My Gift

This is the 3rd year where I have selected a particular goal to finish by Christmas as a gift to my Saviour. After I achieve this goal as my gift to Him, it always turns into a gift for myself somehow. It nourishes my spirit and calms my heart. It has been a deliverer of peace during the Christmas season.

My gift this year was to have THE LIVING CHRIST memorized. I squoze in the time whilst caring for my little ones, carefully memorizing each inspiring sentence. In the back of my mind I had envisioned some sort of presentation that would come of it; a recitement in front of my family for Christmas morning or perhaps a special family home evening of some sort. This type of publicized event did not come, but a more perfect setting did present itself...

I had it completely memorized right down to the signatures by December 23rd. In the late evening, I found myself alone in the house; My husband was gone, due to come back late that night, and my 2 kidlets were just settled in their beds fast asleep. Alone in the kitchen, I started to have one of those overwhelming moments that I get every so often. My heart holds it's beat and my eyes start tenderly filling with tears; a moment of deep deep gratitude ensues. My husband. My daughter. My son. All mine. How I ever found favour enough to receive such an insurmountable blessing of being a wife and a mother to this family, I will never understand. It was in this moment I felt a prompting that this was the time to give my gift. With a voice humbled and quivering, I recited THE LIVING CHRIST out loud. I stared into my living room of glowing Christmas lights, a tree holding the handprints of my babies, a standing plaque of mod podged pictures of baby Jesus, a string of cards given from family and dear friends, and photos on the wall of what matters most. This was Christmas. This was my gift. It was given standing in my kitchen wearing ragged pyjamas. My hair was undone. My makeup was off. It wasn't wrapped pretty nor was it grandiose... But neither is a stable and a manger.

Even given to us in the most humble birth, Jesus Christ will always remain the greatest gift we will ever receive.


CLICK HERE TO READ THE LIVING CHRIST



Heaven's slice is our Saviour.

We wish you a ...

Heaven's slice is celebrating our Saviour's birth.

How to Spend Less at Christmas

Well, I've found the secret to spending less at Christmas time. Are you ready to know what it is?!

You GIVE more.

Yep, that's it folks.


But BECAUSE I love the joyous sound of each stroke on my piano of letters, I shall type me up some paragraphs...


Over the past 10ish years I've noticed that December is one of those weird months. With all the expenses that Christmas can conjure, (most especially when you're married and have 2 families involved) it's no doubt that you worry about how much money is going out your door. On the flip side, December is also the month where you embark in the season of giving; Donating not only money, but time, smiles, compassion etc. Oddly enough, the month where you worry about money spent, is also the month where you joyfully give more of your dollars. The result is shocking - the expenses don't break the bank at all! In fact, when it's all said and done, you prove to be thriving! Truly. Giving more genuinely and generously with that Christ-like compassion actually blesses you financially. Obviously I'm not talking about when you spend excessive over the top non-needed gifts to people, but those dollars spent towards others that truly make a difference charity wise (Just thought I'd clarify in case you were tempted to go out and buy me that 5 star all-inclusive Hawaii vacation...) Though it is predicted to be stormy weather in December, it turns out smooth sailing.

Why is this? Well personally I have come to know it is actually the workings of a much higher power than you or I. God's hand touches our efforts and in turn blesses the giver. I've learned this through paying TITHING. I've had miracles happen by following this command. Money has become tight at times in my life, and as I've made sure to pay this regardless, a window has always opened. I've been ever-so blessed immediately after paying tithing, yes, even and especially financially. This is all due to the hand of the Lord, the only explanation.

My mother told me about this talk she stumbled upon called WHY GIVING MATTERS. The speaker is an economist who was setting out to prove that the more money you made the more money you gave. Though this was true, he stumbled upon the strange truth that the more you gave the more money you made as well. Even he, an economist, didn't understand why this was, but yet, it is. Giving more begets getting more. Even when it comes to $$ signs. It's a great speech, so click on it and read or listen to it will ya?!!

How blessed we are as human beings in the service of others. Doing good matters. Loving matters. GIVING, matters! I need to step up my game.

READ or Listen to it though, seriously, it's wonderful.




Heaven's slice is giving.

The CHRISTmas Gift

Last year I started something new for myself for the Christmas season and wanted to continue in this tradition. It all really got spurred on by the question: "What could I give my Savior for Christmas?" Of course the loving one another and giving more of myself popped into my head, but something inside me pressed deeper. I came to the realization that when I truly love and care about someone I try hard to make time for them, to listen to them, and to get to know them more. It was with this intention I decided that I wanted to bring Christ more into my Christmas season by taking the time to learn and study His life and mission more. So, last year I decided to read all of Matthew and loved how it brought me closer to Him. This year I really wanted to read the Book of Mormon (Click to view what this book is) by Christmas.

