Happy Earth Day!

The Earth is so beautiful. I love this time of year when everything is fresh and new. It is so fitting that the seasons coincide with the rebirth and renewal we celebrate at Easter. As a speaker at church said on Easter morning, all things testify of Christ!

 

 We had a lovely Saturday working in our little corner of the Earth.

We planted a few new trees, mowed the lawn, got the garden drip system running, and enjoyed the sunshine.

The yard is in full bloom! The weeping redbud is just gorgeous.

The lamium (dead nettle) ground cover has been blooming since February! This is a no-fail, no effort little performer!

The bleeding hearts have doubled in size in a week and are getting buds on them.

The bulbs are getting showy. This is a double yellow tulip.

We have three different varieties of daffodils.

Love the pops of color all over the place.

The flowering pears and spring snow crab apples are also blossoming.

Maddie celebrated Earth Day at school by picking up 100 pieces of garbage!

Trees

I have been thinking a lot about trees.

Wikipedia says, "In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, supporting leaves or branches."

The biggest trees I've ever seen were in Muir Woods in California. I visited there with my family on a summer vacation to San Fransisco when I was 19. Those ancient redwoods range in age from 400 to 800 years old, and grow up to 250 feet tall. I still remember the feeling of awe and reverence I felt in that majestic place.

Sometimes when I face challenges or trials, a favorite saying comes to mind and gives me hope:

"The strength of a tree lies in its ability to bend."

That has been very applicable for me in the last year as I have dealt with the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. Though scary and difficult at times, it has also been a time of great learning and I have bent in the winds of change. It has helped me recognize what is really important, both spiritually and physically.

I am more dedicated to exercise and eating right... and not for my outward appearance, but for my inward health. This larger, overarching view has given me greater determination and deeper motivation. 


I recently finished reading Alison's book (referred to in the last post) about creating lasting health, and I have so many new insights and ideas to implement. I love how on the last page she says, "Remember the old saying: The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is today." When it comes to making positive changes, now is the time!

The First Presidency message in the Ensign this month, The Best Time to Plant a Tree, uses the very same old proverb, relating it to becoming your best self, starting now. President Uchdorf says, "There is something wonderful and hopeful about starting now. There is something empowering about the fact that if we choose to decide now, we can move forward at this very moment. Now is the best time to start becoming the person we want to be--not only 20 years from now but for all eternity."

On a spiritual note, I heard a youth talk in church a few weeks ago that has stuck with me. The young woman related having a testimony of the gospel to a tree, saying the large main branches represent our testimony of the basic doctrines of the gospel, such as the life and mission of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, the First Vision, and so on. Everything else branches off from those basic principles.

I can't believe I had never thought of it that way before, with my love of all things horticultural. Now I recognize that indeed, my testimony of every little thing about the gospel--from tithing to visiting teaching to family history--depends on nourishment from the bigger branches. And in turn, the strength of the big branches comes from the trunk, which I think of as my soul, getting nourishment from my roots of personal worship such as prayer, scripture study, obedience, and service.

The banyan trees I saw in Hawaii are certainly an exception to the rule.... they root from the branches as well as the trunk! 

Speaking of family history, this is another tree I am exploring... my family tree. Mike's and my love for family history work is growing as we discover more about those who have come before us. It reminds me a little bit of chocolate cake... one bite leaves you wanting for more!

We both recently received histories from family members, and that is where the true gems are-- in the stories. It's funny when we are both devouring new information and trading it with each other... "Did you know my great great great grandpa came from Switzerland and married his first wife on the ship in her nightgown? ... and later he was the president of the Swiss German mission twice? ...and he was the mayor of Paris, Idaho? "

Mike would respond, "Did you know my grandpa was really good at gymnastics? ...and he chauffeured prophets and apostles while on his mission?"

Then me again, "My great great great grandma came from Wales, where her ancestors once owned Dunraven Castle!" My girls especially loved that story, claiming their right to be real princesses.

The most rewarding moments of all are when we can go to the temple and do work for our family members, connecting them together in bonds that will last for eternity.

Another quote comes to mind... "Climb a tree--it gets you closer to heaven." -Anonymous 
 

Of the Earth

Springtime is magical... the world breaks forth in glory! I have had the opportunity to tour two of my favorite gardens this week, and just want to share some of the wealth. It reminds me of a scripture:

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; ...for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and eliven the soul." (D&C 59:18-19)

That is what the earth's beauty does for me.

The first set are from the Noni Gardens. My kids love them as much as I do and were so excited for our picnic there.

The double tulips are amazing. They are so full they look like peonies.

My mom and I really want to figure out what this is. I can't remember for the life of me, but I love them.

We just bought a tri-color beech like the middle one on the island. We need to find a large spot for it because they get huge!

The flamingo colored tulips were my mom's favorite.

My girls picked blossoms off a tree to wish me Happy Mother's Day.

These yellow tulips were so interesting.... I have never seen variegated leaves on a tulip before.

I absolutely LOVE the color of redbud blossoms. We just planted a small weeping version of this and hope it will be as beautiful.

The kids kept finding hiding places and jumping out and yelling "surprise"!

We ran into my old boss, the head gardener, and he was so kind as to grab some fish food and let us feed the trout. The kids loved watching them jump. 

The flower gardens are glorious, but I have to say I love having four little "flowers" of my own to care for.

The second place I toured was Temple Square. 

I loved this bed of rainbow color. The poppies POP, but the undertones of the tiny forget-me-nots and english daisies are sweet too!

These campanula or bluebells are knockouts.
 

We were a little too late for the pink blossoming trees, and a little too early to see the peonies in bloom, but I did find one beginning to open.

I love the groundcover lamium. I think I need to get me some of this in my shade beds.

Speaking of shade beds, these hostas were huge and happy!

There were also lots of hellebore or Christmas rose in shady beds. They are so unique.

Now for a little look at my yard's claim to glory right now... my bleeding heats are in bloom!

Yes, these definitely "please the eye and gladden the heart."

Forget Me Not

 

We have been buying seeds this week. I like to let my girls each choose a flower packet to plant along with all our vegetable seeds, and Ella chose Forget Me Nots.

I love these sentimental little flowers. They remind me of my mom's flower beds back home, and the flower gardens where I worked. 

They also remind me of the sweet talk given by Elder Uchdorf a few years ago. He used the five petals to remind us of five things to "forget not". Here are some excerpts I found poignant...

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself. 

 "God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect. Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not. 

And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does. 

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It’s wonderful that you have strengths.

....be thankful for the small successes.... Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey."

2. Forget not the difference between a foolish sacrifice and a good sacrifice. 

"We can ask ourselves, 'Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?' There are so many good things to do, but we can’t do all of them. Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective."

3. Forget not to be happy now. 

"The lesson here is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.

This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life."

4. Forget not the why of the gospel. 

"My dear sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us.

While understanding the “what” and the “how” of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the “why.” When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."


5. Forget not that the Lord loves you. 

"You are not forgotten.

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom."

Thanks Giving

As always, the beauties of nature leave me in awe of the hand that created them. The storms mixed with sunshine of late have made for some breathtaking scenes. 

As I watched the sky this night I was listening to one of my favorite hymns of Thanksgiving and the combination overwhelmed me with profound gratitude.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Another evidence of divine power, the miracle of life! I am waiting with anticipation for the big reveal!