Cherished memories

I love this time of year for many reasons: surrounded by family, involved in fun activities, remembering Jesus Christ's birth, feeling the importance of his Atonement. Giving and receiving gifts. The memories we make together carry us through the challenges of life. I remember convening at my parent's farm for family gatherings. Sometimes it was holidays like this and other times it was for family reunions or simple visits. The fun always came to an end though. Of course, we have all experienced these feelings some time or another, but for me the emotion is particularly poignant because I remember my young son wishing these gatherings could last longer. And a few tears were always shed as we drove up the long driveway and off their property. Fun gatherings with family and carefree getaways can't last forever, at least not in this life. But that is exactly why we make the choices that we do now, so we can reap the benefits here and now, which continue into life everlasting with the ones we love. In this life we just get glimpses of this experience, but in the hereafter, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can enjoy the good things of life everlasting with all those we love in a state of perpetual joy. Because life is hard--and easy carefree times fleeting--we can appreciate and hope for the blessing of eternal happiness and peace in the kingdom of God. The Lord Jesus Christ taught that he would prepare the way for us, mansions in heaven. Doctrine and Covenants 59:1-4, Mark 10:30 

And we know with surety that we can rely on his word. He is patient, kind, and loving. He has prepared a way for all men to come unto him and receive the reward he has prepared for them.

I was always amazed as a child when I heard the experience of the Israelites who were bitten by the serpents and died because they would not look to the brass serpent lifted up on a pole. It was a simple solution that could have saved their lives. This is a similitude for us that we might learn from their experience and look to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Our Christmas 2014 in Cancun will be a memory we can hold on to and cherish the rest of our lives, and when you remember these 10 days spent in Cancun, remember it's by the Savior Jesus Christ who made this all possible and because of him, the joy we will experience heretofore will exceed your fondest expectations now and through eternity. So no tears necessary. Our joy need never end.