"...I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things" (Alma 26:12)

It's Christmas season again! I so love this time of year with all the lights, the gift giving, the gift receiving, the good food, great time with family and loved ones. I love thinking about the love God has for us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It's so humbling to think of all I have been given because of Him. I have to say, "...My God shall supply all [my] need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). I am indeed a blessed woman!

This year is the second Christmas that I have CRPS (learn more about that here). There are times when I think about all I have lost because of this condition. I can't bike anymore (this has been super difficult...but the more time passes the easier it gets?), I can't hike, I can't walk, run, jump, or pretty much do any exercise that requires me to use my foot a whole heck of a lot (that's just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak). It's easy to get sucked into the comparison game and feel the "whoa is me" part of CRPS (see Jeremiah 15:5).

But! There is a whole other part of CRPS that I am choosing to focus on this Christmas season. I figure it is a gift I can give myself. It is to focus on what I can do (that's not really a part of CRPS, but I am going to pretend it is). "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things" (Alma 26:12). I can sing...Christmas Carols are so beautiful! I can write. I can cook. I can enjoy the beautiful lights from all the people who have taken the time to put them up. I can stroll with our new dog (I believe Hershey is pretty much the perfect dog for our family)! I can read. I can see! I can be thankful for all I have, this includes suffering and pain (see D&C 98:1). I can smell all the yummy smells of Christmas, even "an odour of a sweet smell" (Phil. 4:18). I can listen as others share their experiences of the season. I can do so many wonderful things!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is all the lights. I love how happy all the lights make everything. Again, this year, on Mormon.org there is a #LightTheWorld campaign (go here). I am so grateful for this simple expression of gratitude and giving that I can do each day. It doesn't need to be difficult or big. It's a simple way of giving thanks for all I can do. Today's message is "...freely ye have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8).

One more thing I can do is to testify of what I know and believe. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37). He was born in a manger (see Luke 2:1-7), the Son of Mary (see Mark 6:3). He is the King of Kings (see Rev. 19:16), and the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6-7). I can do many things, and there is so much to be grateful for because of Him (see 2 Corinthians 2:14). I can also tell you that I know you are loved beyond words, beyond comprehension...because of Him (see John 17:23, 26). This I testify.

#LightTheWorld

This is Hershey, the perfect dog for our family!