Families are Forever!

What fun we had with our family tonight at our annual White Elephant party.  Instead of trying to get Tyler out, we came to the rehabilitation center to celebrate.  Tyler's funniest gift was "All my friends are dead" with a picture of a dinosaur on the front.  He read us part of the book and we laughed very hard!  We also had a dancing reindeer hat; mullet; cat lady game; unicorn meat, Harry Potter beans, fish training set, mind control spray and so much more.  Families are truly a gift from our Heavenly Father; we laugh and cry together and support each other through our successes and trials. Every time I think about my family, I think about the Proclamation to the Family published by the First Presidency.
"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

Doctors have taken Tyler off percocet to reduce the risk of addiction.  Because of this change, Tyler has been in more pain the last couple of days.  His little brother Josh has been reading to him to take his mind off it.  

Every morning, John gives his own version of a Christmas "Light Show" to Tyler.  Tyler LOVES this so much :-).  

Someone from their home ward made an incredible gingerbread house for Tyler.  

I have said it so many times, but it is incredible to witness all the compassionate service being rendered in Tyler's behalf.  “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it,” the Savior taught, “but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).
 President Thomas S. Monson said: “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”  This Christmas season has been filled with the Spirit of Christ.  Christ wrought many miracles and went about doing good to those that others might have deemed unworthy or lowly.  Likewise, Christ has invited us to follow his example.  We are admonished to give of ourselves to lighten loads, to mourn with those that mourn and to lift our fellow men.  Time and energy is finite and service is seldom convenient and yet I have seen an abundance of service being given during this, the busiest time of year.  This truly is what Christmas is about.  

We are looking forward to the Benefit Concert tomorrow evening!