SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS

One of the joys at Christmas time is the sound of music, not just any music but the beautiful music of the season. There are great gospel principles taught through the messages of our Christmas songs. Remember the Lord said that “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.” 

Consider this beautiful song titled “Mary Did You Know”
Mary did you know that your baby would one day walk on water, save our sons and daughters, that He has come to make you new, the child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know, that the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again,
the lame will leap, the dumb will speak.
Mary did you know, that He would calm the storm with his hand, He has walked where angels trod, that when you kiss your baby you have kissed the face of God.
Mary did you know, that your baby boy is the Lord of all creation, that He will one day rule the nations, that He was Heavens perfect Lamb and is the Great I Am. 

It is a thought provoking question – Mary Did You Know. The answer is taught so plainly in the Gospel. YES Mary knew long before the reality of her mortal experience and so did we. She and Joseph were both chosen and pre-ordained, for the marvelous earthly mission of being the parents of the Son of God. Mary to be his mortal mother and Joseph given the responsibility of providing for, nurturing, and loving as a Father would. We also were present in the counsel in Heaven when God offered His Plan of Salvation or as we often refer to it as the Plan of Happiness. This life was to be a test to see if we would obey all of the Gospel principles, laws and ordinances that we had been taught while in the presence of God in our pre-mortal state. God’s plan was based upon the principle of AGENCY, the opportunity to make the choices between good and evil that would allow us to return and live with our Father in Heaven again. With the ability to choose came the test, would we obey the commandments given to us by the principle of FAITH, having truth revealed to us through our hearts and minds by the power of the Holy Ghost rather than by always having to see evidence with our eyes.  

Lucifer, as you will recall, offered a counter plan – that of removing our agency and replacing it with force. His price tag for bringing us all back would be that he would be given all of the credit, power and glory for his accomplishment, in other words he would replace God. One third of our brothers and sisters choose what they thought to be the easy way. We all know the consequences of their choice and that they were cast down without ever having the opportunity to have a mortal body. We also know that Jesus Christ was central to God’s plan in that He offered himself to be our Savior and atone for our sins and shortcomings here on this earth if we would repent.

Yes, Mary knew, and even with the veil of forgetfulness she was valiant in her for- ordained calling to be the Mortal mother of Jesus Christ our savior.  

Would you like to have been there on that Silent Night, Holy Night, when the Angels were heard singing in that sacred setting, Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains, where Shepherds Watched Their flocks by Night, or in the Little Town of Bethlehem where The World In Solemn Stillness Lay To hear the Angels Sing. Would you like to have been there when Mary sang her lullaby to her Boy Child as he lay in a manger, for He had no crib for a bed. There the Stars in the Heavens looked down where He lay, the Little Lord Jesus asleep on the Hay. The cattle were lowing, the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. Be near us Lord Jesus we ask 
Thee to stay close by us forever and love us we pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.  

It is very probable that we were there on that night of all nights where the star led the way to His birth place, and where the choirs of angles, which we very well may have been a part of, heralded His coming and we rejoiced and honored our Lord and our Savior.

Dear friends, we love and appreciate you all. There are gifts that no one can buy because they are priceless and your friendship is one of those. 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We will see you again in 2006.

Love, 
Elder and Sister Jack and Joyce 

S Trauntvein Family Visit

Kimberly wrote: We are going to come down Christmas Eve late morning/early afternoon. We will need to head back home around 3pm. Will that work? Then we will just stay home Christmas Day.

Childs Cousin Dies in Accident

Toll rising on deadly rural road in Utah
This year, 13 deaths have been tallied in 9 accidents on U.S. 6 
By Nicole Warburton and Jeremy Twitchell
Deseret Morning News        
Much has been said about safety improvements along U.S. 6, but this has been the worst year for fatal crashes on the 128-mile highway since 1998.    
The Utah Department of Transportation reports 13 fatalities along the route this year, most being "cross-overs," where a motorist travels into an oncoming lane of traffic. 
On Sunday, three people traveling on U.S. 6 were killed when their car crossed the center line, collided head-on with a pickup truck and burst into flames.
      
The cause of the accident has yet to be determined. Kimball K. Childs, 46, Juanita Varela Childs, 46, and their son, Mason, 8, were killed in the crash.
      
Juanita Childs was a Spanish teacher at Carbon High School for the past 13 years, said Carbon School District superintendant David Armstrong.       
Mason was a student at one of the district's elementary schools.
      Eva Bennett, 54, and Jay Bennett, 55, both of West Valley City, were in the truck that was hit head-on by the Childs' car. The Bennetts were taken to Castleview Hospital in Price with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.       
Robert Hull, UDOT director of traffic and safety, could not give a reason for the high number of fatal crashes on U.S. 6 this year. Last year, only five fatalities occurred on the road, and the average over the past four years has been about 10.       
"The roadway has been built to the standards that are out there," he said. "Unfortunately with the nature of the road, in terms of being in a rural area, we end up getting into high-speed situations with impatient drivers, and poor decisions are made. Those conditions lend themselves in many cases to fatal crashes."
      
