(To see last week's blog post--scroll down to the end of this week, then
the Week of December 16-22, 2019 will be there.
If it's not, hit "Older Posts." at the bottom right.)
THIS WEEK-
DECEMBER 23-
DECEMBER 29, 2019
Walt is ready to be pushed
out into the kitchen for
breakfast.
We stayed home today
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
with Gary. I said: "This
is too stressful for a
Christmas Eve."
The Cougars "almost" won.
and whipped cream...
John to carve...
...day after Christmas.
...apple, pumpkin, and pecan.
Marci came to help Walt.
Jackson helped Grampa get
into his chair.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2019
Family is Everything…
Karen, R.N., came to see
how Walt is doing.
out into the kitchen for
breakfast.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Family is Everything…
Marci helped Walt get
ready for the day.
ready for the day.
Yes, I did. I dashed over to
Walmart for a few things.
We went to an early
Christmas Eve dinner
with Gary...
...to Denny's.
We stopped by to take
Steve and Natalie's family
a Brazillian white fruit cake.
Then we watched BYU
in the Hawaiian Football Bowlwith Gary. I said: "This
is too stressful for a
Christmas Eve."
The Cougars "almost" won.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019
Family is Everything...
"A humble Mary wrapped her child in a swaddling cloth and laid Him in a manger.
The King, the Teacher, the Savior was born.
With the angles that rejoiced His coming, I testify of the birth of the Christ Child.
He gave of his time healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and spreading love. He gave all of His strength as He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane in the hope that each of us will turn to Him and not suffer for ourselves. (D&C 19:16) He gave His life on the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose again three days later in order for each of us to be able to do the same. (John 11:25-26)
I testify that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real and available to all who are suffering pains, afflictions and infirmities of every kind (Alma 7:11-12) and can be accessed through the power of prayer.
He knows us personally and loves us eternally.
As this Christmas season settles in, it is easy to become wrapped up in what needs to be bought instead of what can be given. As we follow the example of our Savior we will find true happiness throughout the year and our lives..."
...with shepherds
Shepherds came to worship Him...
...the wise men came
The Wise Men brought
gifts to the Christ Child...
The Wise Men brought
gifts to the Christ Child...
Wise men, wise women,
wise teenagers, and wise children
still follow HIM...
He is the SAVIOR of the world!
He will come again in Glory
to rule and reign forever.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
...and because the Wise Men brought gifts
to The Christ Child...
We, too, give gifts to each other,
and the symbol of giving gifts is
a fun part of childhood and adulthood...
S a n t a C l a u s
...this is the image
I remember from my childhood...
I remember from my childhood...
Here Comes Santa Claus
leaving the North Pole...
Now I am quoting parts of
"The Night Before Christmas"
written by
Clement Clark Moore
in 1823.
" 'Twas the night before
Christmas when all
through the house
Not a creature was
stirring, not even a mouse...
"More rapid than eagles his
coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted
and called them by name:
On...
...Santa Claus is Comin' to Town...
Saratoga Springs, Utah
"...the stockings were hung
by the chimney with care
in hopes that Saint Nicholas
soon would be there..."
"...So up to the housetop the
reindeer they flew
With a sleigh full of toys
and Saint Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling
I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing
of each little hoof."
"...As I drew in my head and was
turning around, Down the
chimney Saint Nicholas
came with a bound..."
A bundle of toys he had flung
on his back, And he looked
like a peddler just
opening his pack...
He spoke not a word but
went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings,
then turned with a jerk.
"...laying a finger aside
of his nose, And giving
a nod, up the chimney
he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh,
to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew
like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim ere
he drove out of sight...
'Happy Christmas to all
and to all a
goodnight.' "
...and here is our home after
Santa came:
...and here we are on
Christmas morning with Riggy.
Jackson was very surprised
by a wonderful new trombone.
It will be remembered as
the Christmas of the trombone...
the Christmas of the trombone...
Yummy Christmas breakfast of
waffles topped with strawberriesand whipped cream...
Beautiful Winterberry Christmas
dishes add to the beauty...
dishes add to the beauty...
