It's that Time of Year to Wish You a Merry CHRISTmas!

We've been enjoying the nativities that we've been able to collect over the years and the memories that go with them.  We have other Christmas decorations, too, but the nativity celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the reason for celebrating Christmas. 

The three-tiered cardboard set in the middle is the original nativity scene that I received in 1966 from my Primary class.  I remember, as a 10 year-old, reading from the Bible the story of Jesus's birth to my family as I set it up. 

The carved mahogany nativity on the far right is from Belize.  We were happy to be able to get it just before we came home from our mission.  We got the Wise Men from a thrift store in California.  In Duarte, we hung it on our wall.  Here in South Jordan, Scott made a stand for it.  

We received this dip and drape Wise Men set as a wedding gift.  We were married in December of 1977.  Dip and drape was the rage back in the 70's .  I'm glad they have survived all these years, as their heads are made out of hollowed-out eggs.    

This is the first year we have displayed this nativity.  I found it at a Deseret Industries in the middle of the year and was happy to find the perfect place to display it in our kitchen.  

Kristine gave us the coconut shell manger scene when she was attending BYU-Hawaii.  Lisa gave us the red set that she picked up as she traveled through Guatemala on a study abroad.  

The nativity sketched in glass that sits beyond the music stand was obtained from a thrift store in Logan, Utah, several years ago and is displayed on our piano year round.  

Lisa brought back this set from Argentina, where she served her mission.  

My sister-in-law, Kerri, hand crafted and painted this for us.  We started out with a few pieces and each year, for several years, she would send a new figurine to add to our set.  

We got this the year we moved to South Jordan to set up in our new home. 

Scott's mother gave us this set when she moved.  

When we lived in Duarte, I found this beautiful rendition of the nativity at a Senior Center community yard sale.  It fits perfectly in our entryway to our home.    

2021

Rachel gave this to me for my birthday this year.   

She got it at the Swiss Days Festival in Midway, Utah

We were excited when we got this new Nativity set.  We thought we were pretty clever when we bought a star ornament and hung it from the ceiling with a fishing string.    

The star on the top of our Christmas tree was the original star we made for our first Christmas tree 40+ years ago.  We cut out a cardboard star and covered with tin foil.  All  of our ornaments are ones with memories that we've gathered throughout the years.  

2022  

We are happy this year to add this figurine of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus to display in our living room.  I was able to purchase it from the thrift store a few months ago.  

2023

I cut this picture out of the 2022 December Liahona Magazine and framed it.  

It is now hanging in our living room. 

The painting is called:  Heaven’s Gift, by Dan Wilson, courtesy of Havenlight.  

You can see the painting by clicking here.  

This caption is under the painting in the magazine.  “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

I got this Joy sign... 

...and this, "O Come Let Us Adore Him" stand....

...from the after-Christmas clearance sales last year.  

Merry CHRISTmas!

We Have a Dozen......

...Grandchildren!  

#12 was born to Sam and Makelle this past week.  

What a wonderful way to end this crazy 2020 year. 

Welcome Hallie 💕

We Are Zooming By.....

Click onto the picture to get a closer look at our family members.  

You can see the other MagPad Christmas cards through the years by clicking here  

Reading of Luke 2 in Several Languages

On December 1, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aired an event to begin the 2020 Christmas season: "Celebrating the Light of the World: A Christmas on Temple Square Performance".  

The program was a virtual tour of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, along with many musical performances focusing on the Savior's birth. You can view the event on Youtube by clicking here.  

My favorite part was of the program was this reading of Luke 2 done by our Church leaders.  They spoke in Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish--with subtitles, of course! 

 

You can also see the video by clicking here. 

This is a testimony that God loves all His children around the world.   Enjoy!

