From Bro & Sis Baum:

Dear Elders and Sisters:

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!  We went to 6^th Ward today because YSA Ward had their stake conference.  Sister Tolman told how Shondie worked at a specialized baby store and was starting to feel anxious about how on earth she was ever going to provide all the “best” things for her newborn.  As she was pondering one day, this message came into her mind:  “I was born in a manger.” 

Jennica had a “hiccouph” in her testimony which was starting to bother her, especially since she was a return missionary.  She thought, “What am I doing to solve this?” so she started listening to a conference talk every day.  She felt many of the words were given directly to her and she bore powerful testimony of modern revelation, the temple, and Christ’s ability to heal a broken heart. 

Steve Arnold (just called as Stk YM Pres) said God will not forsake us during the heat of a purification process, because, like a refiner of gold or silver, He cannot look away for a second--the temperature has to be carefully controlled.

He also said “Since microtrauma is necessary to build muscle, we don’t need to let microtrauma break the whole muscle” (meaning we don’t need to let trials break our testimonies).  And “Don’t tempt a tornado (sin).  Always run for cover.”

Tiffany Tullis told us “Remember:  Christ is family.”  Aren’t we all so grateful for His Atonement?