A Christmas Insight . . .

Last night I had a decadent meal at the Grand America with an "intimate" group of my dearest friends. I wasn't going to go actually, I was having some lingering issues from the weekend and weeks prior to "the concerts", and thought it'd be best if I just crawled into bed with some Advil PM, Excedrin PM, and/or Tylenol PM and let them take me on a journey into the world of uninterrupted sleep.

But...at the last minute I decided to find something to wear and head to the Grand. And I am so happy I did.

Sometimes I forget what a privilege, honor, and blessing it is to be part of an organization that bases it's success on how many people are able to see and/or hear a performance. The success is not in the money, nor the number of times a recording hits the #1 spot on the Billboard charts (although that's always nice....). No, the success is in the number of people who go away from a broadcast, or concert, or special event feeling more joy, more peace, and closer to their God.

An added blessing of attending this event was seeing and visiting with the friends I've made in this organization...past and present...and being able to sit by the dearest of all.

But as I drove home, I thought about this Christmas season. It has been a rather difficult one for me...and I couldn't put my finger on it until I started thinking about the evening. I was in a room with so many friends who are eager to share their talents and testimony through music, willingly and without recompense. Last night I was reminded of how blessed I really am to be where I am, doing what I'm doing.

Before last night I had lost focus of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. The story behind all the songs we perform. The reason we rehearse and perform and do it all over again each week. I lost focus of the infant born in the most humble of circumstances. The infant who grew in stature and wisdom. The infant who willingly shared his life for us.

For me.

Today I am so grateful I had a long drive last night. I would have missed the whole purpose of this season. And that is more sad than not being home with Mom and Dad this Christmas. The thing is, it doesn't matter where we are, or what our circumstances are, KNOWING why we celebrate Christmas is far more important than how or where we celebrate it.

So to my one or two friends and family who will read this, Merry Christmas! May this season find you filled with more joy and peace, and closer to that babe born in Bethlehem so many years ago. May you and I remember this season all year long.

Attitude of Gratitude—Friends

If I had a hundred years and a
better system of filing my images,

I'm sure I'd have more than just these.

Just know that there are a lot of you
out there who have touched my life
by your example,
your words of wisdom,

the laughs,
the support in hard times,
and especially the
PATIENCE with

putting up with ME!

Thank you (even those who aren't
visually represented) and know
of the gratitude I feel for all of you.

Just one more....

Who knew eh?

Attitude of Gratitude—Thanksgiving Daily

We all listen to, or read talks given 

at General Conference. Like me,

I'm sure you have come away with 

something inspiring from each one.

 However, a few months pass, and we tend to 

forget about those inspiring words and feelings.

I had a friend share this with me today and

I realized something wonderful about lds.org. 

Someone in their media department has

those same feelings and voila.....

A video is posted and immediately that

little flame within is fanned again and I recommit

myself to being a better person all over again.

I'm sooooo grateful to be a member of the 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Today it has blessed my life by reminding me that

the most important things in life are those 

that are right beside and around me.

Attitude of Gratitude—The Small Things

I have to admit that sometimes I get 

fixated on the BIG things in life.

I'm sure you've been there too.

We all think we "need" something BIG

to make us happy.

But today I've been thinking 

about the small things....

the small things in my life 

that make me the happiest.

Like.....

A phone message from my parents I could 

listen to over and over and over again.

A funny card

Celery cut up in little bite-sized pieces

A text message with a picture of a cute 

little girl wearing a FAVULOUS tshirt

or....

A big brother holding his new

baby brother for the first time

or....

Some of my dearest "singing"

friends after a broadcast

A heated mattress pad

A baby bottle cap left after a visit 

from a friend and her two boys

"Carol Salmon, S-78"

Hearing my dad breathing in the background 

while Mom and I talk on the phone

(he does chime in....don't worry)

Gouda cheese, red grapes and mini-club crackers

A friend who says "I hate to even ask...."

but does anyway!!

(thank you for that)

Rising above all of these is a

still, small voice that whispers

comfort and peace to my soul....

a gentle voice helping me 

appreciate the beauty of

the small things in my life.

I am soooooo blessed.

Attitude of Gratitude—Looking Up

I've always loved watching the sky. 

I love the way no two sunsets....

or sunrises....

or middays....

are alike. 

I love the variations in the clouds....

the wispy kind and the little cotton balls. 

I love how many colors I can see in the brush stroke 

that spans from one horizon to the other.

It's the colors that draw me in....there are so many 

shades of blue that I can't even begin to count them. 

And pinks. Golds. Purples. Reds. 

You name the color and you'll probably see 

a hundred different shades of it one day.

I am soooooo very grateful for the Grand Artistic Designer.

He knows me so well.

There have been times when I needed 

something so beautiful that I would forget 

about everything else in my life. 

A reminder that there is something 

much more glorious 

and breathtaking 

for my earthbound vision to see.

I just have to remember to look up!

Attitude of Gratitude

For the past few years I've been invited to share what I am most grateful for with a friend via email. This year I wanted to post images of the people, places and things that are on my list of gratitudes.

So let me start with the most important!

 Mom and Dad

I'm sooooo grateful they decided to adopt after having Diane. They have been such a huge support through every part of my life. I didn't know it when I was younger but distance....both time and space....really do give you better vision.

I tell my friends that being in the Choir has been more fun for them than giving them grandchildren! And it's true. They are second to none when it comes to fan support. They surprised me a week before I was set apart by telling me they were going to drive down for it. It was a wonderful moment for me when Pres. Mac asked Dad to join him in setting me apart as a musical missionary. And Mom....well....she has single-handedly given away more Mormon Tabernacle Choir CDs than anyone else in all of Canada! She even helped me deliver press packets to some of the local television stations in Calgary hoping they'd start broadcasting Music and the Spoken Word. And since they haven't....well....the Shouldice Lodge has a Music and the Spoken Word hour every Monday morning where she shows one or two pre-taped broadcasts....and there is a regular following too! What a wonderful support system I have in my parents.

But that's not all. There are so many more things that my parents do for me.

I'm sooooo very grateful for the prayers, the many phone calls (I NEVER get tired of those!), the genuine excitement when we plan a trip for me to come up, the "you can do it" attitude when life gets difficult. And yes, even the "I think you need to get more sleep" comments! But most importantly, I am grateful for the examples they are of what it means to have faith,  the importance of regular temple attendance, and enduring to the end. I am grateful that they have taught me through word and deed that there is a Heavenly Father who guides us in every aspect of our lives.

So what better people in my life to start my month of gratitude than my parents. I love them with my whole heart!! And in all honesty, I would not be the person I am turning out to be without the influence they've had on my life.

Thank you Mom and Dad....I LOVE YOU!!

September and October

So a lot has happened the last 6-8 weeks.

And just to bring you up to speed....

Here are just a few of those "happenings"

A Birthday.....with a THEME!!

 

 

A Grand Opening

New Ideas

A trip to Canada with my sister Diane

 

  

 A New Look

 

And last but not least....another Grantsville Sunset!!

Of course there are one or two more things....

but I'll save them for another post!