The Christ Child: A Nativity Story

This video is a beautiful portrayal of the Nativity.  You can be sure that it will be a family tradition for us to watch this video every Christmas season.  The ComeUntoChrist.org YouTube page describes the video:

This new depiction of the Nativity story recounts in beautiful detail the sacred events found in the Bible about Jesus's birth over 2,000 years ago. Journey with Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Witness the awe of the shepherds in the plains of Judea. Feel the joy of the wise men as they kneel before the Light of the World – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

You can also view the video by clicking here.   

I learned a lot from "The Christ Child: Behind the Scenes" video shown below.  It is well worth the time to watch it.  The ComeUntoChrist.org YouTube page describes the "Behind the Scenes" video this way:  

Go behind the scenes of "The Christ Child." This 17-minute special explores the history, artistry, and scriptural insights that went into producing the stunning 2019 short film about the birth of Jesus Christ. 

You can also see the video by clicking here

By clicking here you will be able to see the scriptural references for the different scenes shown below.  

Merry CHRISTmas!

 

#GiveThanks

 A week ago today, President Nelson shared a message to the world.  This is what the church's Youtube channel said about his message: 

“Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”​

In his 96 years of life, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen almost everything—a Great Depression, a world war, and a global pandemic, to name a few. And he would like to propose one remedy that can help us find joy in hard times: gratitude. #GiveThanks ​

Practicing gratitude may not prevent us from experiencing sorrow, anger, or pain, but it can help us look forward with hope. We can give thanks for our loved ones, for our bodies and minds, for music and literature, for the beauty of the natural world.​

President Nelson suggests three ways you can #GiveThanks in your own life:​
1) Turn social media into your own gratitude journal.​
2) Say a prayer of gratitude.​
3) Build your relationship with Jesus Christ.​

By counting our blessings, we can more fully appreciate and enjoy our lives as we work toward greater unity, kindness, honesty, and tolerance.​

____________________

By following his counsel this past week, my life was blessed.  Here are my social media gratitude journal posts for the past 7 days:

Day 1 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I am grateful for Scott and his eternal love for me.  #GiveThanks  #HeTreatsMeLikeAQueen

Day #2 of the #GiveThanks challenge”: 

I am thankful for my children. They each hold a special place in my heart. 

Day 3 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

On this sabbath day, I am thankful for the message about the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the song, “The Miracle” by Shawna Belt Edwards.  

The Miracle

By Shawna Belt Edwards

Jesus walked upon the water

He stilled the storm and calmed the angry sea

With His hands He healed the leper

He made the lame to walk, the blind to see

He fed a thousand people with a loaf or two of bread

And when the ruler's daughter died

He raised her from the dead

Jesus is a God of miracles

Nothing is at all impossible to Him

But I know this

Of all His miracles, the most incredible must be

The miracle that rescues me

Jesus bled and died to save me

A price that I could never pay alone

When He rose again, He gave me

The greatest gift the world has ever known

Yes, I can be forgiven every time that I repent

And someday He will lift me up to live with Him again

Jesus is a God of miracles

Nothing is at all impossible to Him

But I know this:

Of all His miracles the most incredible must be

The miracle that rescues me

The miracle that rescues you and me

Day 4 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I’m thankful for the opportunity that Scott and I had to serve a mission to Belize. These two photos hang in our home and they are a daily reminder of our choice experiences we had while we were there. You can read about our mission experiences by clicking here or onto:  ourmissiontobelize.blogspot.com    

Day 5 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I’m thankful for all the members on my family tree.  They have all personally touched my life from my grandparents down to my grandchildren. I have the best family ever!! 

Family tree photo credit goes to Shabby Chic

Day 6 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I would be remiss if I didn’t give thanks to the medical community for all they have done for our family this past year. Heaven only knows all the blessings our family has received from caring doctors, nurses, delivery rooms, surgical rooms, NICUs, medical personnel, clinical trials, and urgent care. I will start with #GivingThanks to my daughter, Rachel, as she works at Huntsman Cancer Center here in Salt City.

