What Spices and Sweetens My Life?

Outside my window...the day hasn't even begun. Generally, I rise before dawn to study scripture and write. Today is no exception. But I can imagine that we will be blessed as yesterday with lovely spring weather. Blue skies lift my spirits.

I am thinking...about an event on Sunday. My husband and I attended the blessing of our new grandson, who was given a wonderful blessing. Later during the meeting, a missionary gave his mission report. While thus speaking, his house burned down. Everyone in the audience knew what was going on except this poor young man. His family rushed out of the meeting as did many others. Even though thoroughly confused ans distracted by the commotion, he spoke quite well about the blessings that come with being obedient. He struggled to find the right words quite a bit after speaking no English for 2 years.

I am thankful for...my family. Even though I make mistakes and am a bit tactless at times, they love me in spite of my failings. Lately this group of loved ones had been growing by leaps and bounds.

I am reading...mostly scripture these days. My body is so fatigued by this illness that I sleep many hours a day, preventing the studying I'd like to do. I've sent off for a book from LDS Mommy University, Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. Looking forward to the day, when I have the energy to study again. Even so I'll be learning more about the tax code this year, since I'll most likely be working in the family business full time if I can regain my health.

From the kitchen...I've been craving Southern food. Maybe it's because I watched the movie The Secret Life of Bees Monday. Funny--I actually haven't read the book yet. Or maybe it's the fact that my grandmother is from Oklahoma. Anyway yesterday I made Butter Beans, greens with ham shanks, scalloped tomatoes, and cornbread with honey. Delicious! The honey of course came from my own bees.

I am wearing...my favorite flannel nightgown from Vermont Country Store. Cream with blue flowers, it has pin tucks both front and back. Sure I could have made it, but it's that old lack of energy thing again.

I am creating...honey again this year. Today I plan to put the supers on the hives. As soon as the flowers and trees begin to bloom, the bees go crazy gathering nectar and pollen. They have to have some place to put it. Keeping bees is not a labor intensive process except during extracting time.

I am going...to stay home for awhile.

I am hoping...and praying that our Nikki has a safe birth. She is expecting her first and doesn't know quite what to think about all this. She'll be a wonderful mommy.

I am hearing...the sound of silence. At this early hour, I can't even hear traffic outside. The peace of this time of day appeals to my soul. Others prefer to sleep late but not me. I'd rather get up, study scripture, do a little of this and that before taking an early nap.

Around the house...Spencer has been helping our friend with the Finale program. This program helps people score music. We've had people over here a few times this week to finish a project. This Sunday we are singing in a Stake Choir production of The Promise of Easter with a lot of extra solo numbers and one song written specifically for the event. They decided to have the event a few weeks before the big day, because so many people go out of town on holidays. Spencer has developed a nice bass voice and loves to sing again. I of course love to sing as well, but I don't sing solos anymore. I have nightmares of Mary from Pride and Prejudice floating in my head and wouldn't want to embarrass my family.

One of my favorite things...is Spring. The melting of the snow, the blooming of spring bulbs, the blue skies, and warming weather cheer my soul. It id God's gift to those of us who don't care much for winter's special gifts. I love to play in the dirt but fear I won't be able to do it this year.

God's hand...is everywhere. Sometimes I don't understand the wisdom of the direction He sends me until the event has been fully played out. "Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46: 10 To me it is enough to do His will. True, it is hard to figure out what His will is at times. But I find when I spend time with Him in the early mornings each day, I put my self in a position to hear His voice more often than not. It's sort of like picking up the phone or sending an email.