Steam Train
"I'm a steam train, big and tough,
Riding steel rails, hear me chuff;
Running on my railroad track,
Smoke is steaming from my stack.

Down the line my big wheels roll,
Engineer puts in the coal,
In my boiler, water's poured,
"TWOOT" the driver pulls the cord.

Every trip my friends are new,
People wave when I come through;
Always happy, never gruff.
Up the hills I huff and puff.

Clickety-clack the wheels all sing,
Part of history, I'm the King; 
Cross the land from east to west,
Want to ride? Well, be my guest!

Nice clean carriages, painted new,
Hear me whistle, just for you;
Buy your ticket, climb inside,
Let's go for a steam train ride!"

Graeme King
 

Arbuckle California Train Station Model
Elijah is building a model of his hometown's train station for the second time.  The first time he built a model for himself and his family.  Now he is building a model for Grandma and Grandpa Masters' train room in Utah!

This new addition will be the most prized and meaningful of all the items in Grandpa's Train Room because it was made by our grandson, Elijah Rodriguez.  Thank you, Elijah. 
We're so appreciative.

The Efforts Of Elijah Rodriguez In Building A Model Of The Arbuckle Train Station For Our Springville Utah Train Room

The Work Of Christmas
"When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
     To find the lost,
     To heal the broken,
     To feed the hungry,
     To release the prisoner,
     To rebuild the nations,
     To bring peace among brothers,
     To make music in the heart."

Howard Thurman

 

Reminds One Of The Star Of Bethlehem, Doesn't It?  But, Then Again, It Isn't Night Time And It Isn't A Star After All!

A Christmas "Good bye" To Our Idaho Nampa Mission      Christmas Day 2014

Have A Holly, Jolly Christmas; It's The Best Time Of The Year!

In The Lane, Snow Is Glistening

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
"You better watch out, you better not cry,
You better not pout.  I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town! "

Santa and Mrs. Claus  Council Ward   December 19, 2014

40th Wedding Anniversary
How could it be forty years since we were married in the Relief Society Room of an LDS Meetinghouse in Reno, Nevada?  Is it really forty years since we spent our honeymoon visiting Norm's brother, Bob, and his family in Casper, Wyoming?  Is it really forty years since we started our married life at 2223 E Street Apt. A in Sacramento, California?

Our very first meal together as husband and wife was at an Italian restaurant and it so happened that our 40th anniversary was also Italian!  How yummy the spaghetti and meatballs tasted at Largo's in McCall, Idaho!

The words from our American Greeting  anniversary card expresses our sentiments perfectly.

"I couldn't have known when we first met
That everything in my life before then had been leading to you...

But looking back, I realize that every decision led me to just the right turn,
And that every road, taken or not, brought me one step closer
To you and the love we share...

Today, I know for sure that when our paths came together
And we found one another, it was really only the beginning
Of the most beautiful journey of all -
The journey of two hearts that beat as one."

 

Elder Norm and Sister Christine Masters  40th Wedding Anniversary  December 20, 2014

#ShareTheGift

Christmas is just around the corner!  People are out buying gifts for their families, friends and for those who are needy.  These gifts provide joy to those who give them and happiness to those who receive them.  They demonstrate our love for those for whom we buy the gifts.

However, there is a greater Gift, one that cannot be purchased in stores or on-line.

It is the greatest Gift ever.  The Gift from God to us – His Son Jesus Christ.  We commemorate His birth this month.

Christmas!  What a wonderful time for celebration!  Christ was born, lived, taught, performed miracles, sacrificed, atoned, died and was resurrected for us-all in the name of God, our Heavenly Father.  Without Him we would be lost.  With Him we can have everlasting life.  “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” (John 3:16 KJV).

I recommend to you three video clips to put the Christmas season into perspective.  They may be seen at the following Web sites:

1)       The first may be seen at christmas.mormon.org and is entitled, He is the gift

The other two videos may be seen at biblevideos.org, clicking on View All, and scrolling down to:

2)       The Nativity (Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-19: Matthew 1:20-21), and

3)       Glad Tidings of Great Joy: The Birth of Jesus Christ

I hope you find these messages to be spiritual and uplifting.  If you would like to share the Utube video clip He is the gift with friends through social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., you may do so with the hashtag, #ShareTheGift.

 May your Christmas be wonderful this year.  Enjoy the season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Elder Norm Masters, Full-Time Missionary

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

News Reporter  Cambridge Idaho  December 2014

An Old Christmas Card

Many years ago, I heard a Christmas song, sung by Jim Reeves and entitled An Old Christmas Card, that captured my heart in an instant. It brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye then as it has every year since.  With narration and song, it tells the remembered story of the dedicated love behind the careful choice of a Christmas card for one dearly cherished individual.

Why does this story of pure, intense love bring such strong emotions each and every year? It is because the love of God Our Father is the most powerful force in the universe. The greatest witness of love I am privileged to bear is the witness,

“God is love”.

