Christmas Testimony

Some things I have learned about Jesus...

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:5

This verse is testimony of someone who knew Jesus when He was on the Earth. The Word was made flesh, the Son of God who was also a God Himself, came to Earth in the form of a man to live among us. That is why choirs of angels sang. That is why a new star was shining so brightly. That is the significance of this time of year.

But why did He come?

And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.

Moses 7:26

Enoch saw this in vision. It makes my stomach turn. Because we have the gift of agency, we are able to work out our own salvation, but every one of us will also inevitably fall from time to time. This would place us in Satan's grasp, which would be a miserable place to be. But we are not lost, because...

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. But if any man sin and repent, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:1-2

These are truths I want to pass on to my little children as well. The Father sent His Son as a newborn baby to the Earth to live among us, to show us the way, and to perform important work that would allow Him to be our advocate with the Father.

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

1 John 2:24-25



I can think of no greater promise than to know that the things that matter most to me on this Earth can be mine to enjoy eternally. I am thankful to my Savior for that reality, and I share my testimony of these things in His name. Merry Christmas!!

Firsts worth blogging about

1. Gracie's first ride on the Front Runner

2. Gracie's first trip to Temple Square to see the lights

with Gracie's tias y abuelos
Cynthia & Nicole, Grandma & Grandpa

Yes, she is screaming in every picture, only because we got the camera out at the end of the trip when she was DONE rather than the beginning when she seemed to be absolutely captivated by the lights. Her fit didn't last, though. It wasn't long before she was out.



And the final first:

3. Gracie's first pony-tail. I just wanted to see if my five-month old had enough hair to do it. Cutie pie, she does.

Unexpected

A couple of weekends ago, I found myself standing in front of the Salsa club at Danilo's university. He'd been asked to come do a demonstration. I just remember thinking, wow, this is not something I would've expected to be doing say, ten years ago. Ten years ago I didn't know more than a lick of Spanish. Ten years ago my dance experience didn't extend past the Boot Scootin' Boogie. I guess I'm just thankful that I'm not the only author in my life, because I don't think I would've written Salsa dancing in on my own. The video below isn't super recent. It was taken on our honeymoon. Please take that into account when you notice the silly googly look on my face. I was pretty excited to be married to Danilo (nothing's changed, I've just toned down the googly look). The dancing's a little clumsy for that reason, too, but I think it gives you a pretty good taste of what we like to do. Please also know you don't have to watch all five minutes and twenty four seconds. I wasn't able to edit it down like I would've liked. I'll stop making disclaimers. Just enjoy!

Oh to be this cute in the morning...

Christmas Tree Found

A taste of this year's Christmas tree hunt...

Posing with the right one
After my handsome man carried it down the hill
And my very favorite, with uncle Andrew
Brightening our little house

First Ticket

I don't know if my first cavity at 17 or my first traffic ticket last week was more painful. I held out on both for a very long time. Tuesday morning, 7:26. Coming back from the gym. School zone lights are on. No kids out yet. I slow from 35 to 25. Is that a cop car parked on that side street? Shoot. I'm going slower than I was, but faster than 20. The car is dark. I don't think there's anyone in it. Or if there is, maybe the officer tolerates going 25 in a school zone when the kids aren't out yet, because surely they would be following me by now. Thank goodness. Wait. The car is pulling out. The car has its lights on. Maybe they got an important call and need to head this direction. Let me get out of the way. I pull over. Please don't pull up behind me. He pulls up behind me. No wait, she pulls up behind me and she's getting out of the car. As my window is coming down, I am thankful to have a little more life experience behind me than the first time I was pulled over at 16 and it made me cry.
"Apparently you didn't see the school zone back there."
"No, I did, and I know better."
"Why were you speeding?"
"I know better."
"You wanna knock out someone's kid?"
"No." Do I tell her I'm a school teacher? No, that will just give her more material.
"Can I see your license and insurance?"
I don't take my purse with me to the gym at 6:30. Well, I do now. No license. I hand over my insurance information. She goes back to her car. Ten minutes later I am handed my first traffic ticket and told to appear in justice court within 14 days. I try not to let words on the ticket like, "defendant," "without admitting guilt," and " IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR THE COURT MAY ISSUE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST" make me feel like a criminal.
"This will teach me," I tell the officer.
She actually smiles, I think having determined I'm not quite the punk she thought she was going to encounter, and says, "Have a safe day."
I would like to thank the hearing officer who made the experience of going to justice court bearable. When he said, "Ouch, school zone, huh?" and I told him I was a teacher, he asked where. When I told him I was at home now with my baby, he asked to see a picture and said the things moms like to hear about their babies. He then proceeded to give me my options. Paying $125 to attend traffic school was the best one. Yes, that'll teach me. The good news? I still get to be Grace's mom.