Power of Atonement

Since we aren't taking Porter to church yet with how bad so many sicknesses are going around I have been trying to take that time to reflect on blessings from Heavenly Father (Tyson has to go to church because he is in the bishopric).  The power of the Atonement has been on my mind many times since we were blessed with Porter.  I am daily grateful for this gift.

The power of the Atonement blessed Tyson and I as we went/go through our infertility journey.  Bringing us the comfort we needed.  It wasn't always easy, and it took, especially me, a long time to be willing to let the Atonement fully heal us the way it has the power to. 

Through all of this I think of Enos in the Book of Mormon.  He too went through his needing the healing by the power of the Atonement.  I love the answer for the Lord when Enos asked him how it was he was healed.  The Lord answered him "Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen....wherefore, go to, thy faith hat made thee whole." (Enos: 1:8)

The best part of the Atonement is that it is available for everyone.  We each have the same access.  Individually we have to have our own faith for the Atonement to heal us.  I love that Heavenly Father has blessed us all with this wonderful gift. I know that by faith in our Heavenly Father in righteousness all things are possible.

Christmas 2012

Our holiday festivities began on Sunday December 23.  They started by us going to visit with Aunts, Uncles, cousins, GG, and Grandpa before they all went down to Temple Square to see the lights.  On Christmas Eve we went over to GG and Grandpa's early to help prepare for Christmas Eve dinner, Family Home Evening, and games.  We enjoyed spending time with all of the family who could be there.  The kids loved the chocolate fountain and the popcorn can game GG and Grandpa have for them every year.  

What is the popcorn can game?  Throughout the year GG and Grandpa collect items that are $1 or less that can be used for different ages of kids.  Then on Christmas Eve they wrap all of these items around a popcorn can with a ball on it with tape.  When the game begins all of the kids sit on the floor in a circle.  They each take a turn rolling two dice.  Whoever gets doubles gets a chance to start taking off the prizes taped on.  When the next person rolls a double the first person's turn is over.  This continues on until all of the items are off the popcorn can.

Christmas Day...We had to wake up Porter to go and see what Santa brought him. Here is a picture of him Christmas morning.

After opening all of the gifts, we went back over to GG and Grandpa's to have breakfast and then spend time with family members as they were able to come over.  During all of the Christmas festivities it was fun to spend time with our family that lives far away from us as well as those who live close.

This is how Porter enjoyed a good part of all the festivities...

New Years 2013

To celebrate New Years we went to visit Granny, Grandpa, and Nummy.  Granny helped Jami finish making the bumper pads and decorations for Porter's room while we were there.  A couple of the cousins who live in Arizona were also there visiting, so it was fun to play with them too.  To bring in the New Year we had fun playing card games and eating yummy treats Granny had made.

Here is hoe Porter's room turned out: