Archive for category: Inspirational

Yesterday was a bit of a blue day.
But there were tender mercies … kindnesses from Heavenly Father.

Looking forward to Easter!
I love that Easter is in Spring – time of renewal … hope … refreshing beauty … color … life … Christ.

Have you ever read My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss?

It describes life pretty well… red day, yellow day, blue day, grey day, green day … or a day full of lots of colors … good, bad, happy, sad.

I do love colors … of all kinds. Each one teaches me something new. A blue day teaches me to look for the good in other days. A yellow day teaches me that there is joy in the journey.

What color will today be? I hope a green day – spent outside in the sunshine and warmth… viewing God’s beautiful creations.

Yesterday when I heard this quote by President Eyring in General Conference, I was outside checking on the guys working on the fence. They had the radio broadcasting conference. I repeated this quote to Jimmy as I walked by him. I love this example. Wasn’t President Kimball just about perfect? He reminds me of Job … so many hard physical trials, death of his dear sweet mother as a little boy, so short in stature… but such a spiritual giant. His example makes me want to try harder to thrive in spite of hard times.

Then…
last night about 10 p.m. when my body ached with weariness and I was finishing up the dishes, shining the kitchen sink like a good FlyLady ought, and chatting with Jimmy about Priesthood session … my thought was for a split second…

it seems so easy to choose a life of ease

but…

My heart tells me this is a sad, unfulfilling, lonesome life.
Too bad Satan makes it seem so appealing to have a life of ease.

What about the JOY in seeing children learn something new…
the LOVE between husband and wife…
the LAUGHTER with silly children…
the KNOWLEDGE that you are assisting in part of God’s plan…
the ACCOMPLISHMENT that finally comes from a long hard task finished…
the PEACE from doing our best to live the gospel and make righteous choices to follow God instead of Satan…
the REASSURANCE that all is safely gathered in
(after a long day of working outside, Jimmy went to Priesthood session, and then came home and organized the food storage I had purchased yesterday morning. I wanted him to stop working so I could too (without feeling guilty)! But it’s good to feel settled knowing we’re making efforts to BE PREPARED)

So – in many ways I appreciate the mountains and the challenges because they make MORE of me and my life. But when I’m weary, I sometimes want to choose an easy life. I like this scripture which reminds me to press forward… for the reward is worth it.

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” D&C 64: 33-34

Dallin H. Oaks talk on SACRIFICE was great. I loved that message.

Anyhoo… random… but a reminder that all the HARD things are worth it, in the end.

Today it is taking every ounce of LOVE & patience to remain composed with the 3 littles. Tru is in a screaming mood. I’m trying to determine if I ought to ignore him so he doesn’t get attention for it… or send him to his room for a few hours. Abe is sick with a fever & sore throat. No Bueno. Grandma & Grandpa Smith left this morning. Grandma had the boys playing outside most of the day yesterday and they will miss her taking them to the ‘playground’. Hurray for outdoor fun & sun.

Anyhooo… trying to focus on the LIGHT… the GOOD… the CHEERY.

I’m hoping for a slow and steady sort of day.
A day for some spring cleaning and loving of littles.

Wanted to share a new image we’ll hang by the Living Christ Print (when I ever get it finished).
I love seeing the 400+ pictures of our family from the past 11 years.
“Have ye received his image in your countenances?” Alma 5:14

Here is a snippet of the up-close.