Gladsome
Tidings and Random Writings from Meridian Readers
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
Chuckles
from the Past
Read Article Here
In
His Mother’s Arms, by Susan Law Corpany
Having
known Susan when she was a member at the Boynton Beach Ward, I
could hear her voice and her chuckles in my head while reading
this wonderful article. Thank you Susan for following your dreams,
for persevering, and for sharing your gifts with others! Merry
Christmas,
June Randall
Citrus
Park, Florida
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Meridian’s
Quick List for Book Lovers
Read Article Here
Last-Minute
Christmas Shopping List, b Jennie Hansen
I
always enjoy Jennie's recommendations. Her opinion on books closely
matches my own so I appreciate her guiding me in my buying choices
for literature. Thanks for having her do this.
Julie Wright
Oak
City, Utah
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Burning
Testimony
Read Article Here
Fire
on the Farm, by Scot Facer Procter
What
a powerful story and testimony. Thank you for sharing.
Carla Call
Provo,
Utah
**
Very
good, and a very nice perspective on tithing. I could have used this for the tithing talk in November. But, it's not
too late for the lesson on Malachi coming up.
Todd Lillywhite
Murray,
Utah
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Letters
to Santa
Read Article Here
Word
of Wisdom Helps Santa Lose Weight and Ana's Gift of Love to Santa,
by John Degel
I
am not the type of person to respond to requests for feedback
on articles but in the midst of the Christmas chaos here in Tasmania,
Australia, on a warm 28 degrees
Celsius day I couldn’t help but feel uplifted, moved and inspired
by the lovely articles I have just read by John Degal. What a
great man of character, love and compassion and I am thrilled
to know that he has embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ in his
life. To join the Church as an adult, to give up lifelong habits,
is truly inspirational — and then of course his work as a Santa
is fantastic.
I
thoroughly enjoy Meridian Magazine, I enjoy the many articles
that you provide and that help me to know there are people all
over the world striving to live the principles of the Gospel and
make the world a better place. I’m so grateful to live in these
days where the internet provides us with such wonderful resources.
Thanks
again and have a very happy Christmas.
Lindy Prebble
Tasmania, Australia
**
Well
Dear Santa Clause, aka John Degel,
Loved
your story. Happy
to hear of your success in the weight area.
Looks
like all you need to do is saddle up one of your reindeer and
join the Dr. Bridell posse for an even greater lifestyle — spiritually
and physically.
Will
look forward to your story of losing your next 80 lbs to be at
your desired goal weight.
Virginia Braley
Liberty
Lake, Washington
**
Wow!
What a special story! It shows what the real spirit of Christmas
should be: concern for others. That will be one I will remember
always.
Occasionally
you hear stories that occupy a special place in your heart. This
is one. Not a dry eye. On another note, I'm 60 years old and
remember my mother reading a story to us as children: "The
Day They Gave Babies Away." The story appeared in the Idaho
Farmer magazine in installments right before Christmas. The
story dealt with an oldest boy having to deliver his young brothers
and sister to other members of the community on Christmas Eve
to raise because they were without a dad and their mother had
just past away. Sad but heart-warming story.
Grant Nicholas
Lander, Wyoming
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Love
Within Reach
Read Article Here
Reaching
out to Others at Christmas, by C.S. Bezas
Thanks
for the article "Reaching out to Others
at Christmas" by C.S. Bezas. I think it is very important
to share this message especially at this time of year. My prayer
is that we will continue to reach out and share love all year.
You may be surprised of people who may need to feel friendship
or fellowship very often if at all, from our Brothers and Sisters.
There
is one paragraph though I would like to add my feelings about.
4- Adopt a Ward Member, Yes, I agree wholeheartedly! There are many lonely people
in our world. I believe there are many people praying for fellowship,
friendship, and love from anybody. They are very lonely. I hope
their prayers will be answered.
I
am an active Latter-day Saint and live hundreds of miles away
from my family. Because of circumstances beyond my control I can
not visit them very often and they can't come see me at all. It
is hard to feel all alone at times. Most people in my ward have
family and friends to do things with besides the church activities.
I am one of those very lonely people, of whom most people would
not know this. Sometimes it is hard for me to be a “social butterfly,”
being shy.
