10 Things I Love About Christmas

I'm feeling reflective today, so I thought I would share 10 things I love about Christmas! They aren't the only things, but they are definitely some of my favorites.

1 - All things sparkly.

Lights, fancy Christmas dresses, Christmas ornaments, and children’s excited eyes!

2 - Red

It's my favorite color! Candy canes, tree skirts, ornaments and bows! Red noses, too!

3 - Christmas music

Traditional carols and country songs, too. O Holy Night and I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas are at the top of the list.

4 - The Nativity as portrayed by small children

Little Mary is always so excited for her role. Joseph is serious and proud. Tiny angels and five year-old wise men! Love them!

5 - Christmas movies

White Christmas. The Grinch. Charlie Brown. Rudolph.

6 - Shiny wrapping paper

This might qualify as All Things Sparkly. I love the way the tree lights reflect on the shiny packages.

7 - Holiday Fun Runs

Who doesn’t love a group of fast and not so fast folks bundled up to enjoy the cold and company only a fun run can provide and only runners can understand?

8 - Giving the perfect gift

It doesn’t happen every year, but once in a while I get it right! That’s way more fun than receiving the perfect gift!

9 - An excuse to bake all my favorite goodies for all my favorite people

Like I need an excuse!

10 - Remembering the Reason for the Season

Jesus Christ came to save us from ourselves. He overcame the world so that we, too, can have eternal life. There is no greater gift.

What are some of your favorite things about the Christmas Season? Do you take time to remember Him?

Merry Christmas and ...

 Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

- Carol aka Running Granny Green

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He is in the Details

“Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives.” – Thomas S. Monson

This was reconfirmed to me recently as I was struggling with a personal obstacle.  I had prepared for many months in many ways to participate in the Grand Teton Relay. It is a team effort and I was the captain. My own physical preparation suffered as I fought a calf injury all summer.  It would improve some and then I would reinjure it. The most recent injury occurred only one week prior to the relay.

To say I was discouraged would be an understatement. I threw myself a pity party for a day!  I then realized that I needed to recover quickly, or in the very least I needed to improve my attitude so that I did not have a negative impact on the experience for my teammates.  Ideally, both of those things could occur.  I approached the problem in this way.

·         I had a good talk with myself about my attitude.

·         I humbled myself and requested a priesthood blessing, which I received on Sunday night.

·         I requested the prayers of friends, which they kindly offered.

·         I rested.  This was difficult because I knew I was not physically prepared for the distance, heat, and elevation.

·         I vowed to take it slowly if I were able to run at all. (This was not difficult due to my lack of training!)

·         I applied ice and heat and compression. I stretched and massaged my calf.

·         I prayed.

Participating was important to me, but I did not feel that it was something that would be important to the rest of the world.  For this reason, I thought perhaps it was not a worthy request to ask my Heavenly Father for a rapid healing – and then I remembered these words from a prophet of God,

 “I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives.”

I pressed forward in faith not knowing if I would be able to run or if I would have to impose upon my teammates to run my 15.5 miles.  By Wednesday I was no longer walking with a limp. When friends asked if I was going to be able to run I answered, “We will see.”  Friday morning I applied kinesio tape AND a compression sock – and I ran.

I ran!  It wasn’t my best performance, but that didn’t matter. What mattered to me was that I was able to participate! There is no way my injury should have improved as quickly as it did. It should have taken a minimum of 2-3 weeks. I asked for help and healing from my Heavenly Father and I received it. It was important to me and He was in the details of my life. I am grateful for that reinforced knowledge and I am grateful for the prayers of friends who also find themselves in the details of my life. Your love and support is noticed and appreciated!

 

Question: When have you noticed the Lord’s hand in your life?

Happy Running!

 

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I Want Further Instructions

 

Some challenges seem greater than our ability to accomplish them.  The note above reads, “Please leave me a fraction of a mm of space between loop and opposing tooth.” A fraction of a millimeter!  What kind of measurement is that? Fractions come in many shapes and sizes – ¼, ½, ¾, 8/10, and 6/3!  Although I understood what the doctor was requesting, I was also frustrated that his instructions were ambiguous. I tend to do that a lot – get frustrated!

Most often my frustrations arise when I feel that I don’t have enough information to make a sure decision.  If only I had more facts, I could make a better choice. If I could just see the finish line … I could get through the challenge! Alas, that is not the way this life works. We are given challenges to help us grow. We are not given all the answers. This allows us to exercise faith.  We make decisions based on the best information we can gather, we listen to promptings from the Spirit, and then we move forward with hope that the decision was wise. 

It’s the first Monday in March.  My husband embarked on a new career today and I can’t see the finish line! I don’t have all the facts, but I have enough information to have faith that we’ve made the best decision we could.  We are moving forward.  I’m learning new things like “How to pack a lunch” and “Set the Wi-Fi on the new iPhone to ON!”

I suppose when we stop learning we stop growing. I’ve often said that change is good because it presents an opportunity for growth. I think that’s great advice to give others! And yet, I hope not to experience too much growth at any one time. 

I don’t have all the answers, but I keep moving forward with hope and gratitude. 
 
Question: What challenges have you experienced that have caused you to grow?  I would love to hear about them in the comments below!

Happy Running!