Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Christmas in the Cabin

This year for Christmas we decided to do something a little bit different... we rented a cabin in Alta, Wyoming. Just look at that view out our window! It was gorgeous... the cabin was a sweet, cute little cabin, with a kitchen nicer than what I have at home (which isn't all that hard. ;)

We ate delicious food, relaxed, put together a puzzle, went for walks, watched cheesy Christmas movies, and listened to Cooper be a big grump.

We had Dad and Mom Smith with us, and we loved spending time with them! It was so much fun to have them share Christmas morning with us. We got up bright and early, opened presents, got ready, and went to 9 am church. (We don't do many presents, so it doesn't take that long. ;) Church was wonderful! I was surprised by how packed it was.

The kids loved their presents (Aubrey got a netbook, ninja blender; Tyler got a gun, leatherman; Cooper got a kindle, harmonica; Brandon surprised me with an ipod nano.)

The puzzle... that we all worked on for an entire day. It was harder than it looks. ;)

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright too. :)

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche

6 comments:

Georgia said...: What a beautiful Christmas you had with your family! Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos of your amazing memories!; 9:39 AM
Rachel Holloway said...: You labeled this post incorrectly.
Should read...
Christmas in HEAVEN.

Looks like an incredible time. So thrilled you could do something out of the norm. IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL there, and I loved your pictures!!; 11:37 AM
Felicia H. said...: I would much rather do a fun family vacation on Christmas then get lots of presents. Why was Cooper grumpy?; 4:17 PM
Tari said...: LOL Cooper's picture says it all. Ok it says all he had to say. Looks like everyone else loved the time away. Glad you had such a wonderful Christmas.; 6:25 PM
Brenda said...: Could Cooper BE any more excited about that kindle? It looks like a beautiful place and very relaxing, too.; 3:06 PM
Marci said...: that is beautiful! that's one of our dreams for the future...going away to a cabin for christmas. great minds think alike.
love you girl...hope your new year is amazing! xo; 10:16 AM

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Christmas in the Cabin

6 comments: