Christmas Matters 2025

 Christmastime, 2025

Dear Family and Friends,

I was not going to write a letter, BUT it is easier than writing a hundred handwritten notes! So, in the spirit of the holiday and the celebration of Christ’s birth, we send our testimonies, love, and a wish for joy to each of you. Jesus is always the answer!

There are 51 of us now, so I’m not giving a complete rundown! Steven and Alicia spend their time between California (where he works) and Herriman, UT. Their home is a gathering place because of their new, gorgeous pool. They are empty-nesters (unless swimming is on the agenda)!

Derek and Rebecca live in Yukon, Oklahoma. They have two girls at BYU, one in Colorado (with their two cute grandkids), and one in Oklahoma near them. Their baby Savanna got home from a mission in Panama this summer and announced her engagement last week.

Jill lives in our basement apartment and teaches fifth grade. She also plays the piano for Desert Star Theater. Her four grown children are out on their own (mostly). She has two very amazing grandsons and a traveling obsession.

Sean and Shawna moved to Lehi, Utah, from Tokyo this summer. They will be here for three years—just enough time to get their two youngest girls graduated from high school. They have a married daughter who lives in North Carolina, a son on a mission in Brazil, and a daughter at BYU studying cyber security and languages.

Donovan and Tiffani know how to have family fun. They are taking three of their children on a cruise next week. They also got a granddaughter this year! Summers are full of boating and camping—always sharing the fun with others!

Brady and Amanda live in Woods Cross, work hard, and are raising four amazing kiddos. They grow up so fast! Their baby moves to Young Women in January. Their lives are wrapped up in music and performance, those super littles, and using their talents to serve others.

Cameron is busy with two jobs, institute classes, and his third service mission— helping other special-needs people. He keeps us learning and growing every day.

We are blessed to be able to travel and see the world. Retirement is the best! We serve in the Taylorsville Temple. We have a big trip to SE Asia in April. Catch us on Facebook! We surely miss our old friends. Come see us sometime soon…

Much Love, Joy, and Gratefulness!

The Flanagans   

Testimony Matters 9.9.25

 Testimony Matters 09.09.2025

I have been thinking about why I believe, and I have come up with five good explanations of how and why I maintain my testimony:

1. I want to believe! My faith is the basis of my happiness! I felt it when I was a child, a teen, a young mother, a divorcee, an old mother and grandmother and great-grandmother. Where else would I go? Just as the Apostles asked Christ when He asked if they, too, would leave Him.

2. FOMO: I want to be with Jesus and the Father in the glorious eternal life I am promised. I want my family forever. I want to be where they are.

3. The Holy Ghost whispers it is true. As I attend and partake of the sacrament and learn the lessons and talks, I FEEL the Spirit. I do not miss meetings if I can help it. I listen to podcasts and search for the spiritual and temporal evidences. General Conference!

4. I read the scriptures and search for truth every day. I find it. There is no way that Joseph could have produced the Book of Mormon except through God’s divine initiative. I have read it probably a hundred times now. It is true, and if it is true, then it is all true.

5. I was taught of goodly parents. I love the traditions and culture of the Church. It is the happiest way to live. The Restored Church of Jesus Christ is the promise given from ancient times. The covenants I have made were promises that I intend to keep for eternity.

Oh, and one more: Risk Assessment. I heard someone explain (on COME BACK) that one big reason she came back to the Church was this: If it’s not true, what do I lose by believing and living it? Nothing! If it’s true, and I live it and believe it, what do I lose? Nothing! I get everything. If it’s true, and I reject the true gospel, what do I have to lose? Everything!

Harry Matters

 Harry Matters 1.21.25. We returned a few days ago (Thursday) from a short trip to the UK. For years Cameron has wanted to go to London to see where Harry Potter lived. I would say, “You know Harry Potter is make-believe, right?” “I know, Mom.” But I wondered if he really did know. After our Christmas present to him brought us to Warner Bros. Studios in Watford, England, I decided that Cameron surely DID know that Harry wasn’t real or alive, but it didn’t really matter. We all love the world of Harry and the magical story of good versus evil. We reread the books. We rewatched the movies. The studio tour did not disappoint! Seeing the sets, the clips, and the how-it’s-done, was pure fun. The trip was expensive, but worth it. Cam was not impressed with the sightseeing in London. We spent Wednesday in the London Temple, and it was sweet, peaceful, and spiritual.