A magical time...
After Christmas day naps,
the turkey is ready for John to carve...
John's Dad and Mom, sister Nicole,
and cousins Jasmine and Jada,
along with Gary and us
and cousins Jasmine and Jada,
along with Gary and us
...are thankful for all
those who prepared
those who prepared
...a delicious
...Christmas dinner!
Gary and Grampa agree...
...that pumpkin pie should have
a lot of whipped cream on it.
We always enjoy being with
John's family!
Later Geni, her daughter Tayler
and [soon-to-be-son-in-law]
Aleva Hifo, BYU football
player #15, joined us.
(Julie, did you get any photos
of them on Christmas evening?)
Here's what Geni posted six
days later--Dec. 31...
Congratulations to
Tayler Tausinga and
Aleva Hifo.
We do love being with John's
family...Brent and Vicki and
any of their 9 children and
fun grandchildren.
John's family!
Later Geni, her daughter Tayler
and [soon-to-be-son-in-law]
Aleva Hifo, BYU football
player #15, joined us.
(Julie, did you get any photos
of them on Christmas evening?)
Here's what Geni posted six
days later--Dec. 31...
Tayler Tausinga and
Aleva Hifo.
family...Brent and Vicki and
any of their 9 children and
fun grandchildren.
Thank you, Julie and John
and everyone.
It was a very Merry Christmas day!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019
Family is Everything...
It's traditional to have pie for
breakfast...
We had a slow-paced day
recuperating.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019
Family is Everything...
Janie and Shawn and family
drove from Rexburg to be
with us...
What a view...
That is the actual Salt Lake Temple
out the window...
We had lunch at
The Garden Restaurant on
the top floor of the
Joseph Smith Building.
Gary took a photo, then Daniel
took a photo with Gary in it.
Gary, thanks for driving us
into Salt Lake for this
fun rendezvous.
We got to stand by the
Joseph Smith statue
in the lobby...
...with Heidi and Pono
Fishers
Then they went to see the
Lights at Temple Square.
When they got to Saratoga Springs,
we played games and just
hung out together.
Love just being together.
Katie and kids...
We just talked...
Of course, Julie had some
inquistion...
A fun circle of conversation
going on...
"Uncle" Michael is so good
with Taitum and Diesel.
We talked for a couple
of hours or more...
Katie, Parker, Taitum and Diesel
headed home at 10:30...
Great evening with the
Fishers, Andersons,
Petersons, and Petersens.
Fishers brought breakfast
over Saturday morning...
Of course, Julie had some
inquistion...
going on...
with Taitum and Diesel.
We talked for a couple
of hours or more...
headed home at 10:30...
Fishers, Andersons,
Petersons, and Petersens.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2019
Family is Everything...
over Saturday morning...
Fishers helped us
sort family photos...
All too soon it was time
for the Fishers to head
back to I D A H O . . .
Fishers, thanks for three
carloads of you driving the
four hours down
from Rexburg...
Saturday afternoon . . .
Gary came over this afternoon
and we watched the College
Football playoffs to see who
will be the NCAA Champion
for 2019.
The 2:00 game was
LSU vs Oklahoma Sooners. The
Louisiana Tigers won. The
Heisman Trophy winner is
their quarterback: Joe Burrow.
He is phenomenal -- no wonder
they won!
6:00 game was Clemson vs
Ohio State. The Clemson Tigers won.
The championship game between
LSU Tigers and Clemson Tigers
will be Jan. 13. [LSU won 42-25...
to become the National Champions.
Season 15-0 wins]
Gary, thanks for watching the games
with us and bringing lunch and
getting pizza for supper.
SUNDAY, DECEMER 29, 2019
carloads of you driving the
four hours down
from Rexburg...
Saturday afternoon . . .
Gary came over this afternoon
and we watched the College
Football playoffs to see who
will be the NCAA Champion
for 2019.
The 2:00 game was
LSU vs Oklahoma Sooners. The
Louisiana Tigers won. The
Heisman Trophy winner is
their quarterback: Joe Burrow.
He is phenomenal -- no wonder
they won!
