Bi-Annual Choco-holics
Happy December everyone! I hope you are all warm, with power, and looking forward to the week to come.
I have been thinking a great deal about D&C 68:25-26 this week, but just have not been able to put my thoughts into words. Even my scripture journal has been lacking. (I need to work on that) However, it all came together this afternoon as the Queen and I talked about your individual classes and lessons. I have asked permission to share this with you, but I owe it all to the Queen for helping me bring it together.
Last night we, the Queen and I, went to a Bi-Annual Chocolate and Champagne Party that is hosted by a dear friend and former boss of mine. It is the third time we have been to the event and each time we come a way feeling blessed and overwhelmed by the sweet association of friends and co-workers, but I digress, let me get on to my story.
Obviously, we focus a great deal more on the CHOCOLATE and the PEOPLE at this party than we do on the beverages being served. Our friends go all out for these parties. Each time there is something different to carry away with us. One year, they had mini heaters in the garage and all the fixins for S'MOREs, then there was the Hookah bar, and this year we were entertained by to up and coming violinist who will be leaving on their missions in a few months.
Again I digress. I am bad that way. In the dining room, we are all treated to a display of chocolate varieties. The tables, hutches, and window seals are covered with plates, cups, and platters of chocolate creations. There are pretzels dipped in caramel and chocolate, caramels covered in chocolate and sea salt, citrus peels laces with chilpolte, cayenne, or chili power and then dipped in chocolate. There are chocolate truffles, dipped oreos, chocolate covered potato chips, brownies, and coconut squares. We were able to choose from a variety of coco, dusted nuts of different origins, and then the favorite of all is the apples dipped in caramel, chocolate, and sundry other goodies. It is a choco-holics dream come true.
As we all made our way around the room, it was noted that those who had arrived earlier where sharing their likes and dislike. Party goers would turn to their neighbor and inquire, "Have you tried this?", "These are the best.", "Oh, you have to try this one", or "I would stay away from that one." New comers were quickly directed to where the apples were hiding and asked to save some for later in case they ran out. The host and hostess encouraged doggie bags with delight. It was a wonderful event.
The Queen shared her love and enthusiasm this morning for the even with her young women. Then she made the comparison. It was like partaking of the "Tree of Life" or sharing the gospel. Suddenly, the light went on in my head. It is exactly like D&C 68:25-26. As a parent/disciple of Christ, I too want share with my children/friends/neighbor that which brings me the most joy, Repentance - to follow the commandments and will of God, Faith - in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, making covenants of Baptism to be receive remission our our sins, and finally by doing so, we will be able to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, IF we continue living these basics.
At first, the joy of tasting just the sweetness of the chocolate/association and witness of the spirit is what draws us to Him. As we continue repenting, exercising faith, and making covenants, the sweetness is enhanced with the caramels, citrus peels, oreos, and apples. This becomes personal revelation, recognizing the hand of God in our lives, and then sharing our joy with others. It is a perpetual process.
I hope you all are able to find this joy. It is my prayer that you will someday have the opportunity to find the joy of sharing it.
On with the week.
It has been a busy one. In addition to work and parties, the Queen has filled her time with attending two swim meets, planning a combined activity, and the never ending holiday preparations. She amazes me with her endurance.
The Professor filled her cup to over flowing with seeking a counselor or two, teaching fractions, and hour upon hour of practicum homework for her own development. All in all it wears on her to the point of having a cold.
Tall Man continues the path of rehearsal, work, rehearsal, phone time, skype, phone time, skype, and more. Somewhere in the middle of it all he is attending and reviewing performances, making and creating holiday cheer, and sleeping.
SnackPack did his best to find balance in it all. He participated in the meets, attended basketball games, movie nights, work, SBO gatherings, and OH Yeah, it is choir performance season. Yes, the performances have begun. We have only seen version 2 of the performance list and are thrilled to see if there are subsequent versions to follow.
Life is good. Busy, but good. Until next week, Look to the Light.
