Spring Delights

            Each spring I look forward to certain events that bring me comfort and hope. One is the return of more daylight. In March, for several days, the light streams through the window in my door and illuminates my painting on the opposite wall.

     Easter celebrations make me happy to remember my Savior. This year I have an Easter tree.

      Lastly, the plum tree in the back yard is a riot of blossoms. They are even beautiful in the moonlight.

Paulisims

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I am sleepy, but not dead.

I am tired, but not exhausted.

I am good, but not great.

Tests are scary, but I act like I am not frightened.

We are happy, but not overjoyed.

I am behind, but not failing.

Pressured, but not overwhelmed

Small, but not unloved

Weak, but not without strength

Inconsistent, but not boring

12 Days Till Easter

      I want to make more of Easter this year. Why not have an Easter Countdown and combine little treats with reading the scriptures dealing with the last week of the Savior's life? I 'll make one set for my Grand kids and one for my seminary class.

    These pictures can have scriptures on the back. Check back here for a list of scriptures dealing with the last 12 days.

                                            Pictures for the last week can be found here. Thanks, Bro. Bushman!
     The more I prepare for Easter the better I understand the full impact of his Atonement,  Crucifixion and Resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Gifts Of The Spirit

       Both Paul and Moroni write eloquently about spiritual gifts and both lived during a time of spiritual decline. These gifts should be evident in the true church of Jesus Christ.  Paul urges us to covet them; Moroni admonishes us to never deny them. 

   Moroni 10:17 "And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will."

They are intertwined with the atonement of Jesus Christ in that they have their source at the tree of life. The fruit of the tree is Charity, the pure love of Christ, and it is by far " the more excellent way" of sharing power and strength. And, that is the reason for looking for gifts of the spirit, to share and give benefit to all. 

   I Corinthians 12:31"  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."

   Moroni 10:8 "And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them."

   When I was seminary age I looked for gifts which were given to me. Gifts seemed desirable but I gave very little thought to what I would do with these gifts. It was hard to separate gifts from the concept of talents. Talent seemed an innate ability to create and receive recognition for your creation. Receiving praise and honor for your gifts was very alluring.  It was also the way that a gift could become evil. Desiring recognition for a gift is surely not the reason they are given to men.

  Moroni 10:"And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing."

   We could play it safe and bury our gifts so that we will not be found making them unclean or we could consciously magnify the our gifts given by the spirit and be ever grateful to serve.

  

    To review the concepts in I Corinthians we played Hot Topic. One member gives a topic to his team and they have 60 seconds to list all the words connected with their topic. Click here to see a list of Hot Topics. More here….

Hints of Spring

    There are hints everywhere that Spring is on it's way. In our part of the world we had a very mild winter. Nevertheless, I welcome the next season with open arms. On Saturday, after a day of clouds, the setting sun illuminated the sky and bathed the trees with gold. How did Emily Dickinson see that same moment with me?

A Light exists in Spring

Not present on the Year

At any other period —

When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad

On Solitary Fields

That Science cannot overtake

But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,

It shows the furthest Tree

Upon the furthest Slope you know

It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step

Or Noons report away

Without the Formula of sound

It passes and we stay —

A quality of loss

Affecting our Content

As Trade had suddenly encroached

Upon a Sacrament.

Emily Dickinson

A Look Back

  Today may be the first day to see the sun after a long week of clouds and rain. I carry within me the memory of the Phoenix sun. There was a little place with my granddaughters, by an open window, with the sun streaming in, where I felt such warmth. The memory can keep me alive through the gray.

Paris Food

  Nichole at Obvious State asked us to peruse her photo picture shop and put together four of our favorites. These go together so well. Wouldn't they look good in your kitchen?

                                                                Let's meet at the cafe and have some lunch?