I've read the Book of Mormon all the way through before, and almost every year I try to read it all through again. My problem is though, that I read it for a while and then I forget to; time passes by fast and I feel guilty starting where I left off, so I read it again from the beginning. I've probably read 1 + 2 Nephi 1000 times (slight exaggeration). But, this year was different, I wanted it to be a gift I could give to Christ for Christmas. And, as He has never let me down, I knew I couldn't let Him down.

Well, December came and I had been reading the Book of Mormon somewhat daily since January... a verse here, may be a chapter there. It all came to a head once I buckled down to do the calculation though: If I wanted to be done reading the Book of Mormon by Christmas I would have to read 20 pages a day. Now 20 pages may not be much for you, but let me tell you something about me - I read fast, and comprehend S---L---O---W which is why I am too impatient with books and choose to only read Church talks, articles, blog posts, and FB status' (only the short one's). I was in way over my head if I thought about it, but truth is, I didn't. I looked at that "= 20" on the screen and said, "OK."

I finished it Christmas Eve and gained even more of a testimony of it! I understood it better than I ever had before. I learned so many new and interesting things about the inhabitants of the America's B.C. and early A.D. times. But... I think the most important thing I rediscovered is the how and why Jesus Christ has always been and should always be such a relevant part of our everyday lives. The call for "Repentance" is NOT a condemnation to low lives from off a high horse. It is a glad tiding of great joy that is relayed so that we can know that change is possible, mistakes can be undone, sins can be erased, and hearts mended. Christ's message is a joyous one and the best gift anyone can have, and everyone has the option to receive.

Heaven's slice is coming to know our Saviour.

The Christmas Tree

We have always had a real tree for Christmas (except the one year with no tree, which I will not delve into due the embarrassment of how we actually didn't miss it; probably because we weren't home all Christmas).

This was only the second time though that we got it ourselves from the forest.

And.    it.     was.     awesome.

With wonderful roads to support our endeavours and an awesome weather forecast for the day, my tender heart was put totally at ease. Our little girl LOVED playing and eating the fresh snow (I'm still trying to teach her about dirty snow versus clean snow). And we got our annual Christmas card send out photo completed there. It was so nice to just be in the mountains and waltz through the snow hunting for a Christmas tree. The fresh air seems to due wonders for one's spirit, especially if you get to share the moment with 2 of your most favourite people in the entire world.

Hope you all get to enjoy the wondrous blessings in your life through this Christmas season.



Heaven's slice is family.

Balancing Busy

With Christmas approaching I feel a lot of us (including myself) often use the statement and excuse - "December is just too busy." It's so easy to get caught up in all the gifts to make and buy for all the many people in our lives, the baking, the decorating, the events to go to, the checklist to go through...

But do we actually have to? Do we have to be pulled here and there, do we have to feel the rush and hurry? I'm not so sure this "busy rush" part of Christmas is something I want for myself or my family. But how can it be changed, how can it be balanced, how can it be removed?

I don't quite know the easy answer unfortunately, but I feel I am getting to know it.

Being so busy with events, family, friends, parties, and activity advents... do we realize how blessed we are to get to be so busy? To get those social interactions, those visits, those memories. Do we realize that for some, Christmas is the loneliest time of year? It's the month where no one has time for you, they're too busy to pop in, too busy to visit, too busy to remember to invite you, to be thinking about you, to be there for you... Or do we just assume that others are too busy too, that they don't have time for us either. This time of year is it a time when our burdens are lightened, or weighed down? Is it a happy exciting time or is it a nervously anxious time. I feel that being busy during this holiday season is only as bad as the outlook we have with the busyness. If it's not a joyous time where you can be present in the moment and event at hand, not only enjoying yourself but making other's around you joyful, then what's the point of being "busy."

Opening up the time for others including ourselves.
I've started to try and adjust my mind and my heart during Christmas. To make it a time for joyful gift shopping, for more meaningful interactions with others, and to enjoy more fully the wonderful traditions to be continued and embraced. To be more present in the occasion at hand instead of overthinking and planning the moments ahead. I'm making time for myself to be present in the moment, and be more thoughtful in regards to those around me. To take time to view those tender mercies rendered from the loving hands of others. To think more on what my Savior would do in situations and adjust to be more like him. To give of myself more to others. We often don't make time for ourselves within the Christmas season, but I also think this is important. I've started a tradition to feed my soul a bit more through December, to take the time to nourish my relationship with my Heavenly Father and in direct consequence it has helped me be there for others a little more.

Christmas is a time where busy is a wonderful blessing, and if we can't quite view it as such, then may be we could all use a little time for ourselves to get closer to the reason of the season.

Christ is the gift.



Heaven's Slice is being busy.

