Saturday, December 27, 2008

"Without Ribbons and Bows"

"At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began. It is for this baby that we shout in chorus: 'Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! . . . Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth' (LDS Hymns, no. 209)."

--Jeffrey R. Holland, "Without Ribbons and Bows", New Era, Dec. 1994, 6

Sunday, December 21, 2008

And it continues to FALL !!!!!

12-14 - Morning comes and the ground is covered with fresh fallen snow.
12-14 - As evening arrives the sky becomes alive with wonderful colors.
12-17 - Three days later and the snow is still falling.
12-17 - On top of my van, we measured 12 inches. The snow on the bench was about 9 inches deep.
12-18 - Ice Cycles out our backdoor.
12-18 - Ice Cycles out our backdoor.
12-18 - Ice Cycles out our backdoor.
12-18 - This was the sky just before we went to bed. the storm had stopped and was preparing itself for the next day.
12-18 - Ice Cycles that we broke off the eaves outside of Shiloh's Room.
12-19 - Early Morning snow levels and grown over night
12-19 - The trees were coated with a natural flock.
12-20 - As the sun came up the sparkling ground shone bright. It was only 7 degrees at 6 am. That is right - SEVEN!
12-20 - The trees were so full of snow it was a beautiful picture. I have never seen trees covered like these, except in pictures.
12-21 - Another 6 inches fell last night. this morning was warmer than yesterday. It was 27 degrees at 6 am.