You're delicious!

That's what's written on my Dove dark chocolate wrapper just now. (Dark chocolate and several "premium all natural whole almonds" are a treasure!) I like the idea that I'm delicious! One dictionary defines delicious as "1. highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell  2. very pleasing; delightful." I want to be delicious!



How does one become delicious? I'm reminded of a favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon:

"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." ~Alma 32:28

In a Sunday School lesson I taught recently on the importance of scripture study, we talked about how important it is to nourish our spirits as well as our bodies. One young man said he likes to come to church because he can tell he is getting "soul food" that really "hits the spot." I love that! We can nourish our spirits with delicious soul food! We can help nourish others as we become delicious through feasting on God's word!

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." ~2 Nephi 32:3

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." ~Isaiah 55:2 (see also 2 Nephi 9:51)

God's word is delicious! He is pleased and delighted when we read it! We will become delicious as we study, follow, and share His word with others.

Treasure of Eternal Value

Just had to post this picture by SugarDoodle since this blog is all about true treasures!
I know Pres. Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet! I'm so thankful Heavenly Father has called him to lead and guide us! You can read his talk here - http://tinyurl.com/58kxlr

Be still...

It's a beautiful spring day here in the Ozarks! I went for a long walk earlier and it was so good to get outside and breathe the fresh air! I loved watching the clouds move across the sky and seeing the contrast of light and color.

I stopped at the school playground and went for a swing. It was exhilarating! Isn't it wonderful that our bodies can power such a ride?

I resisted the voice in my head that kept nagging that I needed to be doing something more productive. It's easier for me to get busy than it is to take time to ponder and reflect. I sat at a picnic table and prayed. I felt God near. I'm thankful I could take time
to be still.

"Be still, and know that I am God..." ~Psalm 46:10

I especially liked seeing the many maple seeds spin like miniature helicopters through the air! What a fun reminder of God's love!
 

 

Did you know you can EAT maple seeds?! Check it out:
http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Maple-Seeds

Here are some other good websites about maple seeds:
Origami Maple Seed
Maple Seed Helicopters
Flying Maple Seeds
 

Time Flies!

I just looked out my window and noticed all the cars and people coming to the football field for high school graduation tonight. I feel oddly detached from the event because I don't know anyone who is graduating. Even though we live right next to the high school and just a short distance from the elementary school, we homeschool our children. Most of the people we go to church with also homeschool or live in a different school district. Our oldest son did take a computer class at the high school this year and liked it very much. But that's not my point...

What I'm thinking about is how fast time goes by! It reminds me of a song called "Improve the Shining Moments" by Robert B. Baird. The 2nd verse goes like this--

          Time flies on wings of lightning;

          We cannot call it back.

          It comes, then passes forward

          Along its onward track.

          And if we are not mindful,

          The chance will fade away,

          For life is quick in passing.

          'Tis as a single day.

 

I can't believe it's been almost 6 months since my last post! This is no way to write a blog! Who do I think I am anyway? Well, that kind of self-talk won't get me anywhere!

 

It's true that we cannot call time back, but it's also true that we don't need to live in a hurry! It's okay to slow down! This painting and poem by Greg Olsen illustrate this beautifully (notice the cute little chipmunk!) --

 

 

TAKE MY HAND by Greg Olsen - 2008

Take my hand and follow me,
There are things ahead for you to see.

Little wonders are all around,
And tender mercies to be found.

We’ll take our time, no need to run,
Breathe deep the air and feel the sun.

The grass is soft beneath our feet,
Sounds are soothing, the air is sweet.

Sometimes we’ll stop and just be still,
Our hearts will tell us God is real!

Small graces along our path appear,
They let us know that Heaven’s near.

So take my hand anew each day,
The walk is lovely and I know the way.

__________________________

 

I'm thankful to know that my Savior is always there for me and "his hand is stretched out still (Isaiah 5:25)." He doesn't want me to regret the past, but move forward with faith. He loves me and has many gifts for me to receive and use.

 

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (1 Ne. 31:20)."

Here's a little quote my Grandpa told me--
 

          Yesterday is history;

          Tomorrow is a mystery;

          Today is a GIFT--

               that's why we call it the PRESENT!
 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

This is one of my favorite holidays! I love remembering my blessings/treasures! Short list:

Jesus

scriptures

music

family

home

friends

health

church

nature

books

food

water

socks

clouds

Counting my blessings lifts my soul and makes me want to sing! That reminds me of one of my favorite songs: "How Can I Keep from Singing?" You can listen to a beautiful arrangement here: http://www.defordmusic.com/howcanikeepfromsinging.htm

I want to "...live in thanksgiving daily... (Alma 34:38)!" Though I thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving feast (complete with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie with REAL whipped cream, etc.), I know it's even better to "...feast upon the words of Christ...   (2 Ne. 32:3)" and let my "...soul delight in fatness (2 Ne. 9:51)!"

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving ALL YEAR LONG! :)

Happy List :)

I had a wonderful college roommate who got me started making "Happy Lists" & I'm so glad she did! It always lifts my spirit when I stop & count my blessings!

finally resetting my password so I can blog again!

green, leafy trees just outside my window

sunlight dancing through the leaves

September

anticipating autumn

sunflower seeds-yum!

cool, clear water

air conditioning

grocery stores

sweet & juicy watermelon

freedom to homeschool

quiet time to pray

 

Welcome

When I was a little girl, I used to find treasures wherever I went. (When I was a toddler, my mom says I picked up cigarette butts on the beach and tried to eat them! Yuck!) I especially liked pretty rocks. The great thing about thinking that rocks were treasures was that I found treasures everywhere! My little girl also loves to find treasures. It's such a joy and delight to go on a walk with her! She finds tiny flowers, sticks, seeds, feathers, rocks, etc. and she likes to share them with me. I think part of the fun of finding treasure is sharing it with others.

I still like to seek for and find treasures! I like to display the treasures I find on the beautiful oak windowsills my husband lovingly crafted for our home. I think the windows themselves are actually treasures. Laura Ingalls Wilder liked windows, too. She said a window is a picture that is always changing. I love to look out and see the sky, trees, moon, and stars! I love to let the sun shine in! That's one of the reasons all of the windows in our home are uncovered. Right now, I have some shells, cedar wood pieces, a fluffy cotton boll, a pitcher decorated with little blue forget-me-not flowers, and a candy dish on my windowsills. On my dresser, I have a blue feather, a button, a little round of beeswax, a striped rock, several pressed pennies from different locations, and a plant.

These little treasures are gifts Heavenly Father has given to help me remember how much He loves me. Some were found in nature, others were given to me by friends and family, and some are reminders of special times. Heavenly Father also sends treasures to me through scriptures, music, good books, blogs, etc. Every day is a treasure hunt with so many good things to find! I love the last part of the 13th Article of Faith: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

I really want to share the treasures I find with others. I've thought about starting this blog for a long time. I'm thankful to my niece who inspired me to get started. I hope you will be blessed by the things I write.