the Spirit of the Holidays.

As I traveled this week, I didn't feel much of the Christmas Spirit until about Sunday Morning.  We went to the Bontia Springs ward in Ft. Myers Florida. the couple who had put together the Christmas program told a lovely story that has prompted me to tears a few times this week. They spoke of a ward in medena California. These people speak mostly Spanish, and work in the locals vineyards everyday for long grueling hours. In this area is a specific vineyard. It is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every ward and branch in this surrounding area take turns and jobs every year to part take in the up keep of this vineyard. This humble Spanish branch, will often work on Christmas Day, to full-fill all of their assigned job, because of  personal schedules it is the only day most of them have to spend to do their part. It has been said that once this sweet ward does their part working in the Lords vineyard the move on a few rows beyond their assignment to help the other wards. Can you imagine working in the Lord's vineyard? On Christmas Day? I am humbled by these people and their willingness to serve the Lord.  As I thought about this during the week I found myself people watching in the Houston airport. I saw small acts of kindness and love in everyone around me. I was surprised to hear Merry Christmas spoken by the flight attendants. The smiles on strangers faces as the share their Christmas destinations and traditions. The kind words spoken to young mothers by those trying to cheer up crying children. We know the world can be a dangerous lonely place some days. But as I traveled across the country I felt a reassurance in the American people.There is still kindness and love its just harder to find and exemplify in ourselves. 

Think of Christ and be overwhelmed in the Gratefulness you feel for him. 

Serve the Lord the best way we know how by serving others.

Merry Christmas everyone, and enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

The Holiday Season/ dear santa

Today, for the first time in what is called the holiday season, got a bad taste in m mouth from it. I actually find it entertaining what we as Americans think of as a Holiday. 

In the Month of December alone, we send out cards to everyone we know telling them about us our achievements and anything else we feel the need to include, but as we receive them, that first day of december , instantly begins the "Oh wow, who has time to get these out in time?" "They spelt that wrong!" and anything else we feel like adding about their christmas cards. Yet, we stress about the picture we are going to use, (I too suffer from this I dont like the picture we chose this year) what to write and who all to send it too. 

Then there are the lines at the stores, who feel they HAVE to create major discounts and offer you sales as you search for the christmas presents for your family and friends. (where are these sales for birthdays and anniversaries?) 

By the time this is all finished you could careless about the Christmas Eve dinner, and the true meaning of Christmas just that it is over, thank heavens no more christmas music! Then the idea you are going to have to take down the tree put away the decorations and pick up the wrapping paper spread across the floor. 

Well, welcome to an American Christmas people, one of not only faked cheer of those trying to check you out at your nearest grocery store saying "Happy Holidays" for the 60th time in a row, but also one of stress filled lines lives and late nights. 

So Dear Santa, 

I am finally ready to write you and ask you what I would enjoy most for Christmas. I have been around the world this year emotionally, physically and mentally. Learning of cultures, work, people, and myself.  Coming to find joy, peace and happiness in the most simple things. So as you prepare for Christmas this year, I would hope that you could keep in mind to bless this holiday Season and everyone involved in it to see the simple small things and appreciate them. Search them out, learn gratitude for them and never forget them. For these simple things, running water, toilet paper, soap, comfortable beds... make our lives run smooth keep us healthy, and make a difference. Santa, I know that sounds absurd, but by remembering all that we are blessed with, we remember why it is we send our christmas cards. To keep people involved in our lives, saying to them, " I still appreciate your friendship even though we cant talk much." It will help us remember why we give each other gifts, they are gestures of love and hope for the future we can all share together. To remember why it is we love our families so much, when we spend all day Christmas with them. Most Important to remember Our Savior and all that he has done for us. 

Thank you so much, and best of luck this Holiday Season,

Love, Hayley

grandparents are the best!!

I am totally loving being at my grandparents. Its gorgeous here. They are the best company and its so pretty!!    Walnut Creek is super fun!! and the trees are deep burgandys, oranges and yellows. Its just doesn't get much better than soup for dinner, fireplace, games and angel food cake! Perfect sunday, even with going to a singles ward. Love them!!

little bits of wisdom I have been picking up lately

Sweet Peas

because the flower blooms constantly the flower stood for  lasting pleasure in the Victorian language of flowers.

Honeysuckle

Because it winds its long wild wild stems around the branch, honeysuckle reminded the Victorians of the bonds of love, as if it said to the object of love, "Let me mind you-be my captive."

Hyacinth

Young Love, so transcendent, so self-obessed, so often fatal, manifests itself in the hyacinth's blooms. in the French flower code, it said, "you love me and destroy me." In the English code, it merely suggested play. 

Lilac

 Expresses the Beautiful sadness of love, the feeling- always available to the lover- of impending farewell. 

from the book of all things floral and its meanings by scoble and feild

om namah shivaya

I honor the divinity that resides within me. 

" Our whole business therefore in this life," wrote Saint Augustine, " is to restore to health the eye of the heart whereby God may be seen."

To hear is to see. So the matter still stands, do I hear things I want to see? and what I see does it change me?

tomorrow I take a drive I have been taking my whole life. tomorrow I drive it myself. 

here I come:D

London!!

Oh so sad, this is our last stop and my final post with my europe pictures:(  I will post about my life after this. But never the less, I will never stop traveling. I just can't I am too curious for my own good. Haha, well we stayed the night before in cheltenham and it was really nice. We got into London and things got crazy, our awful hostel was just a mess. Other than that London was everything I had remembered. Intense Loud Dirty and beautifully hectic.

 enough said...

 tower of london

 royal jewels

 so sososososo good!!!

awesome huh? the window says "easy grass"  

my favorite author 

st. pauls 

big ben 

 girls night!!

 parliament

 the buckingham palace

 telephone 

 the london bridge

 our impromptu photo shoot

 hahaha

 I loved London, but as far as England goes, I plan on returning to the countryside. 

Liverpool/Preston/Herefordshire

okay everyone we are in England! The last country of my Europe experience. I had previously been to London the year before and was excited to see a bit more of the country. 

 this is Liverpool! 

This statue is dedicated to all of the hundred of mormon saints that boarded ships here for the states.  

 I personally have ancestors from England who were converted to the church and left from this dock to come to America. There are actually books about them. 

 such a pretty view!

 an english stone wall!

The first ever "loo of the year" award!! 

 goofballs in Preston!

 one of the many things dedicated to the Mormon Saints. 

It is said that HUNDREDS of people were baptized one day here in the river ribble

 President Gordon B. Hinckley's apartment. "forget yourself and go to work"

The Preston Temple!  

 The best fish n Chips in all of England. Jay Sea's

 Benbow farm

 Benbow Pond

 so lovely had to take a picture

 enough said

"eavesdropping" if you would like to know the whole story its actually quite awesome, just leave a comment and ask!

 Herefordshire Beacon aka, steepest hill of my life

but the view was well worth it 

 the oldest chapel the church owns. this is how you unlock the door

 great friend in a great place

I loved this leg of the trip I had wonderful spiritual experiences and my testimony of the gospel grew a lot. I am super grateful for the temple and the chance I had to go!!