Day 7 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” I am thankful that there is a prophet on the earth today. As I follow his counsel, I am blessed beyond measure. I invite you to take a few minutes to listen to his message given a week ago.  As you do and heed his advice, you too will be blessed. 💕  

Veteran's Day Tribute 2020

In honor of Veteran's Day, I would  like to share my favorite photos of the veterans who have served from our family.  

Bryce Jeppson: Marines

George Magnusson:  Navy

Kiefer Harris:  Air Force

David Wood:  Army

This is a video produced by Daily Wire with a narration from President Ronald Reagan titled:  Today We Honor Our Veterans.   The Daily Wire honors all those who have served our nation: "There would be no America without our veterans.  To every Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Coast Guardsman, and Guardian: THANK YOU!"

These are the inspired words of President Ronald Reagan's from the speech starting at 0:35 in the above video:

We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I.  The Armistice that began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  The timing of this holiday is quite deliberate in terms of historical fact, but somehow it always seems quite fitting to to me that this day comes deep in autumn when the colors are muted and the days seem to invite contemplation.  

It is in a way an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country in wars far away.  The imagination plays a trick.  We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise, but most of them were boys when they died and they gave up two lives—the one they were living, and the one they would have lived.  When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands, and fathers, and grandfathers.  They gave up their chance to be revered old men.  They gave up everything for our country—for us. All we can do is remember.  I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.  

In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength.  Let us make a vow to our dead.  Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for—strengthened by their courage, heartened by their value and born for their memory.  Let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.   

It Is Well with My Soul

On Oct 14, 2018, I wrote this on our mission blog:

A highlight of watching General Conference last week was listening to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul".  We had never heard the hymn before.   As we sat listening to it in the Belize City chapel, it was obvious that it is a beloved hymn of the Belizean saints as several in the congregation sang like angels along with the choir.  We have listened to the hymn several times this past week and, truly, "it is well, it is well, with my soul."   

Enjoy watching the ASL version of this song that was preformed in the April 2022 General Conference.

(Be sure to click the enlarge button in the bottom right hand corner as you watch it)

It Is Well with My Soul

Text:  Horatio Spafford/Music:  Philip Bliss   

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well

With my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

And Lord, haste the day when thy faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

This afternoon a friend posted the song on her facebook page along with the background on why the song was written.  It brought back a tender memory as I saw her Facebook post.  As I was researching more about this song today, I found this video explaining the background as it is explained by Lloyd  Newell on the program, Music and the Spoken Word.  

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's YouTube page explains the background to the song:

Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties, can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? 

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. 

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” 

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. 

As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn: 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll—

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Episode 4580. Aired June 25, 2017.

Our Visit to Mt. Rushmore

This past week, Scott and I took a road trip to South Dakota to see the Mt. Rushmore monument. It was a memorable trip to a historical site and an experience we'll always treasure.

On the first day of our journey through Wyoming, we stopped at Independence Rock, a landmark for the pioneers traveling west on the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails. Many of these emigrants carved their names on the huge granite rock in the foreground and to the left behind the marker. 

Mt. Rushmore features the faces of four presidents of the United States who were prominent in the founding and preservation of our nation: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

The monument was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum. The project officially started in 1927 and ended in 1941, just prior to our entering World War II.  Projected to cost about $500,000, the final cost was just under $1 million.     

Scott made sure he packed his binoculars to see the details of the sculpture.

We enjoyed visiting the museum and learning the details of how Mt. Rushmore came to be.   

Of all the things we learned in the museum, I was most surprised to learn that Gutzon Borglum was born in Idaho, the son of "Mormon" Danish immigrants. 

Sadly, Gutzon passed away shortly before completion of the project from complications from surgery, at age 74. It was left to his son, Lincoln, to finish the Mt. Rushmore memorial.   

Because we were visiting Mt. Rushmore during the off-season, many restaurants, shops, and stores were closed in the small town of Keystone, where we stayed.  We were happy that there was one restaurant open.  We'll give Boss' Pizza & Chicken a 5-star review! 

