Trees Need to Grow

Sometimes I can be extremely stubborn.

And yet, life moves on.

This week I was frustrated..

My life was NOT what I had expected it to be.

We were walking down the street and I noticed all these blossoms and peddles on the ground.  

I looked up at these big fluffy pink trees

(which were bare only a few weeks ago.

Now their beautiful flowers were falling!

I could picture myself as the tree yelling at the sky

"Why would you make my beautiful blossoms  fall !??!

I love them just the way they are.

Don't you realize how much work it took me to grow these?

Why would you make me start all over again with ugly leaves?

Why do I have to put in more effort to bear fruit?

Can't my blossoms be enough?"

I was stomping my feet and fuming that these trees had to change.

That I had to change.

When I was a child I did Not like the growing pains in my feet and legs.

I am no different now.

Although I am stubborn I know if I neglect the fact tht seasons come and go.

That trees need to grow,

Leaves catch the sun,

and fruit is one of my favorite things.

Flowers are a good start but Big trees are far more beautiful than little ones.

Sigh.. Ready set go.

Grow!

(Will of God)

Alma 32: 38-43

" But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

 39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you."

 

Bunny Rabbits and Rocky Roads

This part of Washington has a ton of bunny rabbits running around.
Look out the window - rabbit
Driving down the road - rabbit
Walking up the hill - rabbit
Seeing all these bunnies reminded me of a road trip from my teenage years.
It was late at night and we were the only car on the highway.
Our headlights showed the display of wild rabbits ahead.
There seemed to be two kinds of rabbits.
One who would bolt form one side of the road to the other.
Unwavering speed and making it safely across.
The other sadly would start out strong only to turn half way across the road.
Thus not escaping before our car reached its path.
Thud.
This went on for what seemed like hours.
One day after we reached the camp we decided to fish further up the mountain.
To get to this spot their was a steep rocky road we had to drive up.
As we started up the rocks began to move under our wheels.
Their was again only two options.
Let up and not make it to the top.
Or keep the foot on the gas have unwavering determination despite
all the falling rocks.
Both of these experiences were etched into my brain.
I cried for the lost bunnies
And I pleaded for my own safety on that rocky hill.
 Through this I learned not to let up or give up.
When we keep our vision centered on Christ no oncoming traffic or
falling rocks can capture us. Decide now before you even cross the
road that you will make it to the other side. Decide now not to let up
on the gas fueling your faith in Christ. Faith in our Savior is what
leads us to safety and protects us from being just another "thud" on
this road called life.

Alma 26:27

" Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

(This is the view from beyond the rocky hill)

Rough Beginning

Sometimes when you are a missionary you are inspired to write poems about the people you love :)

There was a husband and wife
Who had a hard life
Little children to look over with care
Still mother and father were in a type of despair
Then one day came a knock on the door
Two sister missionaries
Mom said " come back and share more"
Weeks went by and the appointment came near
Two new sisters said
"Hello we are here!"
Prayers were answered tears were shed
Yet still this family had a long road ahead
Every night they tried scriptures and prayer
I'm sure they wondered if it was going anywhere
Temptations came freely
And satan sank deep
Yet this family worked hard to stay on their feet
"Dear Lord!" they cried!
"We are doing our best!"
"Didn't you send your Son to make up the rest?"
"I sure did!" God replied
As he sent more angles to stand by their side
Temptations dwindled
And Christ burned bright
For he alone was their saving light
Now they see a rough beginning makes for a marvelous eternity

 

Life is a Blur

When I first came out on a mission my companion shared a scripture with me that I hold dear to my heart. 

This scripture comes through modern revelation form the Lord.

Their were two brothers who wanted to know that would be the most worth for them in this life.

aka they wanted to know what the Best course of action in this life was.

aka aka they wanted to know what the Lord wanted them to do.

After they asked they both received the exact same word for word answer.

This tells me that this answer from the Lord not only applies to them but to all of us.

It is found in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 15 and 16 verse 6 

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

Why would the Lord tell us declaring repentance will be the most worth to us?

Because we simply cant take the worth of money with us after we die.

We take our family and our friends.

We all fall

This week I fell.

Literally. Swollen black and blue foot.

Propping it up in the air I thought "This hurts!"

We all have pain. We all hurt.We all fall.

I thank God for that.

In that moment I truly realized

Without the pain I would never see how wonderful it is to be pain free.

No more taking things for granted.

I will be grateful for the pain.

Christ suffered.

Why should we have it easy?

"Sometimes we will face things for which there is no earthly

explanation. In those moments we need to erect a sign that reads,

'Quiet: God at Work.' Meanwhile, hold on, child of God. Keep

believing. Don't quit. Don't give up. Let God do His work in you. The

greatest tragedy is to miss what God wants to teach us through our

troubles." - Why Did This Happen to Me? by Ray Pritchard (March Ensign:Trials,

Tribulations, and Trust in the Lord)

(me and my ankle support. No worries I should be good in no time)

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have

overcome the world" (John 16:33)