Get thee up

Not that I'd ever fall asleep reading stories to my kids! And not that they'd find the most obnoxious way to wake me up!
 

What's going on?

Hey! General Conference is coming up this weekend, and I've barely said anything about it! I haven't even posted a link to the Ward Cartoonist's Activity Packet!

As faithful readers of this site may know, every couple of years we take a bunch of kids to Europe over spring break. Since Sis. B is a French teacher, we always have to go to Paris. From there we try to explore different parts of the world.

This year, half the trip was in France, half was in Spain. We saw some fun things and had some good experiences — up until the day before we were supposed to go home.

My passport was stolen.

We were in Barcelona, having lunch at El Corte Inglés in the cafeteria on the ninth floor. It has beautiful views of the city. I had my satchel, which held my passport and a couple of other things (like some churros I was saving for later!), on the table next to me. I must have been distracted for just a moment, because it was there — and then it was gone!

Our last free afternoon was spent trying to make a police report. We were sent to three different police stations before we found the right one to file the report. The police were kind and helpful.

My next step was to visit the consulate to try to get an emergency passport so I could go home. But, this was a Friday afternoon and the consulate wasn't going to be open until Monday.

Long story short, the rest of the group got to go home on Saturday morning. I had to stay behind. Alone. And, no, I don't speak Spanish!

Luckily I was able to get lodging near the airport, and the airline graciously rescheduled my flight. The consulate was great and gave me same-day service, and I eventually made it back home. But, boy! Was it a stressful series of days in Spain!

While I was stranded, I didn't have the means to keep current on my cartoons, however. My notebook and pen were in my satchel as well. I also lost a pocket kite that I've flown at several historical landmarks around the world. Dang.

I'm hoping that General Conference will give me the extra boost I need to get back into the swing of things. 

And that's why I haven't turned in my homework.

 

Writings on the wall

Samuel definitely fared better with his experiences on the wall than poor, ol' Humpty Dumpty did!

Tales from the other side

Can't you just see it? A whole series of books based on the character Naughty Nephi!

There's a nap for that

Another good reason to gather in the phones and other portable devices at night!

The Nephite Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

"And they knew it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given."

(3 Nephi)

Merry Christmas!

The Nephite Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.

“And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.”

The Nephite Christmas Story

he story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.

"And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid…had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.

“In fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth."

The Nephite Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world."

The Nephite Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful."

“And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers."

The Nephite Christmas Story

The story of the birth of Christ according to the record in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

“And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many things.

“And behold, he said unto them: Behold, for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
“And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld.
“And behold, this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.”
(Helaman 14)

The Nativity, part VI

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Merry Christmas!

---

The Nativity, part V

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The Nativity, part IV

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

The Nativity, part III

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

The Nativity, part II

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

The Nativity Story, part I

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.



* Follow this link for a good resource for materials about the birth of Christ

Tales from the hive

I got to wondering about what kind of bedtime stories they might tell in a beehive...

The Story of the Nativity VI

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Merry Christmas!

---

The Story of the Nativity V

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.