No crash on the road has ever been attributed to an unsafe road design, according to Hull. Since 1997, UDOT has spent $115 million to enhance the safety of the road, he said. Recent projects include the addition of center-line rumble strips, truck climbing lanes and an upgraded guardrail.       
Sunday's accident occurred in an area where center-line rumble strips were installed.       
Over the next two years, UDOT plans another $50 million in improvements to the road. Plans include the installation of overhead speed signs near the curve where a truck carrying explosives overturned in August, blowing a 70-foot deep crater into the road.       
The signs will register the speed of a vehicle, then tell motorists to slow down if they are over the speed limit. "It is intended to give the drivers information to let them know they are approaching too quickly," Hull said.       
Regardless of the improvements, Jenny Wheeler, a BYU employee originally from Ephraim, says she avoids U.S. 6 whenever possible. She and her family won't drive it during the winter.       
"If I go on 6 at all, I think it's only once or twice a year," she said.       
But for the 4,000 to 12,000 drivers who use U.S. 6 each day to commute, UDOT encourages safe and smart driving. Be patient, said UDOT spokesman Nile Easton. Don't speed or drive drowsy.       
"U.S. 6 has been a priority for the department and will continue to be a priority," he said, "but there is still a responsibility for drivers when they get behind the wheel to follow traffic laws."

Obituaries for Kimball Childs, Varela Childs and Mason Lowry Childs

This is Garth's, David's, and Richard's first cousin. For those who don't know, Garth, David and Richard are Renee Smith Childs' sons. Renee is the oldest daughter of Raymond James Smith (Myrna's grandfather). 
Thursday, December 15, 2005 
Obituary: Kimball K. Childs Price, Carbon County 
Kimball K. Childs was born August 15, 1959, to Parker and Dorothy Lowry Childs. He married the love of his life on December 31, 1992. The birth of his son Mason completed his cherished family. 
Kimball was a humble man with great faith, integrity and a thirst for knowledge. He was eager to be of service to everyone around him. 
Kimball returned to the presence of his Heavenly Father, with his son and wife, on December 11, 2005. He is survived by his mother Dorothy, brother Allen (wife Colleen), sister Debra (husband Steve), sister Diane (husband Bob), Aunt Virginia, Uncle Fred (wife Barbara) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Juanita V Childs 
Juanita Varela Childs was born July 5, 1959, to Henry and Englantina Barela. She married Kimball on December 31, 1992. 
Juanita cherished her family and loved entertaining them with her vivacious personality and sense of humor. She taught Spanish at Carbon High School, she loved to teach and cherished her students and they loved her. She enjoyed decorating and photography. 
Juanita joined her Heavenly Father, with her son and husband, on December 11, 2005. She is survived by her brothers Henry Jr. (wife Vikki), Marcelino, Fausto and Frank, Aunt Pauline, adopted mom Marilyn, brother Bill and grandmother Lorraine, many nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Mason Childs 
Mason Lowry Childs was born May 11, 1997, to Kimball and Juanita Childs. 
He was a loving spirit and a special gift to his parents and family. He loved being with his grandma eating cookies, playing with his goat Daisy, drawing and working on crafts. His smile, laughter and endless enthusiasm will always be remembered. Mason and Isabelle (his best friend) had fun packing puppies, cats and other things into their wagons to get to each others' house. 
Mason returned to his Heavenly Father, with both his parents, on December 11, 2005. 
Combined Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 16, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. at the Price LDS Stake Center (150 So. 500 E., Price). A visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price and also 1 hour prior to the service at the Church. Burial in the Orangeville City Cemetery.

Tim Boyce Video‏ Sent by Gordon Smith

http://kutv.com/video/?cid=5

 

I watched the video report about Tim Boyce from the kutv channel 2 television station web site.  It said I could email it to others.  I tried.  I even sent it to myself.  It did not work.  The web site address shown above takes you to the kutv videos for Dec. 19, 2005. 

 

I don't  know if you want to pull it up and watch it, or not.  However if you do, there is the web site address.  Just click on it.

 

I have done it, and it works.  However, sometimes it does not show all of the videos, and you have to click on "more" under those listed.  Once I had to click on U.S. & World in the list on the left side of the screen.  When that finally loaded, I then had to click on "more" listed under the stories listed.  When you finally get in there you will see a picture of a soldier and his son.  The caption says:  "Utah Soldier Dies After Complaining Of Headaches."  If you click on that, the video will be buffered in.  It takes time to buffer, but it is a touching video, and worth being seen. 

 

I have slow dial up.  If you have DSL etc. it will come in faster than it does for me.

 

Sorry the video wouldn't email like it is supposed to from kutv.  I tried emailing it to myself three times.  It just did not work.  

