Sunday's Serenity

This is right outside my window. I look at it and am overwhelmed with a sense of wonder. Gratitude. Belief. Love. And many other feelings.

It's Memorial Day Weekend...

...and that means it's OK (according to whom, I do not know) to wear white. Apparently Mother Nature got that memo too and she decided to dress for the occasion...

See that white stuff on the ground? It's commonly known as snow.

This would be called hail...

Along with a little lightning and thunder. 

And if there's snow on the ground, where would any smart dog want to be but on the couch...sleeping?

Well...sleeping with one eye open, because that's what you must do if there's rolling thunder...

...And especially if you're Albert, who is A.L.W.A.Y.S. at the ready for anything that might be going on.

Sweet Sunday

Hanging with the little man after church...all handsome in his church duds.

Gettin' a little more comfy.

Haha...someone's discovered that blowing bubbles is fun!

No Foolin'

April Fools Day. Why do they call it that? All the people I know who were born on that day...and trust me, I know a few...and there are no fools among them. Who ya callin' fool, fool?

It's not nice to fool Mother Nature. How about Mother Nature fooling us? Nearly 80 degrees yesterday. And today, this. These two photos were taken about 20 minutes apart.

This 45-second time-lapse was taken over a 30 minute period...

...it was like this pretty much all day...first it snowed, then it melted, then it snowed, etc.

We took the dogs for a little walk. Aaa...who're we fooling? They took us for a walk...

And then stretched out for a little snooze on the couch. It was snowing outside, after all. 

Oh, did I mention? It was my birthday? No fooling ... although clearly I'm not 104. It was also my sis-in-law's wedding anniversary this weekend. So we shared some cake. Guess you'll have to figure out for yourself how we got to 104. I'm no fool and I'm certainly not telling!

I Need My Sundays

Sunday is my day to unwind and recharge, both physically and spiritually. I need both. A Sunday that is relaxing and spiritually uplifting helps to make even the most hectic week that follows seem to go better. 

Sundays that are frenetic or lack spiritual quality....well... the days that follow are more likely to feel like a tangle of driftwood.

Hope your Sunday was relaxed and peaceful.

At Peace with the World

Excerpts from a talk given by Joseph B. Wirthlin in 1991:

While we yearn for peace, we live in a world burdened with hunger, pain, anguish, loneliness, sickness, and sorrow...

The value of peace within our hearts cannot be measured. When we are at peace, we can be free of worry and fear, knowing that with the Lord’s help, we can do all that is expected or required of us. We can approach every day, every task, and every challenge with assurance and confidence in the outcome. We have freedom of thought and action, freedom to be happy...Few, if any, blessings from God are more valuable to our spiritual health than the reward of peace within. In modern-day revelation the Savior said, “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59:23.)

Despite dismal conditions in the world and the personal challenges that come into every life, peace within can be a reality. We can be calm and serene regardless of the swirling turmoil all about us. Attaining harmony within ourselves depends upon our relationship with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and our willingness to emulate him by living the principles he has given us. He has extended to us an invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28–30.)

The phrase “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39), that the Savior uttered when he calmed the storm-tossed sea, can have the same calming influence upon us when we are buffeted by life’s storms. During the Passover feast, the Savior taught his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.) Referring to the teachings he had given to his disciples, Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul gave us one key to finding the peace promised by the Lord. Paul taught, “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6.)

Words of Wisdom

Gordon B. Hinckley reciting a teaching of Harold B. Lee: "President Lee told us on more than one occasion to survey large fields and cultivate small ones. He was saying that we must know the big picture and then assiduously work on the particular niche assigned to each of us, and that in doing so we concentrate on the needs of the individual."

Wynn R. Dewsnup: "With tradition comes responsibility."

No spiritual complacency allowed.

All Things Testify of Him

All Creatures

Yesterday, while out getting dog food, I met Cule. She's quite a remarkable bird. It's not everyday that I get to see such a magnificent creature up close and personal. 


It reminded me of the hymn, All creatures of our God and King, which I love. The words go as follows: 

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
Oh, praise Him
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
Oh, praise Him
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia

Let all things their creator bless

And worship Him in humbleness

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father praise the Son

And praise the Spirit three in one

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Alleluia

Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father praise the Son

And praise the Spirit three in one

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Alleluia

Alleluia

Oh Baby Baby...

We attended the blessing of our youngest grandson today... 

He seemed rather unimpressed with the whole thing...

...perhaps even a bit annoyed that his nap was being interrupted. 

But for the rest of us, it was a good day.