Thoughts and stories, by Pal

  We all want to hear from our Prophet at Christmas time!  Inspiring words! President Nelson invites all to ‘make room in your heart’ this Christmas for those struggling to feel the Savior’s love View 1 more In a video message released Dec. 16, President Russell M. Nelson invites all to help others feel the Savior’s love.  Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   By Sydney Walker     Updated 16 DEC 2021 8:09 AM MST As many are burdened with fear, uncertainty and the ongoing effects of the  COVID-19 pandemic  this Christmas season,  President Russell M. Nelson  shared a message of hope and joy with the world.  “The Christmas season is near and dear to my heart, as I know it is to many of you,” President Nelson said  in a video message  released Thursday, Dec. 16. “Given all that we have experienced during this past year and more, may I share a message about how we can help transform lives during this specia...

  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU DEAR FRIENDS! I wrote this last year in blog # 1304.  I'm sharing it again, as I do at Christmas time.  The experience first mentioned, happened last year in 2020.  I had a tremendously exciting experience this last week as I researched the ancestors back from my grandson's wife's parents.  I wanted to find out about the people who will be sharing a pedigree chart with me, about our mutual descendants.  I found many very fascinating things, and the next blog I will continue telling about my experiences, and new discoveries on that subject.  I'll probably write after Christmas, and begin by telling how I found a (tentative) pedigree back to 0195!  Including the kings of Ireland and Scotland -- ancestors of my darling great grandfather.  I have never seen a pedigree back that far!  The farthest back I had actually seen was back into the 1200s.   So I'll tell that first, when I get time to write it -- ...

This is a very timely and interesting article!  The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and You Let Him By  Carolyn Nicolaysen  · December 8, 2021 Author’s Note: When I spoke in Herriman, Utah a few weeks ago I had several people ask about the checklist binder I had with me. I had not yet finished the sections but they are done and available now at  Totallyready.com  I do not have email addresses or a way to contact those who asked so please spread the word. These sections are checklists to help guide your preparations and to access as a guide when the power fails, storms are on their way or for cleaning up after a disaster. They are step by step and ready to go.                    Thieves love the holiday season. They can do all their “shopping” in one place as we place gifts under the tree, leave them on counters to wrap and are overwhelmed and often ignore common sense safety pra...

   It is now 2021, and  I'm reposting a story that I've mentioned each year since I've done my blog!  This story is very dear to me!  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!      This true story about my Christmas when I was 5 years old, is truly a favorite.  Reposted from:  #  555. A Child's Christmas Prayer Answered -- first written on December 1, 2013, on blog # 21, also # 1303 . This a true Christmas story, from my childhood. The Christmas of 1939, here in St. George, Utah, was going to be quite humble at our house. My father had been in World War I and had suffered off and on with "shell shock", which now is called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He had been in the Veteran's hospital in Salt Lake City during the year, and my mother, Ruth, had given birth to my sister, Mavis, on December 1st. In those days, mothers stayed down much longer with a difficult birth. My mother had been allowed to turn over in bed on the 10th day, and got up on the 1...

  This was first published in the Deseret News in 2012.  It is great for thinking about what we want to set as New Year's Goals.  There also is an article by Elder John A. Widtsoe when he was President of the University of Utah.  I am putting that also at the end of this article.  This may seem long, and you can take whatever time you need, or come back and read it later.  It is well worth the read! Setting goals: Advice from Elder John A. Widtsoe still relevant more than a century later By  Deseret News     Jan 2, 2012, 5:00am MST Caresa Alexander Share this story Share this on Facebook (opens in new window) Share this on Twitter (opens in new window) All sharing options Members of the BYU Board of Trustees on commencement day 1933. From (L to R) BYU President, Dr. Franklin S. Harris, Church President, Heber J. Grant, Church counselor Anthony W. Ivins, Senator and Member of the Council of Twelve, Reed Smoot, David O. McKay, later P...