Thought from Ray
Ray posted this on his family website today, I thought I would share it will all of you. I really like it. Merry Christmas!
Ray's Chrismtas Pondering
I am grateful for Christmas music and all it does to rimind me of the reason for the season. As I hear the Christmas songs I am very often touched to chills or even close to tears. I don't usually actually cry mind you, first because I don't want people to know just what a boob I really am, and secondly with all the tears coming from the pregnant woman in our house who cries over everything even bordering on sentimental, I'm afraid that one more tear might drown us all. I wish I could have those experiences I get from Christmas music all year round. I truely am grateful for Christmas music.
Today I sang and then reread the words of one of my favorite Christmas songs (I heard the bells on Christmas day). I don't know exactly why that song touches me so, and so I began to ponder why it tugs at my heart. You know the story the song tells, of someone who hears the bells playing carols that speak of peace on earth and good will to men. Thinking of how that message had rolled forward unbroken throughout the years, he bows his head disparing that hate and strife on earth seem to have drown out and even mock the idea of peace on earth and good will. But the bells pealed more loud and deep that God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail the right prevail. There will be peace on earth and good will to men.
As I pondered the words and message of the song I came up with a few possible reasons that this song is so important to me:
1) It is easy for me to dispair, when I see all the flaws that I myself and the world in general are afflicted with, that there can be no peace or good will, for these problems seem unsurmountable and unconquerable. However the certainty with which I hear the bells in my mind's eye testifying of the good tidings of great joy for all people instills in me a feeling of hope as if I had been there in the fields myself in the front row for the angelic concert and had personal witness that he came to save me and us all (Luke 2:8-14). He did not start something that he couldn't finish, in fact "..the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught." (D&C 3:1) and that even though I may be to weak he is not, and although I may not be able to conquer all, he can. When I hear Christmas bells I hear the angels in that first musical declaration of hope and I can't help but believe.The Fifth verse is of particular interest to me. I am not sure what the author (Mr. Longfellow) had in mind. For he states that the world revolved from night to day as that song of hope that started in a shepherd's field was ringing and singing all the way. I'm not sure if he meant that Christmas day passed and it was a new day, or if he meant metaphorically that the darkness of the world and that within ourselves can revolve to become light. This tranformation of night to day seems to be connected with what Henry (Mr. Longfellow) calls a voice, a chime, a chant sublime that declare the song of peace on earth good will to men.In pondering how amazing it is that a voice, chime or chant could have such a dramatic impact on a dark world, a couple of other thought patterns passed through my head.
2) The power of a voice to change the world:
a) One of the definitions of Voice is an instrument or medium of expression. (John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.") So the instrument or medium of expression of Gods love for us was the first Christmas gift the very son of God.
b) Another definintion of a voice is someone who speaks for another. (John 14:10 - .. the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dewlleth in me..). Maybe Henry was bearing testimony that THE VOICE even the babe born in a manger really does have the power to overcome all darkness. He can and will change the night to day both figuratively and physically.
3) How to Chime into the Chant:
a) Another deffiintion of voice, as in to speak with one voice, is to be without dissent, and unanimous. A definition of chime is to combine harmoniously and act in accord. The word chant comes from the Latin cantare - to sing. Chant has reference to people joining together to celebrate and praise. Maybe the idea is that when we chime into the song or chant, and learn to follow the Voice's example of love and harmony we start to become a medium of expression of his love to others as he was of the father to us. Maybe what Henry meant is that "by small means the Lord can bring about great things. (- 1 Nephi 16:29). When we strengthen families and do what we can to further harmony and love, maybe the darkness and daunting ills of the world will loose the fight and revolve to light overcome by an influence that started inauspiciously as A Voice that tought us to chime the chant sublime of peace on earth and good will to men!I'm not sure why it touches me so, but I am very, very grateful for Christmas music and that unbroken song first sung in the fields near Bethlehem that this time of year gives me hope of peace and good will to men.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
They drove Trucks!
Rocked with Grandpa Rick on Lucy Tug Boat
Fly airplanes around in circles.
Took pictures with Snoopy.Thursday, November 15, 2007
Kindra has always loved playing soccer, but his year she really excelled. Her favorite position to play was defence. When I asked her why she did not want to play on the offence and score a goal for her team she said "If I am not on defence then the other team will score on us". I am proud to say that there were not very many time in the whole season that the other team scored while Kindra was on defence.Kindra would run and run and run to get the ball. She did let that ball get by her. I am so proud at how well she plays soccer.
Dress Up Audrey
It seams like every time I turn around Audrey is asking me to help her change her dress. She loves the put on different dress and dance around the house. Her new thing is that she think that she can do her own hair. I will have to get pictures and blog them it is really funny.Thursday, November 01, 2007
After school we carved the pumpkins. Kindra did a great joy doing her carving all by herself.
Our Little Snow White did not want to get her picture taken.
