Kent, Mariam and co.

Have you ever seen a toy or kids kit and thought, "(So-and-sos) kid would love that! And ohhhh what a mess it would make." You might even get that super villain laugh in you head when you think of the mess the little recipient would make. There are sooooo many nasty gifts to choose from. This weekend I saw a "make your own lip gloss kit" and a "make your own perfume kit". Are you kidding me? Give a kid a mess of wax and dye or vats of smelly liquids. Both truly diabolical gifts. There are also things like, tubes with 6 feet of bubble gum balls (excellent for the 3-4 yr. old on your list), Sand art (this one backfired on me when K got into the kit I was giving to someone else), anything with non-washable paints and glues, and really almost any "kit". I hear that little super villain in my head each time I see one of these nasty gifts. While I was thinking about my evil schemes, a memory of my Grandpa C came to mind. He loved a good pract...

While trying to think of the Christmas lesson I needed to prepare for Sunday, I came across this "Mormon Message". It touched me. I have been so busy trying to get everything in order for Christmas. Looking at my list, making sure things are wrapped, buying last min. presents. Everything consuming my time was for truly non-essential things. Although fun or expected, none of those things is really in the Spirit of Christmas. So, in these last few days before Christmas, I will make a greater effort to remember the Savior, his life and sacrifice for all of us. I will make a greater commitment to give a gift truly acceptable for the Savior. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, " Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only [true] gift is a portion of thyself." Merry Christmas. What-Shall-We-Give?