6:00 game was Clemson vs
Ohio State. The Clemson Tigers won.
The championship game between
LSU Tigers and Clemson Tigers
will be Jan. 13. [LSU won 42-25...
to become the National Champions.
Season 15-0 wins]
with us and bringing lunch and
getting pizza for supper.
SUNDAY, DECEMER 29, 2019
Family is Everything...
We stayed home, but John and Jackson
blessed and passed the Sacrament to us
when they got home. They had permission
from the Bishop, of course.
into his chair.
We had another delicious
roast beef Sunday dinner
cooked by John.
We had a fun surprise from our
returned missionary,
Hermana Angeles Cortes Salamon,
her husband, and two darling daughters.
(John took the photo and will
e-mail it to us.)
*** *** ***
We are so thankful for The Plan of Salvation
and the Atonement of Jesus Christ
that makes this Great Plan operational.
At the end of this December 29th,
we pray you have had a
restful , peaceful, and spiritual
Sabbath Day...
We share these truths as our testimony to you...from
President Russell M. Nelson,
our Living Prophet:
"The life of Jesus Christ neither began in Bethlehem nor ended on Calvary’s cross. He was a God before He ever came to this earth. He was the Jehovah of the Old Testament and became the Christ of the New. He atoned for the sins and sorrows of all mankind in Gethsemane and completed His ultimate sacrifice on a cross at Calvary. He rose again the third day in glorious resurrection. The ending of His mortal life was the beginning of eternal hope and happiness for each of us. He lives! And He loves us more than we can comprehend. Jesus the Christ stands ready to help, heal, and strengthen each of us in His divinely commissioned way.
At this Christmas season our thoughts turn to this babe born in Bethlehem. I urge you to seek this Jesus. He truly is the Prince of Peace. I invite you to draw closer to Him and experience the joy that envelops all who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. As one of His Apostles, I bless you with the ability to receive and feel the infinite love that our Savior and our Heavenly Father have for you.
May you have a Christmas filled with peace, love, and joy."
At this Christmas season our thoughts turn to this babe born in Bethlehem. I urge you to seek this Jesus. He truly is the Prince of Peace. I invite you to draw closer to Him and experience the joy that envelops all who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. As one of His Apostles, I bless you with the ability to receive and feel the infinite love that our Savior and our Heavenly Father have for you.
May you have a Christmas filled with peace, love, and joy."
We honor and sustain President Nelson as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator...for the whole world.
Walt and Eileen Petersen
Saratoga Springs, Utah, U.S.A.
Decemer 29, 2019
**********
For next week - December 30-January 5, 2020
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019
Family is Everything…
For Happy Birthday to our grandson,
Joshua Petersen
Josh is on the left...
Josh is a senior at the
University of Utah
For
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
Family is Everything…
No Institute until January
when we will continue
Here New Year's Eve
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020
Family is Everything...
We
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020
Family is Everything...
We
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020
Family is Everything...
We
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020
Family is Everything...
We
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020
Family is Everything...
We
*** *** ***
We are so thankful for The Plan of Salvation
and the Atonement of Jesus Christ
that makes this Great Plan operational.
At the end of this January 5th,
we pray you have had a restful , peaceful, and spiritual Sabbath Day...
We share these truths as our testimony to you...
Heavenly Father lives and knows us each by name. He loves us and wants us to return to Him and Heavenly Mother when we leave this mortal existence. He loves us just as we are at this very moment.
*** *** ***
Jesus Christ came to earth as The Only Begotten of the Father and fulfilled the Atonement. He is the Redeemer of all.
*** *** ***
Joseph Smith was foreordained to be the Prophet of the Restoration. He is the Restorer of all things.
*** *** ***
President Russell M. Nelson is the Living Prophet today for all the world.
*** *** ***
The Bible is "the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly" and is a Testament of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
*** *** ***
The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is the most correct book of any book on earth.
*** *** ***
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the True Church on the earth today.
*** *** ***
Of these truths we testify in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Walt and Eileen Petersen
Saratoga Springs, Utah, U.S.A.
January 5, 2020
