Thursday, November 28, 2013

The Santa Clause Debate


St. Nicholas was just a man, but he was a man with a mission.  Born in the third century, he grew up to be an intensely kind-hearted man who was especially devoted to children’s issues and helping the poor. He was a Greek Bishop who defied the established Church in order to go out among the ‘unwashed masses’ and live his life as the ‘heart and hands of Jesus.’ While many miracles and legends about him evolved through the centuries, his penchant for leaving secret gifts is the one that captured the hearts and imaginations of people world-wide, leading to the present-day legend of Santa Claus.
I, like many new parents, struggled with the idea of perpetuating a ‘false belief’ and thus undermining my children’s trust. But then I turned to the Bible and saw how Jesus, who spoke absolute truth always, often spoke that truth in stories. He knew something about people’s hearts that I needed to learn as a young parent. He knew that the human mind is logic, analysis, reason, and that the human heart is imagination, creativity, and love. He knew that sometimes you have to bypass people’s minds and speak straight to their hearts, those well-springs of wonder, for true understanding to occur and that often the deepest truths are the ones that are too big for the human mind to receive and can only be grasped by the heart.
When it comes to the breathtaking gift of the Christ-Child, the Eternal Creator born of a woman, God Himself wrapped in swaddling clothes, the I AM in a manger, what better way to share such an absurd and immense truth than Jesus’ way…with a story? How else would my little ones be able to grasp the concept of such a gift? How would they embrace the wonder? How could I possibly break down the impossible into a pedantic lecture? Would the improbable make more sense in a dissertation?
And so I chose the way of the parable. I embraced Christmas in all its glory, decorated and baked and shower my loved ones with gifts, all while sharing the story of the birth of a Baby. Woven through every event, every tradition, every memorable moment of our family’s Christmas, is the celebration of the wondrous gift of a Savior. We watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and all the other fun Christmas shows together. We read bedtime stories about Christmas elves and magical toys and talking animals. And when my children ask me if Santa really exists, I will always tell them yes, because it’s true. Every parent who carries on St. Nicholas’ tradition of leaving secret gifts, of being the heart and hands of Jesus, of sharing the wonder, excitement, and glory of the most extraordinary Gift ever given to mankind, every one of us is Santa Claus.
I believe in Santa Claus because I am Santa Claus…and you are, too

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Happy December!


So Happy Christmas everyone! Just watched our first xmas movie tonight and I love the humor in the film "Holiday in Handcuffs". There was a scene where Melissa Joan Hart says, "There is no perfect family,perfect job, perfect life, but there is such a thing as a perfect moment. Sometimes we all get a little crazy but that is ok, because it is the crazy that can make us happy!" I totally agree so in this holiday be safe and remember this piece of advice and cherish those moments that mean the most. Happy Holidays from The Rawls Family!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday Night.....




(The following events are true and just occurred to me last night!)
So this is it, the one that toppled them all, some think it is crazy and honestly you have to agree with them. Once a year people leave the comforts of home to shop for those they love during the holidays. The dreaded Black Friday! I said I would never do it but I did. The deal was just too tempting, I mean $298 for a Hp Desktop. It just couldn't get any better than that. I waited for two hours by the crates that held the prize while the masses continued to gather closer and closer to their printers, kinects, and flash drives. Midnight it would be mine. The minutes drew on and everyone around you is making polite conversation but secretly they all are thinking, "I'm going to take you down, that item is MINE!" You think that is scary, police begin to arrive because there has already been two fights and you start to wonder "Is this worth my life???" Well the time arrived and all of the sudden a rush of adrenaline hits you like a brick and you grab the long awaited item, in your hand you rush to the customer service desk knowing that you will get out faster than the long line around you. As you leave you still shake and say "I am never going to do this again!" Sound familiar? I tell you it is crazy and really not worth it, no matter the deal. Remember this story and be safe and have a Happy Christmas!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-reasons-skip-black-friday-164603988.html

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Christmas Decorating & Disney College Program


Well, many of you will think that this is sick but we decided to put up the Christmas tree today. BUT.......Before you you put us on trial and hang us we had to because we will be so busy the rest of the semester since this is the only break we will have till graduation. We had a lot of fun, this year we have a seven and half foot tree. Lets just say we had to bend it down a bit to fit it in the house. Alex was so excited and kept saying "Christmas!", "Christmas!". It was really cute to watch him. He is truly his mother's son when it comes to this holiday. We also have been baking pies and prepping for Thanksgiving tomorrow. The house smells good and it definitely is starting to feel like the holidays. We only have three days off this week from school till the last long haul but it feels so good to not worry about class and such. I do have some homework to this week but that is OK! In other news I am getting excited for my internship to Disney. I am posting a couple of videos to give some people an idea for the program. I have been asked by several people why I am doing this? Well number one, duh! It is and opportunity to work and gain experience with the Disney company. I will be working at Walt Disney World earning good money, going to special classes offered by the Disney University and the best part is I get free entrance and discounts while doing it.( THE LAST PART IS JUST A PERK). But if you wanna know more just go to this website: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/
Well till later- Blake :-)







Tuesday, November 22, 2011

You shall not pass.......


SO have you guys ever wondered if your professors ever got together and planned all of their tests to be at the same time? If I wasn't convinced before I am converted now! I just had to take three major exams in two days. I thought that my professors were Gandalf at the bridge where the Balrog resides saying...."YOU SHALL NOT PASS", me saying "but i need to pass". I often think about my times in school and think what is the purpose of all this??? ARE THESE TESTS REALLY MAKING ME A BETTER PERSON? Well I know it sounds cynical but I guess it is not that bad. School has taught me a lot and I am grateful for that. I just wish that I would be able not drive my self to the edge every time I think the next test around the corner is going to plummet me to my doom. I am sure that I am not the only one feeling this way. Well this is my rant for today but thanks again for reading this blunder for words. Remember I love my education I just don't love what it does to my brain sometimes.

Monday, November 21, 2011

MONDAY...


So here is the often dreaded Monday. I don't know who gave Mondays such a dreaded bad name. I have often had many good Mondays. I woke up today having to take my Exercise Phys. test, Go to work to find out that work was canceled today, and come home to find myself still studying for two other tests. Ok so maybe I see why Mondays get a bad rap sheet. But I am grateful for my life, I have my wife and son who are both healthy, we have a roof over our head and clothes on our back. That at least is something to be grateful for. So have a Happy Thanksgiving week and remember that everyday is sometimes a Monday, but that is ok :-)~ Blake

How long ago was that?????

Some not all the pics from the mission.....


CHILE!





So I was looking at some old pictures from my mission and I can't believe how time has flown by, here are some of the pics from the mish...for record keeping sake.... (The pic to right I think was hilarious) I always closed my eyes in pictures.

So this is from the first day I arrived at the Mission Home in Santiago Chile. My Companion was Elder Rios. You can't tell but I was extremely nervous.

This pic was when I was having a P-day in Los Andes, I had lost alot of weight back then from Venezuela. I think I freaked my parents out with this picture. Trust me though I was healthy. LOL



This was my last Christmas on the mish and we spent Christmas eve with one of my converts Lissette. We were teaching her family and we enjoyed the spirit they brought that year.





These are some of the few pics I have from Venezuela.

I have no idea what is up with my face here......?