Because of Our Father’s love for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ came into this world over two thousand years ago.  His was a sinless life of teaching about His Father and of exactly obeying  His Father’s will.  He taught us to pray, to ponder the scriptures, and to keep the commandments.  He healed spiritually by forgiving sins.  Physical healing took place through miracles of the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, and the dead being raised to life.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

This Christmas as you carefully choose that special Christmas card and gift for a dear one, cherish and wrap around your heart the intensity of the love you feel.  It  is a reflection of the love Our Father has for each one of us in giving us the gift of His Son.

“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.”  John 3:16

Sister Christine Masters    Full Time Missionary

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
News Reporter Cambridge Idaho December 2014 

 christmas.mormon.org

Diego, Rebecca, Elijah, Nicholas, Timothy Rodriguez Old Sacramento California 2014

The Bell Still Rings For Me
Jim, Lana, Sam and Rachel Masters  rode the Polar Express  this past Wednesday evening.
This, in and of itself, was a unique experience, but to top it off, they have a ticket to visit the Sacramento California Train Museum during the holidays! 

We sure  love trains - especially Grandpa Masters who can remember the big steam engines he so admired as a young boy.

This Christmas Season is a great time to exercise and remember our faith.
Many of us, especially Grandma Masters, get a bit "choked up" when we read the very last line of Chris Van Allsburg's book, The Polar Express.


"At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them.  Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound.
Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

Let's be one of those blessed individuals who can still "hear the bell" and "who truly believe."

Off To The North Pole We Go!   Sam And Rachel Masters

As The Years Go By, Remember To Always Have Faith And BELIEVE!

How Lovely Are Thy Branches
Now is the time to head out and choose the very best looking, picture perfect pine Christmas tree! 
And then comes the best part of all -decorating it with loads of colorful ornaments!

Christmas Tree 2014      Matthew, Janae, Ryan, Brandon, and Kevin

Is Christmas Tree Shopping A Great Thing Of What?

Celebrate The Season!    Matthew, Ryan, Brandon, and Kevin Masters

Council Welcomes The Wald Family
Monalisa, Dave, Thomas, Catherine, and Tessa came to visit the weekend after Thanksgiving.
What a great post Thanksgiving time we had!
We ate and drank up a storm of goodies.
S'mores, lemon bread, blueberry bread, hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.  Yum!

Thomas And Catherine Wald Right Before Church   Council, Idaho  November 2014

Grandpa Masters With Monalisa, Tessa, Thomas, and Catherine at Fred Myers in Meridian, Idaho

Star Of Wonder
Sarah is topping the Masters Christmas tree with a beautiful gold star and welcoming in the Christmas Season!  Christmas traditions are special because we have the opportunity to  give love, not only to our family, but to those around us who need comfort and peace. 
Isn't it wonderful to spread cheer, not only at Christmastime, but all year long?

"O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light."

Sarah Masters Heralding In The Christmas Season With A Little Help From Dad!

A Mural To Remember
Elijah and his friend, Mari, as members of the Pierce High School Art Club, painted a tree mural for  the office of  Superintendent of the Pierce Joint United School District, Mrs. Geyer!
Notice their signatures at the base of the tree.
What a great memory to treasure.  Way to go, Elijah!

Elijah Rodriguez And His Friend Mari After Painting Their Mural   November 2014

The Thrift Store Bible

Sister Christine Masters, Full Time Missionary

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

While browsing in a thrift store recently, I was excited to find and purchase a  Bible published in 1905.  However, little was I prepared for the soul- stirring poem by John Greenleaf Whittier that was hidden in the Bible’s pages.

The poem spoke to my heart of Our Savior’s sacrifice for each one of us which was necessary to atone for the sins of the entire human family.   The poem also spoke of the Holy Spirit witnessing to me of the love of my Heavenly Father.

“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.”  John 3:16 KJV

“And what if my feet may not tread where He stood

Nor my eyes see the cross which He bowed Him to bear.

Nor my knees press Gethsemane’s garden of prayer.

Loved of the Father, The Spirit is near

To the meek, and the lowly, and penitent here.

Oh, the outward hath gone: but in glory and power.

The Spirit surviveth the things of an hour;

Unchanged, undecaying, its Pentecost flame

On the heart’s secret altar is burning the same.”

The Atonement of Jesus Christ, which began in the Garden of Gethsemane and culminated on the cross, is the greatest evidence of divine love that this world has ever known.  Only through the grace of Jesus Christ are the blessings of Christ’s Atonement available.  “There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.”

2 Nephi 2:8

Our Father in Heaven invites all of us to come unto Christ and  partake of His salvation and the power of His redemption. Our Father has taught us to have faith in Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins, to be baptized, to received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, to keep all the ten commandments, to render continual service to others, and to endure to the end.

The words of a beloved hymn come to my mind when pondering the profound gratitude I humbly have for the atoning sacrifice of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

“I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified.

That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled, and died.”

What more appropriate time of year than this season of Thanks to express gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the victory over sin and death made possible for us through the Atonement of His Son?

Sometimes spiritual insights happen in the strangest places.  In my case, a poem in a Thrift Store Bible witnessed to me once again, through the Holy Spirit, of the amazing grace of my Savior Jesus Christ through which I can be saved.