More Jibbin' & Jabbin'

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elf-Esteem

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Meine Maichala

After writing the last post, I was thinking about how mesmerized by our tree Keyan has been. In spite of its humble ornamentation, watching the tree has been a magical experience for him.

Nearly all of the ornaments are homemade, and one set has been in the family for a while. They are the the Maichala ornaments (pine cone dolls) made by my Oma. I thought I'd share the story with you all, because (1) it's one of the classics we read over and over again each year, and (2) I've never heard (or found) the story anywhere but from Oma.

O Tannenbaum

This year, we had planned to get our Christmas tree from a craft store (specifically, from the store's ream of green butcher paper).

But every time we would go to any store on some errand, Keyan's eyes would immediately go to the display of Christmas trees at the back, and he would say, "Ohhh! Look at the Christmas trees! They're so beauuuuutiful!"

We thought, "Well... maybe we can find a small, inexpensive tree. We'll just go look." So, we went to Frederico's just a mile or two from here. We got out and went straight to the smallest tree, which was about 4 feet tall. $39.99??? I couldn't believe it! (In a bad way, that is. I re-read that just now and it almost sounded like I thought that was a steal!) We skimmed the price tags on other trees, but they were all more or less the same. Then, as we were leaving, we saw a stash of smaller 2 and 3 foot trees leaning up against the fence. Perfect, we thought! But a couple standing nearby must have read our thoughts, because they hurried to grab the tallest, nicest looking one of the bunch. The other smaller trees were only $12.99... but they were so tiny that I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for one.

Then... lo & behold... a voice. "Hey, I know you." It was Zach Taylor, who attended high school with Jonathan & was also in the Missionary Training Center at the same time. They chatted while I took Keyan back to the car. Minutes later, I was surprised to see Jonathan walking towards us... holding a tree! He had seen one bundled up, without a price tag, so he had asked how much it would be. Zach said, "For you, Hoehne... 10 bucks." It was awesome. It's the most beautiful 3 1/2 foot tree I've ever beheld :)

I feel very blessed to have had that experience. Not because we got a tree out of it, but because I know that the Lord watches over us in even the smallest endeavors. A Christmas tree may be a small thing (literally, in this case)... but, to me, it is a symbol of the Lord's love for us- a love so much bigger than we can imagine.

Werner

Most of you know that my mother is from Germany. Well, recently we received news from a family member still living there. The thing is... we never knew he existed until a few weeks ago.

*Tante: Aunt
*Oma: Grandmother

My Tante Rosa (Oma's sister) had a son when she was younger.  But they were hard times, so she gave him up for adoption. No one ever knew! This son's name is Werner. Well, Werner is now about sixty years old; only recently did he discover who his birth mother was. But he could not find any information on the whereabouts of his mother- my Tante Rosa- so he got in touch with Rosa's other son, Dieter. Dieter told Werner that Rosa had already passed away, and so the identity of Werner's father died with her. But Werner has gained so much family since then! He has all of us, and we are so excited to learn about him... and he is so excited to learn about us. He recently wrote my Oma a 39-page letter telling her his life story. I can't wait to get a copy and have Jonathan translate it. Right now, all I know is that Werner is a theology professor.

Also, Werner has two sons: Johannes & Daniel. Johannes is in his 20's, and Daniel, I think, is about 20. They both speak & write English. I am so excited to have more cousins (however distant!) who are also close in age. This may seem like no big deal, but I have no cousins of my own. The only cousins I have ever known well are my cousin Kris & his wife Rachél. And technically, they too are my mom's cousins.

The other really neat thing is that Werner's family lives in Bayern, Germany. But Daniel is studying at the University in Munich. Well... some of you know that young men in our church serve two-year missions at the age of 19. Jonathan's younger brother just received his call. He is going to the Germany Munich/Austria mission. Geographically, his mission encompasses both Bayern and, of course, Munich. You just never know if he may come into contact with Werner & his family.

Learning about Werner has further confirmed to me the power of family ties. Here is a complete stranger who I have immediately embraced, simply by knowing that he is a member of my family. In family, there truly is created a bond that is easily formed, but not easily severed. I am grateful for that!

Joseph Bitner Wirthlin

I was shocked when I heard news this morning that one of the apostles of our church, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, had passed away last night.  

I love each of our church leaders... but I think that, for many reasons, we all tend to gravitate to certain ones.  Such was the case with Elder Wirthlin.  He was my favorite apostle.  As much as I loved President Hinckley, I do not think that I cried when he passed away.  But I cried for Elder Wirthlin today.  I will miss him.  But, happily, I know he is with his sweetheart again :)

I think we all had a soft spot for him, especially after his conference address last October. I will never forget when he started to shake, but unwavering, continuing onm knowing the significance of the message he was sharing.  Then, Elder Nelson approached.  He held and steadied Elder Wirthlin so that he could finish his talk. What love the Brethren have for one another!  

I mean no disrespect to any members of other denominations when I say that I have such a great love for this Church!  Though we are each empowered to receive personal revelation and know for ourselves how to act and know what is true, I am still grateful to be led by leaders who are prophets, seers, & revelators.  I truly believe that "the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).  I am grateful for each apostle who, like Elder Wirthlin, testifies of Christ daily and leads our Church by divine inspiration.