Smoooosh

That is the sound of me trying to fit every last thing in before Christmas comes.
Friday night was our Ward Party. The Young Women were put in charge of decorations, which meant a skeleton crew since it was smack in the middle of finals, illnesses, a graduation and surgery, and work parties. I am so grateful to all the leaders and girls who managed to sneak in a few minutes to help out as we spent Wednesday night preparing the center pieces, Thursday night setting up and Friday night prepping last minute details.
Dustin had one request: No ham! We ended up with brisket and it was delicious. We ate, made packages for missionaries, collected donations for a shelter, Santa came, there was a gorgeous talent show. . . It was really wonderful especially when you consider how many people put in so much work during the busiest season of the year.
Luke was not in the best mood at the party and I was trying to get him to sit still for the presentation of Luke 2. He loved the animals, but when the Wisemen came on he was pretty bummed there were no animals. I told him a star would appear. If you've ever watched Luke 2, you know it's quite a bit of time watching the Wisemen plot and plan and watch the sky before one finally steps out. Luke kept asking, "Where's the star?" "Where's the star?" And I kept promising him it would come. Finally the star appeared and Luke jumped for joy, "The star!!" I felt like I was there at that exact moment and I almost started crying. The joy and elation of knowing that what was promised had finally come to pass. All the hope and waiting and finally to know that the Son of God had been born. The Savior of the World.

Saturday Dustin and I both had to get in long runs, then we met up with some friends to see A Christmas Carol and lunch.We ran some errands for Sunday and then met with our friends, the Amins, for dinner and temple lights. I think this year was more gorgeous that last year if possible.
The weather has been rainy and cold, but Saturday night the weather was gorgeous and clear.
All the while I am freaking out that it is the last weekend before Christmas. All the presents are bought and wrapped, cards sent and the packages are mailed, but I feel like we haven't gotten to be a family this Christmas. Dustin has been knee deep in callings, Tithing Settlement and out of town on business. When we do have a night together it's been a party or concert or something fun, but busy.

Ironically I taught Young Women's today about making time for the Savior based on Neal A. Maxwell's quote, "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!" My girlfriend shared this gorgeous song with me: Do You Have Room. It was such a great reminder to SLOW DOWN and focus on what really has meaning. One more quote from President Howard W. Hunter, "Even in our day, although two thousand years have passed, there are many who say the same thing that was said on that night in Bethlehem. ‘There is no room, no room.' We make room for the gifts, but sometimes no room is made for the giver. We have room for the commercialism of Christmas and even pleasure-seeking on the Sabbath day, but there are times when there is not room for worship. Our thoughts are filled with other things—there is no room."

Someone asked me if I was ready for Christmas. Yes. I am ready, because whether all the packages are bought and wrapped, whether I've delivered all my neighbor gifts and attended all my parties, Christmas will come. And really, being ready means that my heart is turned to the Savior. This week I will make room.