Our First Christmas

Celebrations began last night. My Sister Robin flew in at 5:30 pm from her new home of Utah. From the airport, Travis and I stopped at Freds to get our stocking stuffers (which is weird and wonderful to pick for yourself) and then headed to my parents house. There we ate good food, listened to the Santa Story and the Christ Story and sang Christmas songs around the piano per family Tradition. I guess, I need to learn piano so to keep that tradition alive when I'm not close enough to go to mom's house some day.

Travis and I then came home and finished the last of our preparations then made our way to bed. Christmas morning, we followed the standard routine for getting ready for church, but we both sang in the Choir and my gosh darn wonderful friend Abbey came to listen cuz I mentioned it and that I was in a smaller musical number. She's so great!

Travis and I then came home and had our humble gift exchange-we did really well actually, Travis got the bedding set I've been eye-ing for several months, I got him a game for his 3DS that he's been wanting for a few months and then we both had a few small gifts such as a wallet for Travis and haha-ankle weights for me. :D I love them. Its kinda a funny story that only I really get. But they bring me joy.

Afterwards we stopped by my mom's house again in the middle of their gift exchange, of which Travis and I were not forgotten. So grateful for the games and George Forman grill! Now it won't be such a bother to cook me some chicken breasts-which are a very useful and versatile and affordable dinner staple.

Then we headed to North Pole to help prepare dinner and gift exchange with Travis' parents. We also got to video call with his sisters and neices and nephews for a short time.

Travis and I have felt so blessed as we have celebrated. The gifts were all very thoughtful and much appriciated, but most of all we feel overwhelmed by the amount of love we have felt from friends and family who've supported our establishment of our own new little family. We are grateful for the prayers sent our way and the testimoies and examples of righteous good people. We know the Lord has carried us and blessed us as we have sought to follow in his way.

Merry Christmas to those near and far, and may the Spirit of Christ dwell in your hearts and homes as it has in ours!
Love and Hugs,
The Paytons.

Silent Night

My sister in Law Teri is a very talented girl. These are her vocals and guitar. She's had CD's made before, but went into hiding a couple of years ago. Now with the encouragement of loving nieces and family she's putting her talent out, we're all so excited!

Thanks Asia for your continual encouragement and support of Teri as well! Love the dancing legs! I believe your help with the project made it happen!

You know the world we live in is uncertain, scary and ever changing. But, it is filled with much good. I am so grateful for good friends, good family, a GREAT husband whom I love a very good deal, and goodness all around.

It started with my updating my Facebook to the new Facebook timeline, and I continued with several hours of reminiscing. I have to much to be thankful for. In light of the current world events, I'm grateful for the peace and assurance I have in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have an eternal perspective making the good things that much better, and the not so good things that less troubling.

Today, I started another round of seminary subbing, and we're reading from the book of Judges. The current events in that book were similar to the events now-wars and bloodshed after war after war and bloodshed. There was a pattern though, that is relevant today:

God would deliver his people from oppressors if they would repent and call on him.

Likewise-if we repent and call on him

we will be delivered from the "chariots of iron"

which we face today.

With some faith and obedience, I've found peace amid the chaos of it all,

"For I know in whom I trust; I Stand upon the rock; The floods cannot, no they shall not, overthrow me."

-Joseph Smith.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Am I a bad american? I didn't know Operation Iraqi freedom was different from the War on Terrorism. But after today'd news, and an awareness of my ignorance, I did some history research. If you didn't know they were two different wars either-go do your homework. I'm pretty embarrassed.

Anyways, todays news: Operation Iraqi Freedom is officially ended. The troops in Iraq will be coming home in time for Christmas. YAY!

I can't help but to think of those who never made it home though-specifically my thoughts at this moment turn to Jamie Campbell, who was killed in Iraq when her helicopter went down January 2006. Wonderful woman who dreamed of motherhood-she and her husband were in the Army, and decided to postpone children until she had fufilled her commitment as a soldier. She gave the ultimate sacrifice. She was a wonderful leader and mentor to me through the young womens program at church-smart, beautiful, kind and loving. Her belief in God and in her purpose as a soldier left a great impression on my young mind-and I'll forever be grateful for her influence on my life.

