New Year's: Look Not behind Thee - Genesis 19:17

Faith in Jesus Christ gives us strength to leave the past behind and look ahead to a brighter future. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE SO KIND TO READ MY BLOG!!!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

The prophet Isaiah foretold His birth centuries before the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem of Judea. "For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaish 9:6) At this time of year than any other, Isaiah seems to be quoted more often, and for good reason: This is the season when Christendom commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

The irony is that while celebrating Christmas many people put much of their focus on the trappings and wrappings of the season rather than upon the Savior. "There is no better time than now, this very Christmas Season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ". President Thomas S. Monson

He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. He taught us to pray. He taught us to serve. He taught us to forgive. He taught us to love.

He invited us, "Come, follow me". He offered His life as a redeeming ransom for us all. "Thanks be to God the son for the offering of Himself. And thanks be to God the Father that He sent Him. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son'. (John 3:16)

May the spirit of love which comes at Christmas time fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year. Our love goes out to you as we celebrate his birth together.

Tender Miracles! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBREE GIRL!

This is an excerpt from Aubree's letter this week...

AUBREE TURNS 22 ON SATURDAY!!!

...during our planning we worked on how we could be more obedient, what we said in our lessons..tudo. so we can change something. 2 nephi 25:29. we worked on sincere prayer. we werent able to get anyone to church on sunday everyone fell through. our trial of faith was starting to look endless.
then yesterday the lord led us to this street. we taught this women named jonni she said i have been thinking about this church, my friend is a member and i wanted to learn more. i am inbtwn churches right now and im super confused...golden! we taught her and she accepted! we taught a few more lessons on that street and of course it was around 630 and i was starving as usual and i said i need to eat something so we started to walk out of the street and i felt the spirit really strong not to leave and at that exact moment we heard a voice say oi are you missionaries? we said yes and this women told us to teach her.... uh what yes. we walked in and she said do you remember me and i said no i dont think so? she said i saw you on the bus a few weeks ago. i felt bad cause we ride the bus everyday i didnt remember her. she said i wanted to talk to you the spirit was touching my heart but i was embarrased bc of the people on the bus. and she said i saw you on the street right here and i had the same feeling so i yelled to you guys. we taught her the first lesson and i told her that the lord put us in your path two times he wants you to know the truth. she started tearing up and she said i dont have fear of anything i want to follow the lord if this really is his church. the lord really is preparing people to hear this message. as we left i felt humbled that heavenly father led us to this wonderful street and right before we turned the corner a man yelled to us.. are you the missionaries of the church of jesus christ? we said yes and he said i already met with the missionaries... we marked with him and were meeting with him tomorrow.
alma 32; 27 experiment upon my words and excersice a particle of faith, 2 nephi 27;23 i work not among the children of men save it be according to thier faith, 2 nephi 26:13this week for me was all about faith. the lord will put you through trials until you cant handle them anymore and right before your about to give up he blesses you. its the lord time not yours. his way is not always the easiest but its the best for us whethere we like it or not. we just have to trust and have true hope that he will do his part if we do our first. thats how it works thats how the gospel works.
im so grateful to be here. the church is true.
i love you all
sister corbin

Thanks in Giving!

It was a beautiful breath taking view off our balcony as the sun set on Thanksgiving Day! The weather was perfect in everyway. Crisp 69 degrees, skies where clear, a moment to reflect on life's treasures!

Meet Phillip & Christine Tootill, James's parents from Oxford, England. They came to visit James during the Thanksgiving holiday. When Amanda & James got married my intention was to make them a quilt from our family. Well, with the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, the quilt did not happen. It has only taken me two moves, and life's adventures getting in the way to finally create this "Season of Gratitude" quilt for them. They spent Thanksgiving with us. They are very delightful. It was a pleasure to get to know them a little better.

"Mine elect"

I've been so busy updating Aubree's blog and just living life that I thought I might want to do a post once in a while on mine. I have to say Aubree's is a bit more uplifting and spiritual. I love to listen to her music and read her letters over and over.

My sweet mother had a birthday last week. She turned 82 years on Thursday, November 4th. She was born in 1928...I was just thinking she is the reason our Dad, all of her children, grand-children, and great grand-children live and breath the gospel of Jesus Christ everyday. With out her recognizing the truth so many years ago when the missionaries knocked on her door, I shutter at the thought of where my life would be today!

And for those who not only hear but those who hearken to the Lord’s voice, the Lord calls them “mine elect,” “for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts” (D&C 29:7). I believe that our ability and our willingness to hear can be increased and that our ears can be opened to hear clearly the voice of the Lord.

Thanks for listening to that voice Mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY....I love you!

Roast Beast

Happy Birthday James! This is James's birthday dinner...his request was Roast Beef, potatoes, gravy, and peas. He was so excited, he had many helpings and even got to take some home. Followed by his favorite (for now) chocolate chip yummy cookies. Amanda had to work late, but got to eat her dinner when she got home. Today is his actual Birthday...So HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!! We love you and we are so grateful you are a part of our family...

Paradise

noun
1. heaven, as the final abode of the righteous.
2. an intermediate place for the departed souls of the righteous awaiting resurrection.
3. ( often initial capital letter ) Eden ( def. 1 ) .
4. a place of extreme beauty, delight, or happiness.
5. a state of supreme happiness; bliss

This is the view from our top deck in Corona Del Mar of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina, Dan refers to as "Paradise".