Have a REAL Merry Christmas

Mmmhmm, I love Christmas time. I mean what is there not to love? People have a reason to be nice to each other, families makes an effort to get together, and for once, people really focus on serving others. But lets be honest, as I have grown some of the "magic" has almost left. I mean I think some big shot store might try to copywrite the usage of the word Christmas. Everywhere we look, its more about making money, and less about the real reason of why we even celebrate Christmas. For me, Its been discouraging. It frustrates me when stores started opening Thanksgiving day to get that "90% off for the next thirty seconds" sale in. Where are the priorities? Looking back on the Christmases I have been apart of, I honestly don't remember what I received every year, but I DO remember when my family decided to do the "12 days of Christmas" for a family in my ward. I also remember when my uncle suggested we go feed the homeless on Christmas Eve, and how that changed my perspective on what mattered. As Christmas is approaching quickly this year, I was so glad for the annual devotional hosted by the first presidency. President Monson commented this year:

"I, with you, have witnessed during the past few days and weeks what has become over the years the annual commercialization of Christmas. I am saddened to see Christmas becoming less and less about Christ and more and more about marketing and sales, parties and presents.

And yet, Christmas is what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration. If we have not already done so, we can establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christmas."
I was talking to a friend this past week who works in retail. He has stated before, that working in retail has made him dread the holidays. However while I was talking  to him on this occasion, he said that he started feeling the Christmas spirit again as he was shopping and making presents for his younger brother. He commented that it made him excited to think about how his brother is going to  react on Christmas Eve. Another experience that recently happened that touched my heart: my younger sister is a member of the choir at Orem High School, and they are going to Disneyland this year to compete. The cost of the trip was out of the family budget, which was a disappointment to my sister. Tonight however, an anonymous
friend left a note at the doorstep saying that her trip to Disneyland was paid in full. I cannot imagine the sacrifice that this person went through in order to help my sister. I hope, and challenge you, that this Christmas, we can put CHRIST back into Christmas. I hope that we together can have charity and look for opportunities to serve one another, so we can remember how we felt GIVING instead of GETTING. I love this time of year, and am grateful for it. PLease take time and watch these clips: (copy and paste to open!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PFIam4QTcM&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXXwtFWpAI8http://youtu.be/RM8XoT7qnxY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM8XoT7qnxY

Who in the world is Heidi Corinne Dymock?

Hmm. What an interesting question. Who really knows who Heidi Corinne Dymock is, and what she is all about? Well.. I have blue eyes, and blonde hair.. My hair grows.. daily... I shower once a day. I  like talking... A LOT. Eating warm homemade bread makes my heart (and tummy) smile.. Disappointing people makes me sad. Validation is the  best gift anyone can give me..

So my next question is this: With so many people in the world (there is about seven billion and counting) How can I, Heidi Corinne Dymock, be remembered? How can I stand from the crowd? How can, with all the traffic, chaos, and noise, how can I be remembered and WHY am I being remembered by My Heavenly Father?

For those of you who are currently keeping up with my life, you know that I just recently moved back down from Oregon. I had been living there for the past two and a half years. It was awesome. I had my own amazing apartment, boyfriend, and I had been promoted at my job. Life was fine. It was just grand. I had no want to change anything. I was content. But, my life wasn't designed to be JUST content. I wasn't supposed to be where I was. My Heavenly father knew that, and so did I... deep down in my heart. You see, there is a big plan for us. Its very personal, but connected altogether. Whether we like it or not our plan may not always be the RIGHT plan. We may try to do our own little thing for a while but, when its time to get down to business, things fall into place. Let me give you a timeline:

October 15th ishh : Wake up from a nightmare, thought comes to mind: you need to move back to utah.
October 30th: Talk to a store manager from the bank I work at who was in my ward: asking how to transfer branches. Find out you can't "transfer" but you look to see if any locations are hiring, apply, get interviewed see if it'll work for you, and for the management. That night I see If any locations in the Utah County area are hiring, one in Provo is. Applied for the position.
November 4th: Hired on at the provo location, also find out they are able to match my previous pay.
(minimum wage in Utah is about a dollar less than in Oregon.. you do the math)
November 18th: Start date in Provo, Utah


Now I don't know about you.. but this wasn't in MY plan. I think I was being guided.. or pushed a little bit, don't you? :) There were even more experiences during that time, that made me understand more, that I am a Daughter of a LOVING Heavenly Father. He hears my prayers, even when there are seven billion people praying all the time. He still makes it known to me that He hears me. He loves me, and he will guide me to know what is the best thing for me.

I also had a very painful experience happen to me during this process. My boyfriend and I of two years and counting broke up. It hasn't been the easiest experience for me seeing that after all that time I kinda love him.. just a little bit at least.. See thats another thing about that Heidi Dymock girl, I have a big heart. and I am a cry baby. haha But  I am here to tell you, that if you trust in God, knowing that He has full control of your life, knowing that He will never lead you astray, you will be sustained. Especially in those hard times, where you wonder if you'll be able to smile even when you're feeling that deep heartache. Whatever it may be.

I know that we will never be forgotten. I know that He knows that I am Heidi Corinne, and that I love mac n cheese and hot chocolate. Or that I love chick flicks, or I get way into sports and sometimes have to remove myself so I will stop yelling at the ref's through the TV. I know that this is true! Thanks for letting me share it with you! :)