Day 775

     Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!  Katie is doing well.  She was able to "participate" in her preschool program this past week (she sat in a chair and smiled - she was too weak to stand - and too shy to sing).  But she was happy to be there and we were glad too!
     The increase in her high dose steroids (after her treatment) have wrecked havoc on her this week!  She has had low blood sugar episodes every day!  Once at 3 am - just prior to my alarm going off to feed her, and then all the other episodes have occurred around 6 am (which is so weird because she eats and drinks so much at 3!)  It has been unsettling and frustrating.  I haven't slept much or well, for worrying about her.
     We are excited and ready for Christmas!  We will be spending the holidays with my family in New Mexico.  I have not been "home" for Christmas since 2005.  We have gone to New Mexico each year for New Years, but this will be my first Christmas with my family, since Scott & I got married.  We are excited for Conner and Katie to share their Christmas excitement with G.G. (my mom).  We have lots of fun things planned - and Katie & Conner are excited to play with their cousins.
     We had a dark cloud try and douse our peace and joy this past week...But the "storm" has passed (for now).  However, as the week progressed, this talk by Elder Ulisses Saores stood out in my mind: 
     "Chirstlike attributes are gifts from God.  These attributes come as we use our agency righteously....With a desire to please God, we have to recognize our weaknesses and be willing and anxious to improve.
    "Meekness is vital for us to become more Christlike.  Without it we won't be able to develop other important virtues.  Being meek does not mean weakness, but it does mean behaving with goodness and kindness, showing strength, serenity, healthy self-worth, and self-control.
    "Meekness was one of the most abundant attributes in the Savior's life.  He Himself taught His disciples, ""Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart.""
    "....Christ asks us to "take up our cross daily," meaning that it must be a constant focus and desire....and we should instill this feeling in the hearts of our children....that they may learn to behave properly before Him under all circumstances.
    "By controlling our reactions, being calm and temperate, and avoiding contention, we will qualify for the gift of meekness.
     "...I believe the Savior Jesus Christ is the supreme example of meekness.  Even during the last moments of His mortal life, being unfairly accused and condemned, painfully carrying His cross up to Golgotha, being mocked and cursed by His enemies, being abandoned by many who knew him and had witnessed His miracles, He was nailed on the cross.
     "Even after the most intense physical suffering, the Lord tuned to His Father and spoke from the bottom of His meek and humble heart: ""Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.""  Christ faced extreme physical and spiritual suffering, giving us the opportunity to change our spiritual character and become meek like Him.
    "I bear my witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  I testify to you that, thanks to His love, it is possible to change.  It is possible to leave our weaknesses behind.  It is possible to reject the evil influences in our lives, control our anger, become meek, and develop the attributes of our Savior.  He showed us the way.  He gave us the perfect example and commanded each one of us to become as He is.  His invitation to us is to follow Him, follow His example, and become like Him."
("Be Meek and Lowly of Heart" Ensign, Nov 2013).