After lunch, we toured the town of Keystone (it's one street long!) and we returned that night to enjoy the lighted view of the monument. 

Miraculously, of the hundreds of laborers who blasted and carved away the mountain into what has become a national treasure, no one lost their life or was seriously injured during the project. 

We stayed two nights at the Roosevelt Inn (right).  It wasn't until our second day that we noticed right next door the Magnuson Grand!  (We wondered if they would have let us stay there free?-- probably not, since we spell our name with two "s")

We experienced a tender mercy on this trip. This was the view of the mountain the day we arrived and the day we left Mt. Rushmore-- completely obscured by fog and clouds.  

This clear photo was taken of the monument in the same spot as the above photo.  It was a blessing to be at Mt. Rushmore on the day that we were....not a day earlier nor a day later!  

On the journey home, we stayed a night in Casper, Wyoming, and visited an air and war museum, located near the airport. 

This photo is of a Russian MiG fighter.

As we drove home through Wyoming, we couldn't believe how wide open the state is.  We've always heard that it is one of the least populated states, and we saw for ourselves that this is indeed true.  

"Don't say 'I can't' on this work. 

The 'I can'ts' are unknown in the world's work and unremembered in history." 

--Sculptor Gutzon Borglum

Paper Plate Skeleton

I remember making many paper plate skeletons back in the day when my kids were little.  I don't remember what magazine I got this pattern from, but I'm glad that I kept a copy of the pattern in my files.  

Onto generation 2 as I make some skeletons this Halloween season with my grandkids.  

Christlike Attributes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted this wonderful video that shows the attributes of Christ that are depicted in scenes from His life.  Jesus Christ was:

Humble

Obedient

A healer

Kind

A teacher

Courageous

A servent

Submissive

Selfless

and

Full of love

You can also see the video by clicking here

This video reminds me of the Primary hymn by Janice Kapp Perry, "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus".  

I’m trying to be like Jesus;

I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

[Chorus]

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,

For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor;

I’m learning to serve my friends.

I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.

I try to remember the lessons he taught.

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:  

[Chorus]

May we all try to be like Jesus by showing Christlike attributes....

Happy Halloween!

During the craziness of 2020 it's alway refreshing to find something to make us smile.  Two years ago JK! Studios produced this most entertaining Halloween video.

This is what JK! Studios said about this video:

With Halloween almost among us the trick or treat struggle is REAL! We’re soo focused on candy, and scary costumes we never even stop to think about the heroes who give it out. This one is for them!

Credits:

Cast: Jason Gray

Director: Jeremy Warner

Writer: Jason Gray

FamilySearch and My Grandfather

On September 8, 2020 I read this on my FamilySearch message page:

2 August 2020

Hi,

In cleaning out my grandmother and great grandmother's things, I have an original photo of Marion L. Harris that I'd love to share with a family member. If you know the best address or contact of Marion's descendant, I'm happy to put it in the mail.

Thanks…

As it turns out, the person that reached out on FamilySearch isn’t a relative, but had in her possession a picture of my grandfather.  Through her research she was able to reach out on FamilySearch.org asking for anyone who is his descendant to reply to her message.  

Here is the photo I received in the mail after I replied to her message. My parents and my siblings had never seen it before.  I am so grateful for the effort this person went to so I can have this original 1917 photograph of my grandfather, Marion L. Harris.  

What is FamilySearch.org, you ask?   You can find out for yourself by clicking here.  Anyone can sign up for this free service.  

This is a screen shot from a page on FamilySearch.org which shows some of the activities you can do.  I got to this page by clicking here.  

 

Find out for yourself how easy it is to track your family tree.  

Welcome Ryan!

Saturday we had a wonderful day in Logan, Utah participating in the wedding of Ryan and Lisa.  They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.  Enjoy the pictures.