Thanks
for sharing this article. Gifts bought with money don't last forever.
But the greatest gift of Love is forever. Love is an action word.
Love is being a friend to all. Love is forgiving others. Love
is many more things. Love is the gift we need to show all year
long!
My
second husband is totally estranged from his family and has no
people to call a friend either. We both don't have family or friends
here.
I
feel like there are other people who may be going through the
same kind of things. That people — especially Latter-day Saints
— need to quit having our social cliques. We are of the family
of God. Let’s get to know more people and leave our comfort zones.
Just saying “Hi” and “How are you?” are OK, but are limited in
getting to know a person. Though I am shy, I try to talk to people
and find out more about them. I do have people I can talk to in
my ward, but to me they are only like an acquaintance. I don't
feel I have a true friend, to go out to movies, dining out, share
joys and sorrows with or visit (unless I am their visiting teacher
or doing a church calling).
I
also have chronic health problems and when people ask me how am
I doing? I hate saying "fine" when I am not and people
seem surprised when I say, "I am not feeling well today."
They seem like they don't want to know the truth. This really
hurts. How can we lift one another's burdens, if you don't care
to know or are too busy?
"Love
One Another, John 15:12" is my family’s motto after my
Dad passed away. He lived it every day of his life.
Name withheld by request
**** **** **** ****
Festivity
Confession
Read Article Here
Crèches and Carols — A St. Louis
Community Christmas Tradition, by Dana L. King, Meridian Correspondent
Well
done! Very well done, Sister King.
I
am embarrassed to recognize, that even though my wife contributed
three crèches for the exhibit and was a hostess, I was not as
supportive. And when the ice storm knocked the power out and
created travel problems throughout the Saint
Louis area, I thought what a shame after all that hard work.
Well, seems like my expectations, priorities, and commitment were
a little out of place.
Clyde Livingston
St.
Louis, Missouri
****
**** **** ****
Family
Gathering
Read Article Here
Turning the Hearts of the Parents to the Fathers"
by James W. Petty
The
article "Turning the Hearts of the Parents to the Fathers"
by James W. Petty was right on target and much appreciated.
When
my husband and I were first married, we blended two types of heritage.
His family has been in the Church for multiple generations, with
the earliest members converting to the Church in the 1830s and
1840s. These ancestors included some people born in the 1700s
who joined the Church in middle or old age.
As
for me, I converted to the Church as a young adult and have spent
years researching ancestors and submitting their information for
temple ordinances.
As
our children were born, it seemed to me that they needed to know
about their ancestors from both sides of the family. I discovered
that my husband and his siblings didn't know many details about
their heritage due to early deaths and divorces in the families.
We started gathering the information and it has been a wonderful
experience for us.
Many
times I shared stories about my husband's ancestors with my children
— even when my husband wasn't there. Over the years I have grown
to love these wonderful pioneer ancestors and their various descendants.
I believe they know I care about them and that I want to learn
about their lives. I have rejoiced to read their memoirs of their
lives and their testimonies of the gospel. Many of them made enormous
sacrifices to remain faithful in the Church.
Not
many temple ordinances are needed for them but I believe turning
our hearts has more to do with love. Our hearts should turn to
our ancestors — even though their temple ordinances are already
completed.
Knowing
about my husband's ancestry has strengthened our marriage and
increased my love for him. I understand a lot about my husband
because I know about these ancestral families.
Meanwhile,
my husband has sacrificed a great deal to assist me with my own
pursuit of the elusive ancestor. He has faithfully supported me
in callings, research trips, financial support, and in other ways,
just so I could gather the records for my own ancestors. He has
also completed temple ordinances for many of these ancestors.
We especially enjoy sealing sessions where we organize these family
members into eternal units. We have seen miracles occur as we
have researched and submitted these individuals and families for
temple ordinances.
My
gratitude for my husband has grown over the years because he was
willing to help me keep the commandments and redeem my dead ancestors.
When
I eventually go to that great family reunion in the spirit world,
I want to recognize not only my ancestors but also the ancestors
of my husband.
There
are great blessings in family history and temple work which have
nothing to do with reading microfilms or printing out family file
cards.
Keep
up the good work, Br. Petty! Your articles provide a great resource
for all of us.
Mary Scott
Novi,
Michigan