It is hard to believe that it has taken 8 year for Kindra to decided to be a dog for Halloween.
Our Pumpkins
Kindra, Mom's and Audreys
My is the speical Walmart version.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The other night Kindra helped Audrey get ready for bed. This what I got! I love how much fun they have together.
After we took off the wings and stuff Kindra read Audrey her bed time stories.
Kindra ran in the 1 Mile kids run at the Long Beach Marathon.
She finished the run in under 10 minutes and was not even tired.
Kindra is very proud of her metal that she received as she cross the finished line.All the participants in the days events got a free admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Kindra and I got to spend a few hours with the fish. Her favorite part was toughing the brown sting rays.
I loved the tropical fish!
It was a fun day for all.Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Kindra came home from school today wearing a fireman hat. This is what she did today in her words. I went to the fire station and was lead by one of the 5 chiefs. We went inside a real trailer that taught her about fire. There was fake fire in a pot and a trash can, then they turned out fake smoke and taught the kids how to crawl and feel the door and then they crawled out the window and down a ladder. I got to spray water with a real fireman’s hose; the fireman showed us how to use the hose. While they were at the firehouse a real fire started somewhere else and they got to watch the two firemen leave. I got to learn safety things like STOP DROP & ROLL. We got to look at the outside of the fire truck and the inside. We got to see a fireman on top of a ladder spraying a hose. The ladder turned and turned. We got a tour of the firehouse and seeing the bedrooms, kitchen, gym, TV room, their fish and more. We got back at school at lunchtime, did our math and social studies, got our hats, and homework, got backpack and went home. It was a fantastic day.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Audrey and I are enjoying out time while Kindra is in school.
Play groups at the park always turn into an adventure. We needed to wash off this kids hands from the mud.
A huge water play group started.
The kids all had a great time, and I love taking picture of the whole thing.
Audrey's new favorite sport.
At the base boweling ally they put up gutter walls and a ramp for the kids. It makes it so that Audrey can do it herself. Boweling is free on Monday's from 11-1. Fun Stuff
I am really enjoying this time with Audrey. She has such a cute little personality. I feel so lucky to have such cute girls.Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Audrey's First Day at Ballet
It was so much fun watching the 3 & 4 year old girls at Audrey's dance class on Monday. Audrey was so exicted and she did an amazing job. The teacher told me she is a natural. Is guess the future will see.
Monday, August 27, 2007
I can't believe it, summer is over. I am not sure if I should jump for joy or cry. This summer has been crazy. Kindra started 2nd grade today. It is hard for me to believe that she is that old. My little girl is growing up so fast that I think it is almost scary. Kindra is such an amazing girl. She loves to make people happy and is always trying to please me. We have found a book series that she loves to read (The magic tree house). Another big HEY!!!! I did not need to take Kindra school shopping, because she had enough with what I had purchased on sale earlier. When I asked her if she felt bad she said, "I don't care what I wear to school as long as it is conferrable". I only hope and pray that this stage will last as long as possible. I feel so luck to have such an amazing daughter.When we dropped Kindra off at school and started back home today Audrey started crying. I asked her what she wanted to do today she said, "Play with my best friend Kindra". I have been praying for years that my too girls would be friends, I think that it might be happening. The biggest HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! of all. Audrey was sad all day I spent most of my day playing with her instead of doing my household jobs. When it was time to go get Kindra her face lighted up and her smile returned.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Thank all of you for such a amazing time. We sure love our family.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
We managed to find a little spot all to ourselves to relax and play in the waterfall.
Audrey took time to cuddle with Ray, amazing we thought so to.
The whole canyon was full of waterfalls. I guess that is why they call it big falls trail.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Life has been so busy the last few weeks. Here are so snap shots of what has happened with us. 
Yard work and play time with the girls and bubbles.
Audrey opening her gift from Grandma Ruckman
Tanya at girls camp.
Audrey 3rd Birthday Party was so much fun she invited her three best friends and they danced like princesses and they found treasure. The funnest part was watching them play together.
Audrey loved her cake. I was going to make a princess cake, but the week was way to crazy and busy so the cake had to go. Audrey loved eating the flowers and icing.
These pictures are so funny. We played a version on hot potato with an poison apple (from Snow White), the funny was when they would get caught with the apple the would go to sleep like Snow White. The girls all wanted to go to sleep, the game did not work out how I planned. However it was their favorite part of the party.
Kindra was really exicted about attending soccer camp this summer. She enjoyed her coach from Wells. She went everymorning the first week of summer vacation from 8-11:30.
The practice hard and learned alot from her coaches.
The last day of camp ended in a hug water fight.
What a fun week.
The girls got a small spy glass to look at everything. It was so much fun to watch them and what they took time to look at.
We had to get a picture with the big bear.
Ray and the girls in front of the largest lodge pole pine tree in the US. 
We stoped at the LDS Girls camp, the girls found a old play house to play in. Mom spent the time looking around trying to figure out how things were going to work.
