It's never too early...

image via google

This morning I decided to spend 45 minutes sitting in front of the Provo temple, reading scriptures and basking in the sunrise that slowly crept over the mountains. After reading for a while I got back in my car, plugged in my ipod and let it resume its random cycle. To my surprise, the first song to pop up was Josh Groban's O Come All Ye Faithful. I was even more surprised when my first reaction was to let it play. "I LOVE this music!" I quietly exclaimed, out loud, in my car. As I listened to that beautiful baritone-of-a-hunk Mr. Groban, my morning doubled in brightness, hope and motivation to be a little better.

I love Christmas music. And it is never too early to start listening to it. Perhaps you will find the lyrics below inspiring like I did:

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

I am reminded of all the Christmas concerts and musical performances I participated in as a child in elementary school, junior high and high school. Today I feel incredibly blessed for those experiences. I don't think I realized back then how close my music helped me feel to the Savior, especially at Christmas time. I hope that someday I will get to play again for Him. 

O Come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

Christ the Lord.

Joy with the Fam

In just about an hour, I get to talk to this guy:

EFY Summer 2006

I love my little brother dearly. From faithful "stuffed animal" playmate to kind confidant, Tanner is one of those guys who calls life as he sees it: no whip cream on the side with cherry on top. He's just real. And I love that about my brother.

Stay tuned for more posts about my excellent Christmas break....

I believe

...in tender mercies.

...I can do hard things because God often comforts us and answers our prayers through His children.

...I am a lot happier when I don't take myself (my work, my education, my hobbies) too seriously.

...life is enjoyable when we actually take time to live in the moment. And when I say live in the moment, I'm talking about accepting what's going on around you, expressing gratitude, and then deciding whether or not you will improve your circumstance.

...I really like midnight snacks.

...in Christmas.

Photo by George Deputee, Flickr