Secret Alms

a selfless act turned selfish.
When I hear someone throwing themselves into the self-persuit of fame for their "charity,"  a piece of me cringes. It's the dreaded nails on a chalk board feel of them taking a beautiful thing and defiling it. They I took what was supposed to be about the recipient and made it about them me. It is no longer charity; though benefits still apply to the recipient , the love is taken out of the equation. 

"That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly."   - 3 Nephi 13:4

Truly the best most noble way to offer service (alms) to someone is to do so anonymously or hidden in a sense from the praise of others.

I have been so blessed with numerous examples of this in my life: people who have helped me with absolutely no thought or want for praise for their gesture. They just simply give because of the love they have for another. There are so many times in my life where this kindness was shown to me and I've felt the depth of the love that they are in possession of.  It is in those instances where their service in turn forced me to look toward the Savior and feel an even deeper debt of gratitude to my Heavenly Father. "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." - Moroni 7:47  I love this scripture more especially within the last few years because I've grown to understand why charity is the pure love of Christ. For me, it is because when a charitable service is rendered in it's purest form it turns the your heart and mind to a greater power even that of the love that Christ has for you. This is the way in which charity ought to be given, in such a way that it is not found in pride for praise from the giver, but for the recipient to be filled with love. I find it so divinely interesting that regardless of the giver or receiver being a christian or not I still can't help but feel the Saviour's love enfold me. Perhaps it is because charity speaks universally to what love is.

I must share one profound example of charity I have in my archives. She was a straight shooter, tough as nails, bold, outspoken, and at times, an aggressive person. Her kindness was in a sense hidden, so it could not be paraded, but if you watched closely you could see that she was everything that her persona tried to keep a secret... she was one of the most selfless people I knew. She found out through watching me one day that I was having a hard time. The next day I was greeted by some flowers with a simple tear-evoking note that she was thinking about me. Just prior to these flowers this same person was given the harsh news that her cancer surviving chances were minimal. Yet, she chose to take that time and effort to watch out for me and give me some sort of comfort for my hard day. It was a simple act, but it was genuine and absolutely undoubtedly selfless. Many more acts of service has this shining example not only shown me but so many others. She was a giver, and her example will never be forgotten.

This post is for me more than any. I feel overwhelmed by all the good that I have received through so many family, friends, and even strangers.  It's hard to keep your head up when practically everyone around you is caring for you at such great lengths that you don't feel worthy of. Through every act is the face of my Saviour, whom I know that I could never repay. But, just because I cannot repay, doesn't mean I can't help in the joy of passing it forward.


Heaven's slice is living charitably.

Getting the most bang for your buck!

In the spirit of the holiday season fast approaching I figured this is a post everyone can use.

There are several ways that you can achieve getting the most out of your money: First there's the 'Free Factor' to consider, in which not a dime has to be spent. Then there's the 'Pricing Factor' where you research and determine where the bulk of the money actually goes to. Lastly there's the 'Emotional Factor' where your heart leads you to what would financially be worth the most to you.

Free Factor examples - Donating blood, spending time with someone who is house or hospital bound, giving unused or unwanted foods to someone, having a good long visit with someone who is lonely, giving someone a genuine compliment, helping someone with their groceries, reading a story to a little one, holding someone's baby, taking someone's cart back for them, watching someone's kids, driving to someone's house that doesn't get many visitors, sharing your talents and skills for someone else's benefit, truly listening to those that are speaking to you, volunteering your time in a play/benefit function/shelter etc., going carolling, giving a hug, giving a smile, making a phonecall to a business just to give a sincere compliment, visiting with someone at a grocery store until they decide they need to rush off, painting a little girls nails, making someone laugh. There are many many more that fall into this category

Pricing Factor examples - There are a great many charities out there, some of which once personally investigating give not even 50% of your proceeds to the actual persons in need due to many of them being run by paid employees. Obviously getting the most bang out of your buck in this category would indicate that you would have to give to a charity or cause that runs off of unpaid workers so the proceeds go straight to those in need. Here is one such place where 100% of your money will go to the cause you indicate: http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services.html

Emotional Factor examples- This one truly gives the most bang for your buck as your heart is what leads your decision and therefore gives you the satisfaction of love and peace from it. These are causes where family, friends, and community play key roles in the development of a cause that's ever so dear to you or them. Though they may or may not be free, and may or may not have unexpected additional fees, you still feel you got the most bang for your buck.


Always remember this Christmas season:

"...the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" -D&C 18:10

If you give of yourself in any way you can that "buck" can never be wasted.

Those that get the most bang for their buck have learned that true wealth comes from giving away your riches to those who are less fortunate so that they too may share in the spirit of love and thanksgiving.

Heaven's slice is charity.