Rejoice

This is quote from the diary of Sarah DeArmon Rich, February 1846 right after the saints were forced out of their home in Nauvoo (for many a 2nd or even 3rd move from their homes): “To start out on such a journey in the winter . . . would seem like walking into the jaws of death but we had faith . . . [and] we felt to rejoice that the day of our deliverance had come.”

From "The Rock of our Redeemer" by Elder Anderson in April 2010 General Conference

Personal Revelation

"The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."

Sister Beck, April GC 2010

Elevate

In yoga philosophy, the 39th sutra of Patanjali states, "yathā 'bhimata dhyānād vā". Translated this means that "one retains the undisturbed calm of the mind by focusing on any thought that elevates the mind." What thoughts elevate your mind? I visualize a calm, blissful body of water, a noble individual, an act of kindness, a generous offering, a sweet innocent child. There are numerous thoughts to elevate the mind. When we first focus to bring this elevating thought in steadily, continue to focus on it, with time and discipline, it eventually becomes a part of our nature. The 'mind stuff' is constrained and we become elevated ourselves. It isn't merely a good idea, it is transformation on a cellular level. In yoga classes I encourage students to look inside and find that which is noble, elevating, inspiring; we then experience it in the tantric way by elevating our physical bodies in practice, our arms, our hearts, our legs; allowing ourselves to move from one place to a higher place, literally.

In general conference this April Pres. Boyd K. Packer in "The Power of the Priesthood" spoke about how we who live the gospel of Jesus Christ will have this power of elevating as well. He said "President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “While it may be said . . . that we are but a handful in comparison with . . . the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, which will eventually leaven [or lift] the whole world.”

I bake cookies almost daily, without a leavening agent I would have very ugly cookies; lifeless, small, and hard. I am certain no one would purchase them, and I am more certain I would not find such joy in creating them. The ratio of leavening agent to other ingredients is relatively small, very small, maybe one teaspoon to maybe 96 teaspoons of flour. Yet without this crucial agent, my cookies would most certainly not elevate.

Similarly, it takes one elevating thought in 96 that pass our minds to elevate our entire soul. Can you imagine 96 thoughts passing your mind without one of them elevating your mind or heart. Wouldn't life be dull? Isn't it the one in 96 that makes all the other thoughts worth thinking? In fact, just like the cookie, the elevating power has the ability to spread into all the other thoughts bringing them all to a higher level. Just one elevating thought to influence 96 others. Powerful is an understatement.

So, I am grateful for elevating thoughts, even if they don't come as frequently as I would like, they elevate the rest of my thoughts that comprise my day. I am grateful for a leavening agent in cookies, without it, just like life, it would be one tough cookie, and nobody likes a tough cookie.

seriously, was that spring?

Umm, ok, I might not be completely accurate, but I believe it was just 7 days ago we woke up to snow, yes, thats correct, snow! Today, mind you 7 days after snowfall, I passed a sign that said in Bold Red lights: 81 degrees. That is correct within a 7 day period we experience snow and 81 degree weather. Only in utah.

"So springtime, are you over, I didn't get much of a chance to experience you before summertime scooted its way in. I feel that you get jipped every year, and for that, well, all I can say is I am very sorry. Just when I was beginning to really enjoy your beautiful tulips, daffodils, and budding trees, so soon you leave. Next year I hope that winter is courteous enough to leave sooner giving you some freedom to express your beauty, and that summer isn't so impatient to begin. I love and cherish you springtime!"

Spring has sprung

Spring, the most wonderful time of the year (well ok, right behind Christmas). Both of them bring trees covered in white! It helps that I get to go on walks in this sunshine with my fabulous neighbors, Julie and Claira. They are the cutest neighbors this side of the mississippi! Sometimes we even play games with them, if they can keep Micah and I from hurting each other.

So here's to springtime, in all it's beauty.

And fabulous walks with cute Claira.

Cherry Blossoms.

Claira walking.

I meant really, really loving to walk.

Life springing up where you least expect it.

Julie and Claira-cute as the budding flowers.

Finally, a season with pink trees!

Take time to stop and smell the flowers!