An Unexpected Journey

It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.

- Bilbo Baggins

  Our life on earth can be a strange one. We sometimes find ourselves in odd places and situations, and it can be hard to keep your feet. If there is one thing you can expect from life, it's the unexpected. What do we do when life's straight paths begin to curve? How do we keep our feet?

  One of my favorite books is The Hobbit. The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, who is a very successful and comfortable person, who likes nothing more than sitting in his house and eating great food. Bilbo hates adventures, the very thought makes him feel uncomfortable. But one day an adventure falls in his lap, full of danger, mystery, and a whole bunch of dwarves. And to his own surprise Bilbo takes it!

  Sometimes we feel like Bilbo Baggins; We feel comfortable and content with the things we have, and we don't want anything to change.  Though if we never change then we never grow! We don't always find ourselves coming home to 13 dwarves and a wizard eating all your food, but sometimes life throws us an opportunity and we need to take it. Leaving the comfort of our homes, or jobs, or our circle of friends can be hard; but when nothing is ventured, nothing is gained. 

  Bilbo found life-long friends, a pile of gold, and joy in his unexpected journey. Who knows what you'll find on yours! If we can recognize these adventures when they happen, and take advantage of the opportunities God gives us, we will find our own lasting happiness. Who knows! You may even find your own pile of gold, or maybe even find some friends, a long the way.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

- Thomas S. Monson

Dedicated to Chris "The Degn" Petersen

It's Christmas that we're waiting for, but we can wait a little more.

On window panes, the icy frost
Leaves feathered patterns, crissed & crossed,
But in our house the Christmas tree
is decorated festively
With tiny dots of colored light
That cozy up this Winter night.
Christmas songs, familiar slow,
Play softly on the radio.
Pops and hisses from the fire
Whistle with the bells and choir.
My tiger is now fast asleep
On his back and dreaming deep.
When the fire makes him hot,
he turns to warm whatever’s not.
Propped against him on the rug,
I give my friend a gentle hug.
Tomorrow’s what I’m waiting for,
But I can wait a little more.

  I love Calvin and Hobbes. This poem has always been a favorite of mine, it reminds me that there's more to Christmas than gifts and money. This is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and to show others the love that he showed us. How often do we stop to think of others in this time of the year? What does Christmas mean to you?

  The poem helps me to think of my family and my friends, to remember the small things that make them great. It reminds me of the fun times we've had and those that we can look forward to. To show them that I care about them in simple but significant ways. Everyone has a poem or a book or a song, that helps them to feel that special spirit that Christmas brings. The spirit of Christmas, or the spirit of Christ, is always around when we put those around us first and it leaves a feeling of warmth and joy.

  President Thomas S. Monson once said "As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others." That feeling of comfort and happiness that comes with the season doesn't have to leave. We can always feel the spirit of Christ, as we try to be more like Him.

  Show someone you care this Christmas. Perform a small act of kindness, and see the happiness you can bring to someone who needs it. Don't be so quick to chase away the feelings of this wonderful time of the year. Bring that spirit of Christ with you, and keep it. You will notice the difference in yourself and the ones you help, as you love them like our Savior does. It's Christmas that we're waiting for, but we can wait a little more.

  Merry Christmas!