It is Springtime in my Soul Today

On April 29, 2010 I awoke to a world covered in snow. Again. You've got to be kidding me! Really, it was almost May and still we're getting snow. I went to work but was having trouble getting started, feeling almost depressed through most of the morning. The snow came down thick and hard through most of the day, which did nothing to lift my spirits. I think what happened is that I had let myself believe that winter was over and that warm weather, blossoms and sunshine were what I had to look forward to. It was my expectation that led to the depression, not the weather.

Thankfully, although the weather has remained miserable, the rest of the week has been wonderful. Thursday night was a spectacular event at the conference center, "A Celebration of Family History." David and I went and my mother was able to attend with us. The program was music by the MOTAB, special films of family history stories, a message from President Eyring, and an address by David McCullough, author and historian (1776, John Adams). It was an amazing evening full of inspiring music and words that had us alternately in tears and in stitches. It was also the first time I have ever been in the assembly hall of the conference center. What an impressive, massive room!

Saturday we were fortunate to attend the sealing of my sister Laurel's latest 3 daughters to their parents. This is the stuff of Eternity, and it never fails to inspire. The sight of that enormous family in that sacred place, being sealed forever, reminds me that we are part of an even bigger family, bound by covenants and promises that are more powerful than any force on the Earth, and through our Savior Jesus Christ we can all return to our Heavenly Home. Awesome!

Today after our services, my nephew Oati was ordained a priest. He asked his cousin David to stand in the circle of his ordination. I couldn't hold back the tears as I witness this special, righteous young man exercise his Priesthood.

I'm told that it may yet snow again before this endless winter expires. OK. It seems that there is much to keep us warm.

Comfort and Joy (part 2)

Rereading my last post was a little depressing. Lest I give you the impressing that it am comfortless in this cold world, I shall make an incomplete list of non-spousal comforts and joyful things in my life. In no particular order:

This is my son David. He is my missionary companion, my roommate, my comfort and my joy. David has a unique view of the world which almost always makes me smile. Here he is working in the family history library, shelving books. David wakes up each morning excited about a day of work. He greets everyone in the prayer meeting with a hug or handshake and a smile. When I pick him up at the end of our shift and ask him how was work, he responds, "Great!" David is a great Spirit, and I am in awe that he is my son.

Ok, this is a little obvious. It is a comforter. Made by hand by my sister and given to me for Christmas. The beautiful patchwork pattern on this quilt is made up of "horsey" fabrics. It is giant, big enough to share with David, and keeps me toasty warm, body and soul.

This is my granddaughter Daphne who visited me with her dad this weekend. I have 11 other grandchildren, just as adorable, whose dear parents keep me close to them with visits, phone calls, e-mails, videos, pictures and iChats. There is nothing in this world that fills me with joy like any one of those cute kids.


This is my cat Amaranthe curled up with me in bed. Some of you may remember her as a stray I rescued a couple of winters ago. She was living out in the cold, eating birds and drinking any unfrozen water she could find. She weighed almost nothing, but responded well to food and vet care. She has turned into a nice fuzzy companion. I often wake up in the morning with her curled up on my back, keeping me warm.

This is a car. I was actually without a car for a couple of months until my son Christian loaned me this one. Now, it's a pretty hot little car, totally inappropriate for an old lady missionary to drive, but I am soooo glad I have it. I get a few odd looks, and take some good natured ribbing from some of the missionaries who've seen me driving it, but they don't know the secret joy hiding inside this sleek little roadster: HEATED SEATS. Yes, push a button, the seats heat up and I'm riding to work enveloped in blissful warmth. We leave for work in the dark, usually in sub-freezing temperatures, so heated seats are a comfort!

Well, the list is endless, and you have better things to do, but you get the idea. I'm doing fine.

My husbandless state is temporary, but I'm not left comfortless.