P.S. imperfections in they typing of this blog is all upon my shoulders, not the reveler of analogies.
I have been thinking a great deal about D&C 68:25-26 this week, but just have not been able to put my thoughts into words. Even my scripture journal has been lacking. (I need to work on that) However, it all came together this afternoon as the Queen and I talked about your individual classes and lessons. I have asked permission to share this with you, but I owe it all to the Queen for helping me bring it together.
Last night we, the Queen and I, went to a Bi-Annual Chocolate and Champagne Party that is hosted by a dear friend and former boss of mine. It is the third time we have been to the event and each time we come a way feeling blessed and overwhelmed by the sweet association of friends and co-workers, but I digress, let me get on to my story.
Obviously, we focus a great deal more on the CHOCOLATE and the PEOPLE at this party than we do on the beverages being served. Our friends go all out for these parties. Each time there is something different to carry away with us. One year, they had mini heaters in the garage and all the fixins for S'MOREs, then there was the Hookah bar, and this year we were entertained by to up and coming violinist who will be leaving on their missions in a few months.
Again I digress. I am bad that way. In the dining room, we are all treated to a display of chocolate varieties. The tables, hutches, and window seals are covered with plates, cups, and platters of chocolate creations. There are pretzels dipped in caramel and chocolate, caramels covered in chocolate and sea salt, citrus peels laces with chilpolte, cayenne, or chili power and then dipped in chocolate. There are chocolate truffles, dipped oreos, chocolate covered potato chips, brownies, and coconut squares. We were able to choose from a variety of coco, dusted nuts of different origins, and then the favorite of all is the apples dipped in caramel, chocolate, and sundry other goodies. It is a choco-holics dream come true.
As we all made our way around the room, it was noted that those who had arrived earlier where sharing their likes and dislike. Party goers would turn to their neighbor and inquire, "Have you tried this?", "These are the best.", "Oh, you have to try this one", or "I would stay away from that one." New comers were quickly directed to where the apples were hiding and asked to save some for later in case they ran out. The host and hostess encouraged doggie bags with delight. It was a wonderful event.
The Queen shared her love and enthusiasm this morning for the even with her young women. Then she made the comparison. It was like partaking of the "Tree of Life" or sharing the gospel. Suddenly, the light went on in my head. It is exactly like D&C 68:25-26. As a parent/disciple of Christ, I too want share with my children/friends/neighbor that which brings me the most joy, Repentance - to follow the commandments and will of God, Faith - in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, making covenants of Baptism to be receive remission our our sins, and finally by doing so, we will be able to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, IF we continue living these basics.
At first, the joy of tasting just the sweetness of the chocolate/association and witness of the spirit is what draws us to Him. As we continue repenting, exercising faith, and making covenants, the sweetness is enhanced with the caramels, citrus peels, oreos, and apples. This becomes personal revelation, recognizing the hand of God in our lives, and then sharing our joy with others. It is a perpetual process.
I hope you all are able to find this joy. It is my prayer that you will someday have the opportunity to find the joy of sharing it.
On with the week.
It has been a busy one. In addition to work and parties, the Queen has filled her time with attending two swim meets, planning a combined activity, and the never ending holiday preparations. She amazes me with her endurance.
The Professor filled her cup to over flowing with seeking a counselor or two, teaching fractions, and hour upon hour of practicum homework for her own development. All in all it wears on her to the point of having a cold.
Tall Man continues the path of rehearsal, work, rehearsal, phone time, skype, phone time, skype, and more. Somewhere in the middle of it all he is attending and reviewing performances, making and creating holiday cheer, and sleeping.
SnackPack did his best to find balance in it all. He participated in the meets, attended basketball games, movie nights, work, SBO gatherings, and OH Yeah, it is choir performance season. Yes, the performances have begun. We have only seen version 2 of the performance list and are thrilled to see if there are subsequent versions to follow.
Life is good. Busy, but good. Until next week, Look to the Light.
P.S. imperfections in they typing of this blog is all upon my shoulders, not the reveler of analogies.
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