I hope you all had a wonderful LIGHT filled Christmas!

We were blessed to have all the kids and grands here to enjoy lots of yummy food, fun games, and spending time together.

As we prepare to enter a new year, I hope we can carry the spirit of Christmas with us and use it to LIGHT the way to serve others in some way every day.

“shepherds witness angel’s announcement” by artist: uplift your spirit shop

“Light is one of the most visible symbols of Christmas. It is no coincidence that a bright star appeared in the heavens to mark the Savior’s birth. Light drives away darkness. Light allows us to see clearly. Everything seems more joyful, more promising, when there is light. And this is the very effect Jesus Christ can have in our lives. He can dispel the darkness of despair and deceit. He lights our path and brightens our days. As we have learned the glory of God is light. And if we receive His light and continue in it, we receive more light. And that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. In addition to being our light, Jesus Christ gives us life.” ~ Ulisses Soares

As you reflect on Christ’s birth and life this season, remember that no matter what you’re facing, you can turn to Him. He fills every gap, heals every heart, and lights every path.

Light accompanies the coming of Jesus Christ and symbolizes His power to bring spiritual light into every life.

He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.

On December 27th, one of my favorite church leaders completed his earthly ministry and joined his beloved wife Pat in heaven. Elder Holland was one of my favorites. His talks and books felt as if they had been written just for me. He had a way with words that few people master, and yet he was incredibly relatable. He made you feel as if you were the best of friends. His words have helped me through some of my darkest days. I will always be grateful for his kind and loving words of wisdom, love, and kindness.

My hope for you this week is to look for ways to share your LIGHT. Act on the impressions you receive. Make that phone call to check on a friend. Send that text letting someone know you are thinking of them. Write a note or letter showing thanks and gratitude for someone who served you. Go to lunch and lend a listening ear with a special friend.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Love Ya, Les 😊

In honor of Jeffrey R. Holland, today I want to share some of my favorite quotes from him. I hope they touch your heart and help lift you in whatever trials and struggles you are going through right now.

“If God has told you something is right, if something is indeed true for you, He will provide the way for you to accomplish it.”

“If it was right when you prayed about it, and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.”

“It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

“Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”

“God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go.”

“Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve.”

“You are stronger than you think. Help is available, from others and especially from God.”

“Refuse to accept the world for what it appears to be. Shine the brightness of your hope on it . . .”

“Believe in miracles. I have seen so many. They came when every indication would say that hope was lost.”

“So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.”

“If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived.”

“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers . . . and fulfill your dreams.”

“It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

“I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection.”

“Don’t give up. Don’t you Quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead.”

“Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us.”

“We take some solace in the fact that if God were to reward only the perfectly faithful, He wouldn’t have much of a distribution list.”

“Don’t be fearful and don’t be discouraged. God will be with you on your journey always.”

“I promise you that God does not lie awake nights trying to figure out ways to disappoint us or harm us or crush our dreams or our faith.”

“It’s for reasons known only to God why prayers are answered differently than we hope, but I promise you they are heard, and they are answered according to His unfailing love and cosmic timetable.”

“We get credit for trying even if we don’t succeed.”

“Don’t wait to live. This isn’t a rehearsal. This isn’t a dry run. This isn’t a pre-performance routine. This is it. This is real life. Don’t wait. Savor every minute.”

“The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever.”

“When we don’t know how or exactly for what to pray, we should begin, and continue, until the Holy Spirit guides us into the prayer we should be offering.”

“In a world that so desperately needs all the LIGHT it can get, please do not minimize the Eternal Light God put in your soul before this world was.”