind of thing happen anymore?  In Heavenly Father's church, as part of His family.  I'm so thankful to be a part of this church and all the blessings that come from it and I am thankful that we are able to be a part of blessing all people in the world!

Blog A Thon - Someday

Is what I should be doing right now.
This very minute.

But instead, I'm going to make a Booster Club Flyer, work on next week's sharing time and catch up my calendar so I don't miss something important like I did twice yesterday.  Mom's should just NEVER get sick... just sayin.  No matter how awesome and wonderful your spouse is, (and mine is super awesome and wonderful), there are just some things that only you keep track of....

Like open houses, dance class, curriculum night (that's this Thursday honey), Activity Days, Sonic Night fundraiser, grandparents day, Scouts, orchestra practice....  Oh, I could go on, but you can see where this is going.

To his credit, anything to do with sports he is on top of. 

But being the CEO of Samuel Family Inc. is a very big, full time seven days a week job and "The Mother" has to be checked in for things to run smoothly and not be forgotten.  (Derek is CFO...  it's a thankless job but someone has to do it.)  BUT I love that our children are all striving to learn their talents and want to learn - everything.

So hopefully my kids will see the above list and know that just because I haven't journaled anything about our family for the past month, they have been VERY busy.  And hopefully before I forget all the fun things I want to share with my loved ones, I'll get a chance to do my "Blog A Thon."

Kids and Work - My soapbox

Sharon (my sister) and I had an interesting conversation last week about teens and working.  While we were on the phone I got a call from my husband saying that Tyler was being asked to work at a local farm on Saturday.  HAPPY DAY!

This brought on an interesting conversation.  Somewhere in the back of both of our minds, it seemed ridiculous that my fifteen year old son and her boyfriend's sixteen year old daughter didn't work all summer.

While we were being raised, my sister and I both somehow if not through words or osmosis, maybe by example we were taught that at a certain age, you were old enough to go out and make some money and contribute to your family.  I mean,  I didn't have to turn my paycheck over to my parents.  In fact, the only thing they did do was occasionally give me a ride to work and help me open my first bank account.  Other than that, they had nothing to do with my money.  I had complete control over where it went and how it was spent.

What a great feeling that was!  There were eight children in my family!   My parents always made sure our needs were met, and the things we had were nice - I never felt deprived...  BUT if I wanted to get designer shoes, jeans or "Units" to wear.  (If you don't know what a "Unit" is, don't bother asking.  I still can't believe those were considered clothing items... that is it's own blog entry.) I had to pay for those things myself.

So, fast forward to my teenager. He's been fifteen for eight months and he FINALLY landed this Saturday job.    (Okay, so we found this job and didn't give him an option - I think sometimes you have to do that kind of thing, just so they can get over the fear and uncertainty of not knowing what to expect.)  He brought forty dollars cash home after four hours of bailing hay in the Arizona summer heat.  Forty dollars.  Ten dollars an hour.  Not too shabby for a "little boy." 

I asked him how it was to have all that cash on hand.  He's was pretty whiny about the whole thing for a day or so but came home from the first day of school yesterday excited about the prospect of having some of his own cash.  He bought himself some sugar cookies and gum. 

That kind of thing is empowering!

So my message about teenagers is... it is so important that they learn to work.  This is not a job friendly economy.  I'm not sure it's going to be SOOO much better when Tyler gets home from his mission in six years.  I mean, I hope it is but our economy's long term outlook isn't pretty.  These kids are going to need some skills, even if those skills only include waking up and making their bodies move to accomplish a task in a timely manner. 

Teach work and respect of money.  Don't get caught up in "letting them be kids."  There is still PLENTY of time in a teens life for downtime.  Tyler's does seminary, school, football practice, chores and still has time to come home and play basketball for an hour or so in the evening.  In this day and age, I'd say that is a perfect amount of downtime!

Alright, off my soapbox and off to do carpool....  It was great to talk to you Sharon, you are my "people."