A Chinese Christmas Carol Weekend

This is my annual Christmas Carol weekend.  (Tradition this year and last.)  There are over forty versions of "A Christmas Carol" and so I am doing my best to watch a lot of them, and then offer my critique in my Movies, Music and Books blog.  http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/
I have been watching many different versions of "A Christmas Carol" on Netflix, YouTube etc.  I have seen a play and a musical.  I have watched several different short animated cartoons, some better than others.  My most pleasant surprise was "A Christmas Carol: A New Musical, which is available on You Tube.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHi7k_lba-w&list=HL1384670239

The other thing about this weekend was I ate out at two different Chinese restaurants.  After previously having sworn off Panda Express,  Miranda and I went there, and I enjoyed it.  They still don't have sweet and sour, but what they have is good.  I had a chicken and a shrimp dish with fried rice.  The rice was rather bland and starchy, but the main courses were very good.  They charged an extra dollar for shrimp for some reason.
We went to New China restaurant last night for take out.  This time we got sweet and sour pork and almond chicken.  Both dishes were very good.  Part of the reason for going there was to get fortune cookies for a Tony.   He didn't go with us Friday as he was at school for movie night, Monsters U.  Sheri who went with Tony was also feeling left out.  Back to New China, it was very good. We had to wait a bit, but we pigged out on Chinese both Saturday, and left overs Sunday.

Joseph Smith: The Prophet

http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/11/joseph-smith-prophet-of-restoration.html 

Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.  I feel this in every fiber of my body.  I marvel that since I feel this so strongly, that others cannot feel it through the same spirit.  I know that in studying the Book of Mormon, the Spirit of that book testifies of Joseph’s call to be a Prophet.

It is so important that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, for through him the Gospel, and the priesthood keys have been restored.  We have all the pieces of the gospel necessary to salvation, not part of the Gospel which may have trickled down through a world which had gone through apostasy, but the entire gospel has been restored.  I accept Joseph Smith as a prophet of God.  I do not worship him as a god, but I revere  him as a prophet and marvel at the things he endured to bring about the restoration.

Holiday Gift from Piano Guys and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Piano Guys O Come Emmanuel

Only 40 days to Christmas, and I plan on sharing something Christmasy every day until then.  As I listen to the music, and watch the scenes of Jesus' birth and life, I am overwhelmed by his love for me.  Just as he helps up the woman caught in sin, and then touches her, so too he helps me up as I am caught in sin, and imperfection every day.  But then he touches my heart.  This short brings tears to my eyes.  I love the Savior.

A Christmas Gift from the Missionaries.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-12-02-a-light-unto-all-a-christmas-gift?category=topics/christmas

This is beautiful.  it shows the birth of Jesus, and gives testimony of missionaries from all over the world, testifying of his birth, and of his glory, that only through him may we return to Heavenly Father.  This is from LDS.org where I have noted there are fifty Christmas selections.  I love Christmas, and I love the Savior, so this gives me something to do on the train.  I intend to watch them all, and likely write a little something about them, except for those that are recorded songs.
This is the first I watched, and it is something special.  The testimonies of missionaries are sweet.  My son is also serving a mission.  I am sure he would add his testimony.  I will add mine as he is not available.  Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  He is the reason for Christmas.  I love Him and pledge my heart to Him.

Member Missionary 7: Motivational Video

http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/11/church-history-video-ensign-to-nations.html
There is nothing like seeing the growth of the Church to get you excited about missionary work.  The film "An Ensign to the Nations" does just this.  It shares several different examples of missionary success stories, and the Lord preparing people and nations to receive the gospel.  It shows the gospel being preached by missionaries, by members, and by those not yet members.  She shows the growth of the church in every continent.
The movie concludes with a stirring rendition of "A Marvelous Work is about to Begin."  This includes showing many different temples, and also different groups singing the song including missionaries, young people, at the Hawaii Temple and at the Argentine Temple.  The movie is very effective and sets the tone for wanting to do more.  It was produced in 1997, and since this time the church has seen considerable growth. 
It was made for TV by the church in 1997, and is very inspiring.