 

Planning Christmas with S. Trauntveins

Kimberly wrote: It looks like we are coming Christmas Day. We have church at 11am, so we will be down around 2:30 or about. Snow permitting. :-)

Myrna wrote: That means you will not be down for Christmas Eve? Love, Mom

Kimberly wrote: Correct, sorry. :(

Myrna wrote: Kirsten will be here Christmas Eve and will leave sometime Christmas morning

so they can get back to Colorado for Jared's work on Tuesday. Love, M

Kimberly wrote: What time Christmas Eve? We need to be at my parents around 4 pm. So we
could come early Christmas Eve leave around 2 pm. 

Jul

People in Denmark often have different views on Christmas, or "Jul" as we call it (the Christian word Christmas/Kristmesse never quite caught on in Scandinavia). The main festivities take place on the 24th of December (a normal tradition in Denmark is to have a big celebration the evening before the actual holiday). People go to mass either before noon or at midnight (the only time of the year the churches are full). In the evening people have a traditional dinner with their family (including grandparents, oncles, aunts and such). Afterwards they join hands around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas songs while walking around the tree. Afterwards, the presents are opened and sweets are served. People enjoy the company of their relatives until midnight mass or until they go to bed.

The christmas meal:
The most common meat eaten on this day is roasted pork with a crisp skin (the pork dates back to heathen times, where the largest pig would be sacrificed to Frey, the god of fertility). Other animals eaten on this evening could be duck or goose (newer tradition), some people (especially in southern Jutland) also eat sausage. To go with the meat, we eat two kinds of potatoes (boiled, and some roasted with sugar in a frying pan), red cabbage, and lots of thick brown gravy. The dessert is normally ris a' la mande (a Danish invention with a french sounding name), which consists of rice porridge, whipped cream and chopped almonds. In the ris a' la mande we put a whole almond, and the one who finds it, wins a prize (the dessert and the almond-prize is a rather new invention, not more than hundred years old).

All through the Christmas season people gather at christmas lunches, where they eat too much and drink "snaps" and of course strong Christmas beer. People also drink a lot of "gløg", which is warm red wine with chopped almonds and raisins. (Of course, members of the LDS Church do not drink.)

The Santa Claus figure is very popular in Denmark, due to the heavy American influence. The tradition of giving out presents has been popular in the broad population only for about a hundred years or so (this of course is also connected with the poverty among the masses before WWI). The still living traditions, which are very old, are the eating of the pork and red cabbage. Danish folklore contains a lot of superstitions and ancient rituals connected with Christmas, that I don't want to waste your time by naming.

Sharon Boyce's Parents‏

Hi Myrna and family,

 

Sharon Boyce is mom and dads great granddaughter.  She is the granddaughter of Roberta and I.  She is the daughter of our daughter Peggy and her husband Ernie Strong.

 

We have heard some wonderful things about Kirsten and her husband.  When Sharon and Tim were living in Colorado, Kristen tended Sharon and Tim's son (Ammon) for her, she brought food to Sharon, and Kirsten's husband fixed Sharon's teeth.  I'm sorry that I don't remember Kirsten's husband's name.

 

We have been so appreciative of how Kirsten and her husband treated Sharon and her family.  They performed many acts of kindness.  We feel a great deal of love for them, 

 

Sharon's cancer is in remission right now.  However, the damage done to her by the Chemo.

has been devastating to her health.  She is on oxygen, she has a great deal of scar tissue around her heart, she retains a great deal of water in her tissues, and has damage to her mouth and teeth.  Sharon is a fighter, and has a positive attitude

 

Sharon and Tim have a new baby girl who is about two months old.  Tim did get to come home and see that new daughter soon after she was born.  They didn't think they would be able to have more children after the Chemo.

 

Apparently, Tim had a congenital aneurysm that ruptured.  It is so sad.  He was a great husband, father, and grandson in law.  We will miss him.

 

We had our family Christmas party on December 18, and Sharon, Ammon and Grace (the new baby) were t;here.  Grace was Roberta's mother's name.

 

The viewing will be this Thursday, and the funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at a ward in Farmington.  That is where Tim's parents live.

 

Well,  our thanks again for your concern, and for Kirsten and her husband's help and love.

 

Love,

 

Gordon and Roberta

 

 

Gordon Smith

Boyce

Dear Family,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a great New Year. We want you to know that our grandson-in law, Timothy Boyce, while serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, suffered a ruptured aneurysm in his head. He was flown to Germany for medical care. He made it through the night, and long enough for his brother to fly up from his service tour in Afghanistan to see him, then life support was taken from Tim. His brother will accompany Tim home. This should take about 5 days.

The services for Tim are pending, possibly before Christmas.

Tim was home to see his new little daughter, Grace, recently. She is 2-months-old, and has a brother Ammon who is 4-years-old. Ammon talked to his dad on the phone recently and said, "Come home soon dad, I'm tired of being the man!" Sharon, Tim's wife and our granddaughter (Peggy and Ernie Strong's daughter), has cancer which is in remission at this time. She has other health problems stemming from the radical cancer treatments she received. She is a "fighter," has a great attitude about life, and is a very special young lady.

Your friendship and prayers in behalf of this family are greatly appreciated.

Again, we hope all is well with you and yours, and that you have a Merry Christmas.

Gordon and Roberta Smith

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