“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.” — Kathy Calvin
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Love Grows at Christmastime
Snow falls, nature slumbers, Winter's flurry stops new growth
December brings the season, filled with laughter and new hopes
Kindness abounds, good deeds seems to thrive,
Hate is put down while true brotherhood comes alive
Love grows at Christmastime,
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heal at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts
Soft words, spoken freely, fill the air with joyful sounds
Warm smiles shared with gladness life the spirits of those worn down
Families comes home strangers makes new friends (2×)
Happiness flows when we reach out with open hands
Love grows at Christmastime,
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heal at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts
A little tenderness can spread untill whole
World fills refreshed, we all are blessed with love
Love grows at Christmastime,
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heals at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts (2×)
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This is what Dean is having today. It’s just about ready. It’s a great soup for a cold, snowy day.
Chicken Dumpling Soup
6 T. butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup matchstick carrot
1 cup diced celery
1 pound chicken thighs cut into 1” pieces
2 t salt
1/2 t dried thyme
½ t. Pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 T flour
6 c. chicken brother
¼ c. fresh parsley (chopped)
For dumplings:
2 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
1 c. milk
3 T melted butter
In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt the butter and then add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring often until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the chicken, salt, thyme and ground pepper. Stir until chicken is cooked through (about 5 minutes)
Add the garlic, stir. Add the flour and stir until the chicken is well coated. Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
While soup is simmering, make your dumplings by combining flour, salt and baking powder. Make a well in the center of the flour, pour in the milk and melted butter. Stir until mixed, not overmixed. Drop dumplings by spoonful into the simmering soup until all dough is used. Cover with a tight lid and cook for 12 - 15 minutes. The dumplings will float to the top of the soup when done. Test a dumpling by cutting it in half. If it is still doughy in the center. Cook a few minutes more.
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The gifts of a Savior, of prayer, of time, of love are all blessings in our lives. Another important gift is HOPE. Hope signifies that despite the darkness of winter, spring will come. At some time in each of our lives, we go through periods of darkness and despair. We take our own walk through Gethsemane. To love, to live as the Savior taught is to give those around us hope, even in the darkest atmosphere. Christmas is a time of goodwill, and cheer - but not for everyone. Let us open our eyes, and volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. One of the ladies in my community is an excellent example of one who gives hope. There are many children who are hungry, families who do not know where their next meal is coming from. She is organizing (through the schools) for these families to have meals each of the 12 days of Christmas vacation. Is it crazy? YES! But she’s following the Savior’s example and making a difference in the lives of children. Giving trees, angel trees, Sub for Santa programs, The Marine Corps 'Toys for Tots' need donations for those qualifying families/individuals. Simple acts of kindness are huge. A few years ago, I was at the store looking for an opportunity to do something good. I was going to let someone get in front of me in line, or help someone, open the door to someone. When I got in the store, I was the recipient of so many acts of kindness that it was unbelievable. As I left the store, a little tiny lady, probably in her 80s, held the door open for me! Our world is kinder and much more positive when our lives are filled with hope. Some of us are unable to physically or financially do these things, but we can make a phone call to someone who is alone, a visit to a care center, a smile, a wave a cheery hello. We can open our eyes and see people. We can be a source of light and hope ~~ Marilee
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A LEGEND
~Author Unknown
There's a beautiful legend
That's never been told
It may have been known
To the Wise Men of old
How three little children
Came early at dawn,
With hearts that were sad,
To where Jesus was born.
One could not see,
One was too lame to play,
While the other, a mute,
Not a word could he say.
Yet, led by His star,
They came there to peep
At the little Lord Jesus
With eyes closed in sleep.
But how could the Christ Child,
So lovely and fair,
Not waken and smile
When He heard their glad prayer
Of hope at His coming,
Of faith in His birth,
Of praise at His bringing
God's peace to the earth?
And then, as the light
Softly came through the door,
The lad that was lame
Stood upright once more.
The boy that was mute
Started sweetly to sing,
While the child that was blind
Looked with joy on the King!
