"Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14)

Day 1 (Dec. 1st)

Today is the kick-off for Light the World challenge. This challenge invites everyone in the world to honor Christ by "following His example of sharing light and love". What a wonderful idea and way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Each day there are suggestions or ideas that can inspire you to help #LIGHTtheWORLD.

Today's challenge was a day of service. I love what Christ has taught us about serving others:

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)

 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

As we participate and take this challenge to heart we will be letting our "light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). This is a way for us to fill our hearts with the joy of the season; that there may be "on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

Have fun as you #LIGHTtheWORLD. And remember: "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). You are SO loved!!!

(Here is another Link to the challenge)

"...We have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work" (Alma 26:23)

I am so blessed to live close by many temples, which makes it easy for me to attend frequently. One of the things I have noticed is that the matrons who work there are always so kind  and gracious as I leave. They are always telling me, "Thank you for coming today" (learn more about temple service here). I am so grateful for these wonderful women (and men) who choose to sacrifice their time to serve in the temple so that I can attend the temple.

As I observe these sisters, I often wonder if they realize that they are living the teachings of the Book of Mormon prophet, King Benjamin. He taught: "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). I have often been very unaware of doing service myself, and feel rather nervous or embarrassed when someone says something about my seemingly insignificant acts of kindness because I often think that it is just a small thing and really isn't that big of a deal. But truly, the small acts of encouragement, the small efforts we each make to express love, kindness, sincere appreciation for others, it all adds up and makes a "great" difference! We are the instruments God uses to express His love for all His children. What a tender blessing for us and those we serve!

Another small act of kindness that has often brightened my day is the friendly waves, smiles, honks, and cheers of encouragement as I ride my trike. Those, oh so seemingly small gestures, a wave with all five fingers, make such a huge difference as I ride uphill at a snails pace or fly downhill at breakneck speeds. Just as Alma says to his son Helaman, I say, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise" (Alma 37:6). Thank you for lifting me and help me achieve more than I can on my own. This goes for everyone who practices being kind, loving, encouraging, cheerful, and so many other small random acts of Christian love. These "small  and simple things" help make a difference in "a world filled with chaos" (Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples) but most often, we have no idea of just how significant that difference really is.

This leads me back to those sweet sisters (and brothers) who so valiantly serve in the temple each week. Their diligence of being at their posts to serve and help bring about this "great work" is quite humbling. It is amazing to ponder the power of temple work, through the service of those who are matrons and those who are patrons because it is the efforts of many that help "...bring about immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39), which is God's work. "Behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work" (Alma 26:23). What a joy to be a part of this great work, to help God in His work of the salvation of all men, women, and children (see 2 Nephi 9:21).

Those seemingly small and unimportant acts of kindness add up and make a great difference in the lives of God's children, and that's all of us. Thank you for your service, especially when it goes unnoticed.

"Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17)

I have a son who absolutely loves clam chowder. Another really likes salmon. And my third son loves to eat and make peanut butter popcorn. My daughter will eat my leftovers and she brings her friends to our home for lunch and shares our food with them as well. I do like to cook and I usually make breakfast for our children before school, even if it is just a smoothie. I realized that I spend a lot of time cooking and feeding my family and others. I mean a lot of time!

It hit me the other day that feeding my family is one of the best things I could spend my time doing. I love gathering to eat together, to share our day, share what was good and what was bad. It is a wonderful time even if the food is consumed within a few bites. Feeding my family consists of more than just making food. It's also about feeding their souls, building family relationships, creating memories. We are gathering. One of the Lord's great purposes is to gather and feed His sheep.

When Christ appeared to his disciples for the third time after He had risen, He says to Peter three times, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Feeding our families is a blessing. We not only feed our families, Christ's sheep, by making food for them, but we also feed them through kindness, love, service, having a cheerful attitude, being quick to forgive and so many other ways. There may be times when we don't know how to feed others or our families. Comfort comes from the words of Christ, saying: "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers...Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep" (D&C 112:10, 14).

Making and taking the time to cook and feed others is a great blessing. When I realized I was doing more than just slapping food together and stuffing my kids with food, my attitude changed about making dinner and other meals. I am following Christ and answering His call to "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Gratefully we can feed His sheep daily as we feed our families and others we come in contact through small acts of service, love, and sharing our "food".

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Recipe for Clam Chowder:
2 cans (6 1/2 oz. each) minced clams
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1-2 celery stalks, diced (or 1/2 tsp celery salt)
1 large onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour (I use Pamela's baking mix or Grandpa's Kitchen other Gluten Free flour)
1 quart half and half
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
pepper to taste (I like to use white pepper, but black is great)

Pour juice from clams over vegetables in large saucepan. Add water to barely cover. Cover. Simmer about 20 min (until potatoes are tender). Meanwhile, make roux by melting butter and then stir in flour. Mix until smooth. Whisk in half and half. Stirring constantly; cook until smooth and thick. Add undrained  vegetables and remember the clams (I have forgotten these before). Heat without boiling. Season with salt, sugar, and pepper. (yields 8 servings)

Recipe for Peanut Butter Popcorn
2 bags microwave popcorn (about 6-8 cups)
1 cup sugar
1 cup Karo or corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter

Pop popcorn and remove unpopped kernels. In a pot combine the sugar and syrup. Cook and stir until just boiling. Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter. Stir in popcorn.