Perry's Video

I'm not stating any political opinions here-I'm just clarifying something that I feel people are misunderstanding. This video by Rick Perry :

has people all in a tizzy. The misconception: out of context it sounds horrible, "theres a problem when gays can serve openly in the military" but in context, you'd hear him say "....openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school."

Its a very different message if you listen to the whole thing. That is all.

Maybe he needed to say it differently for "political correctness" however I think he said it the way he did to stir the pot. I think he knows that it might cost him an election to be so bold. But maybe his purpose in running to tell the world: There is a problem.

The problem is age old. My rights vs your rights. In order for one group to have rights it seems they think they have to take away the rights of others. Its going to take a long time before we reach any compromise that suits both parties.

As an example, the civil rights movement, lasted officially 13 years. Thats how wiki reports it anyways, but we both know that it was a movement long before 1955 and in many ways continues today.

No one president is going to solve our problems. Its gonna take a whole country of liberals, conservatives and everything in between to learn how to love and tolerate and compromise before any "war on religion" or "hate towards gays" is going to end.

This is very very thought provoking. I'm not a fan of weapons, I don't like the idea, or the concept, but this young womans story is a very compelling argument for the right to bear arms.

Though her story is tragic, and I see how and why she feels the way she does,

I must argue that if she had had her gun that day,

I don't think it would have turned out any different.

What if

is a horrible question.

You can drive your self to madness asking that.

On the topic of our 2nd amendment however,

If I were a weapon carrying person,

first, it would definitely be concealed,

and second, I would want it with me.

That would be the whole purpose, is to have it in case.

To not be allowed to carry on campus or where ever would defeat my purpose in owning a weapon.

In light of today's events (shooting at Virginia Tech) it is worth thinking about.

Police officers don't go anywhere with out their guns-its for a reason.

The second amendment is also there for a reason.

After discussing the topic with my brilliant husband we decided the solution to the problem is simple. People should have the right to bear arms, but should first have to take a course and pass that course to get a licence to bear their arms. I say, that course should teach people how to immobilize an attacker, rather than just how to hit a target.

And then, the other solution is to use other means of immobilizing first.

I'm gonna ask Santa for a purse sized Tazer. :)

The Hands that First held Mary's Child

Every year, on the first Sunday in December, our Prophet and his counselors share with us a Christmas message. I enjoyed it very much this year and thought you all should have access to it. I especially loved the first talk by Deiter Uchtdorf (no surprise there, he's my favorite). I think half of why I love his talks is his beautiful accent, it really makes me listen. They all have good messages and stories, but his are almost musically delivered. Anyways, you can get the broadcast here.

I had the thought presented today from a friend, about how Jesus was litterally a little baby, and that Mary had to change his diaper, and nurse him, and teach him and got to watch him grow. And hours later, during the broadcast, I thought of that-and I thought of how he was much like any other little baby-except that he wasn't. He was our Savior-born to a special calling. And I have a song from ward Choir Practice that puts my feelings in very eloquent perspective.

The Hands that First Held Mary's Child.

The Hands that first held Mary's child were hard from working wood

From boards they sawed and planed and filed and splinters they withstood

This day they gripped no tool of steel, they drove no iron nail,

But cradled from head to heel our Lord newborn and Frail.

When Joseph marveled at the size of that small breathing frame,

And gazed upon those bright new eyes and spoke the infant's name,

The angels words he once had dreamed poured down from heaven's height,

And like the host of stars that beamed blessed earth with welcome light.

This Child shall be Emanuel, not God upon the throne,

But God with us, Emanuel as close as blood and bone.

The Tiny form in Joseph's palms confirmed what he had heard

And from his heart rose hymns and psalms for Heaven's human word.

The tools that Joseph laid aside a mob would later lift,

And use with anger fear and pride to crucify God's gift.

Let us O Lord not only hold the Child who's born today

But Charged with faith may we be bold to follow in his way.

Christmas Bells

"Christmas Bells are Ringing

Hear what they say to you

Jesus Is Born

In Bethlehem (echo) In Bethlehem."

This is a simple song that I taught the primary today. And for a visual aid all I did was pass out little bells on a peice of twine. They loved it. The bells made the music sound kinda busy, but overall it was worth it. Things I did:

Had pianist play the song see if any of the kids knew it. Jingled the bells behind my back to give them another clue, then passed the bells out, sang it for them once and had them singing it a couple times in a row. :) Easy peasy.