It's Just Emotion that's Taking Me Over...

I LOVE this time of year. I absolutely love it! But I am just about the most emotional person on the planet from the first Christmas commercial until about the 3rd of January. It's joyful emotion, but emotion nonetheless. I cry at church. I cry at school. I cry watching TV and while listening to Christmas music. I cry when children sing Jingle Bells. I cry when I think of the Christ-child and His family. Like I said~joyful crying. But also choked up with emotion.

This time of year is all for one reason. Whether you're Christian, Jew, Catholic, non-denominational, white, colored, boy or girl, the Christmas season began because of Christ. It has become much more and some of those things enhance the season and all it's joys, and those joys are the things that get to my heart. Oh, I hear cries of "commercialism" and "skipping Thanksgiving" often, but here's the kicker...it's all in how you choose to view it. You can find joy or you can be upset. And we all know how I'm a connoisseur of  joy!

So I have found much joy in the season already. I gave praises of gratitude and thanks with my family in Washington for Thanksgiving. I began playing -and singing Christmas music early.

 I spent time watching fun Christmas movies with my family.

I gained inspiration and renewed strength in my job and calling in life by remembering I'm a guardian of children. I decorated my house with love. I watched Savior of the World with my Young Women. I marveled at the sacrifices made by so many to bring about His birth-and then to sing praises of joy because of it. I know I was in Heaven singing too.

Sydnee, Meghan and Shelby after Savior of the World
@Conference Center

Again I choose to find joy, and at this time of year you don't have to look far. I find a lot of it at home with my family and in the simple acts of preparation. Though there are events I would never miss I like to keep it simple so the rush and stress doesn't get too taxing. I count my blessings. I know I have many. And I'm emotional about it. In a joyful way.