Brandon and Jennifer: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

We're at Grandma MaryAnn's Christmas Eve party. There is a lot of family here. We eat dinner, play Bingo and she gives everyone gifts. I don't know how she does it. Grandma is amazing.

Kalyssa, Abbee & Baylee open their gifts from Grandma.

Paisley & Emmy got cute breakfast sets. Will got a cute Happy Nappers pillow. It's a reversible cow/barn.

My Dad & Paula mailed a Christmas package to all our kids from Arizona. They wanted them to open their gifts on Christmas Eve. They got fun pajamas.

I took a picture of Paisley & Emmy wearing their pajamas from Grandpa Mark & Grandma Paula. The twins are snug in their cribs waiting for Santa to come.

Christmas Eve at our house before Santa came. It's so nice to have a fire and relax after a fun evening with family. :)

Dec 24, 2011

My Favorite Ensign Quotes

"I have found that implementing these five patterns-going to a private place to pray, kneeling, praying vocally, expressing gratitude, and praying for others-has helped me to pause and ponder on what I say in my prayers and has made the experience more meaningful. The Book of Mormon teaches other patterns of prayer as well, including being consistent and giving sufficient time to prayer and meditation. The Savior's prayers in the Book of Mormon include all of these five patterns."

-Patterns of Prayer in the Book of Mormon, October Ensign 2012

My thoughts: I want to make my own prayers more meaningful lately. As I read these patterns I could see what my prayers lacked. When I was pregnant it was very uncomfortable to kneel and pray, so I got in the habit of not kneeling. As President Thomas S. Monson stated, "Kneel to pray." I will follow his counsel and kneel to pray. I know praying vocally will help also.

"First on your "to do" list, put the word prayer. Most of the time, your prayers will be silent. You can think a prayer. You can always have a direct line of communication with your Father in Heaven. Do not allow the adversary to convince you that no one is listening on the other end. Your prayers are always heard. You are never alone!"

-How to Survive in Enemy Territory, October Ensign 2012

My thoughts: Half way through my day, I often realize that I haven't said a prayer yet. I'm so busy with kids and household chores that its hard to find quiet alone time to pause and kneel for a prayer. For some reason I've thought that that's what I must do for my prayers to be heard. I loved reading this quote by President Packer to set me straight! I can think a prayer and they will always be heard.