The Good and the Wonderful

For a few days I wanted to title my blog the good, the BAD, and the UGLY. Our water heater went out, and the water leak disintegrated the bottom of the sink cupboard in the master bathroom. My dear hubby purchased and installed the new water heater and made a new bottom for the sink. Our water was off most of the day, but we had a supply to carry us through. I went to the doctor again because of so many rashes. I do have shingles again, but she is perplexed by the other rashes. She believes it is allergy related, and so I have to wait until I can see my allergist. Endure! I have had fun sewing, reading, and cleaning this week. So much to clean in this house! I have loved the green, colorful, fresh springtime. I love the yoga DVD that I got this week, and I have enjoyed time with friends and family. I know that life is good and wonderful! We had the chance to go downtown to see the new City Creek Mall. Gorgeous! and peaceful. We also went through Temple Square and enjoyed the beautiful flowers. We had dinner with hubby's brothers and spouses. Such a lovely evening! I have appreciated the busy week, because it helps me work through the pain. Now I am working on decreasing pain at night, so life is still good.

Easter blessings

It was a wonderful Easter weekend! I went to a jewelry making class Friday evening, enjoyed the baptism of a young man in our Ward, spent time with children and grandchildren, and were uplifted by Easter music and talks. I have so many blessings, and I am so thankful for the gospel in my life. I know that my trials, troubles, and challenges will help me return to my Heavenly Father. I have been discouraged with health problems the past few months, and added two more to the list last week. However, I know that I can push forward and enjoy my life and live it to the fullest. That is such a great blessing! My savior has shown such love and patience to me and I know that he lives. I know that I will one day meet him in person, and I hope that I will be worthy to live with Him forever--and my special family too! Beautiful Easter blessiings!

Down in the Dumps

Snow??? I was being cheered so by the beautiful sings of Spring popping out. I also was a little discouraged by my visit with the doctor this morning. I have had issues with high blood pressure and we met to decide on treatment. While she was checking my blood pressure she said, "Hmm, this isn't good news." She spotted shingles on my arm. So now I'm on more meds. Since January I have been diagnosed with eczema, varicose veins, high blood pressure, and shingles. I guess this was a good day to be down in the dumps for a little while. Spring is returning this weekend and its' Easter, and tomorrow is always better. I am truly blessed, because I have dear friends facing cancer, MS, and leukemia. I will gladly take my infirmities and move onward. When I look at the whole picture, my aches, pains, and challenges aren't very much!

Spring Break

My grandchildren are enjoying Spring Break this week. I realized that even though I'm retired I can enjoy Spring Break too! I enjoy my Religion class every Monday, but it had new meanings revealed to me as we began studying about the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. Can you imagine how the Savior felt as ALL of Satan's hosts joined him in this great battle against the completion of the Atonement? An angel was sent to strengthen Him, but what a battle it must have been. That was a highlight to me to be reminded of this just as we celebrate Easter this week.

I have also enjoyed shopping, lunch with a daughter, watching Hallmark movies, short walks in this beautiful season (allergies notwithstanding), planning hubby's birthday celebration, sending Easter to my grandsons in Maryland, and also sending a surprise to my daughter there. Today I will have lunch with a long-time friend and do a little more shopping. I am looking forward to taking a beginning jewelry making class on Friday. Life is good! I truly love this time of year when we can reawaken to the beauty of the earth and enjoy the blessings we have.

Joy

I am feeling joy in the Spring season. I love the flowers, the budding trees(despite my allergies), the green grass, the blue skies, and the fresh feeling the season brings. I read a quote today that really helped me focus on what is important. "When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present...we experience heaven on earth." Sarah Breathnach

I have enjoyed doing small things, having lunch with a beautiful daughter, sewing, watching a Hallmark movie, reading the scriptures, and then I realized I feel like I'm on Spring Break. It's a great feeling! When I'm busy and doing my aches and pains go away. Now if I could bottle that for the evenings I'd be in great shape. Whoops! I guess I'd better remember what's important again. Maybe in the evenings I need to just recall all of the wonderful things I have experienced during the day. Sounds like a good plan!

Gratitude

I was reminded in Conference of the need to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for our blessings. I have tried to do that more this year, but sometimes my rebellious streak hits and I listen. Today I am so thankful for my dear hubby. He is so thoughtful, helpful, loving, and patient. He has had a really bad cold for about five days. He only gets sick every three or four years and so it hurts to see him suffer. We were so thankful for General Conference so that we could both kick back and just relax and gain spiritual strength.

I am thankful for all of our family. They are so loving towards each other! I am thankful for the many opportunities we enjoy. I am thankful for my health. So often I complain about the little pains and struggles, but I recognized that so many are facing worse struggles than I am and they face it with grace and courage. What wonderful examples! I am planning on better organizing my time so that I can spend more time reading the scriptures and the Ensign. I plan on spending more time in meditation and prayer. I am planning on finding more ways that I can give service instead of complaining about my self. There are some lofty goals, but I'm sure more joy as I strive to improve. I love Conference weekend!