Wherever Grandma Is

Happy times! My whole family is here right now and we're having a great time together. This morning is "Christmas" here as we're opening presents together. Yesterday, we had our family pictures taken. We had to take four cars to our picture destination. Later, Jared and Kristen shared their conversation in their car as they traveled. They played a game where everyone named favorites and least favorites in different categories. One category was their least favorite and favorite"place". Four-year-old Nathan said Judea was his least favorite place. "Judea? Why?" Because there are so many mean and bad people there that hurt Jesus." Where is your favorite place? "St. George or wherever Grandma is!" Ahhhhh! Melt my heart! Merry Christmas!

Christmas- Keynote Style

Our Keynotes had our concert in the tabernacle last Friday evening. We had a big crowd and it went well. I think it's one of the best concerts we've done. It would appear to the outsider that this concert is the purpose of our group. The concert is the culminating event each season. It's what we work for and prepare for. But I've come to understand in a quietly profound way the real purpose of our group. It was made very clear to me this season. I spend many, many hours choosing music, writing script, setting up rest home/ assisted living performances, preparing weekly rehearsals, taking care of many details. We sang at a lot of places this year. As I drove to the first one- a particularly sad, old rest home- I thought, "Why do I do this?" My self talk was, I'm ashamed to say, very negative. "I don't have time for this. I'm tired. I have SO much to do . . ." As soon as I walked in there and saw those people with droopy heads and saggy mouths and wheelchairs and blank stares and silent pleading for love, the Lord blessed me with an overwhelming sense of what I was really doing- I was celebrating His birth in the way He would want me to celebrate it. I was making time for what is REALLY important. I could tell others in the group were feeling the same thing as there were tears and cracky, emotional voices. Then, I experienced what I believe was a miracle. We rehearse a lot. We work hard as a group and individually to have all our music memorized and to sound good. But NEVER do we sound better than when we're singing for these people. Something happens. Our voices are made more clear and strong; our blend is perfect. We sound really, really good. I personally can feel my voice strengthened. There is a literal and perceptible change. I came to understand this year that this is a gift from God. That is Him telling us how important these people are to Him. He blesses them with the very best that is within us. He tells us this over and over and over in the scriptures- how important the poor and sick and infirm and down trodden are to Him. I thank Him for this deepened understanding of that through our little service.

I also want to tell you how incredible each of those ladies are that you see in that picture. I love each of them so much. Each contributes to our group in a unique way, making us who and what we are. I marvel at their goodness and choose them as heroes and role models in my life. I feel so blessed to share these (what I've come to understand are) sacred experiences with them. We have a lot of fun, too- a great bonus! Keynotes is a very important part of my life. So, Merry Christmas- Keynotes style!

This is our visual aid this year. We sang songs with these "Christmas only" words, then ended our concert with a song that has all of these words in it.

"Official" Cruise Pictures

Patty sent some pictures from the cruise that I wanted to share:

First Formal Night

2nd Formal Night:

Sister Shopping Day on St. Thomas:

Jon (Allison's husband) did a bonus picture for us as well (I personally wish he'd spent his editing time making me skinny. Though I do really like Hal's beard. That's good.)

What Did the Prophet Ask Us to Do?

After each general conference, I scour through the prophet's talks and make a list of those things our prophet has asked us to DO. I then share this list with those I visit teach and post it on our fridge to remind us. (To see past lists, click here) This time, the list is very short. But as I analyze it, most of the things that are most important in life are on the list. I am grateful for a prophet of God.

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

October General Conference, 2011

Saturday Morning As We Meet Again

Any who might wish to do so, can contribute to the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund. (This fund assists those who need it to attend the temple the first time)

Priesthood Session Dare to Stand Alone

Read the Book of Mormon; Ponder it’s teachings. Ask Heavenly Father if it is true.

Honor the priesthood; Be true to the trust which was conveyed when it was conferred.

Know what you believe.

Be courageous and prepared to stand for what you believe. If you must stand alone, do so courageously.

Sunday Morning Session Stand in Holy Places

Reject anything that does not conform to our standards.

Develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Communicate with Heavenly Father.

Sunday Afternoon Session Until We Meet Again

Show increased kindness one toward another.

May we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.

Constantly nourish your testimony.