Spring has Sprung

Content copyright © 2016 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

 Cherry trees are blossoming, as are the crabapples.....

 Honeybees are working hard

and we have babies everywhere!

I adore Spring!

Early Spring

This is a hard time of year for me- it brings those pangs of wanting to be outdoors, in the garden, soaking up sunshine and fresh air.  

The weather teases with sun, then blasts with wind and even snow.

I always think of this quote:

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  
~Mark Twain

That sums it up perfectly for me.

Still, we try to be patient with Mother Nature and make the best of our awakening spring.

The kids keep busy entertaining themselves and us, as do the animals!

Impromptu morning tea party

 We take fishing trips way too early to catch much of anything, but have plenty of fun.

Goat-Cart

New and exciting hairstyles courtesy of my girls

My golden girl, Annabelle

 Hanging out with pals

 Baking,

  Quilting and Sewing

 Watching General Conference (Sunday morning session) with the family- something I look forward to!

 Celebrating the dog's birthday...an April Fool's Day tradition never, ever forgotten thanks to one little girl.

Cozy time with Dad

We're also awaiting the birth of our first grandson later this spring, I'm planning a road trip with my mom to see my grandparents and Easter is just around the corner. 

 Truly, such a season of hope and excitement this is!

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  ~Doug Larson

 Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

 Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.  ~W. Earl Hall

Encouragement

"This life is a difficult riddle,

For how many people we see

With faces as long as a fiddle

That ought to be shining with glee.

I am sure in this world there are plenty

Of good things enough for us all

And yet there's not one out of twenty

But thinks that his share is too small.

"Then what is the use of repining,

For where there's a will there's a way,

And tomorrow the sun may be shining,

Although it is cloudy today.

"Do you think that by sitting and sighing,

You'll ever obtain all you want?

It's cowards alone that are crying

And foolishly saying, 'I can't!'

It is only by plodding and striving

And laboring up the steep hill

Of life, that you'll ever be thriving

Which you'll do if you've only the will.

"Then what is the use of repining,

For where there's a will, there's a way,

And tomorrow the sun may be shining,

Although it is cloudy today."

...And as they sang, the fear and the suffering of the long winter seemed to rise like a dark cloud and float away on the music.  Spring had come.  The sun was shining warm, the winds were soft, and the green grass growing.

~From 'The Long Winter' By Laura Ingalls Wilder

Spring Sabbath

What is it about certain Sunday mornings in April?  The weather has been crazy all week, even up until Saturday evening.  
Then suddenly, Sunday morning, the world is at peace.  

It has let out a sigh, welcomed the sun and the birds are out rejoicing.
It feels as though all of nature is hushed in remembrance of another April,  when Christ gave His life for us and broke the bonds of death.

In a recent address by C. Scott Grow, he spoke about Christ's atonement.  
Below are excerpts from his address, which I invite you to read in full  here.

"...The Messiah came to redeem men from the Fall of Adam. Everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ points toward the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah, the Son of God.

The plan of salvation could not be brought about without an atonement. “Therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.”

The atoning sacrifice had to be carried out by the sinless Son of God, for fallen man could not atone for his own sins.     The Atonement had to be infinite and eternal―to cover all men throughout all eternity.

...As the Only Begotten Son of God, He inherited power over physical death. That allowed Him to sustain His life as He suffered “even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great [was] his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.” 

...Not only did He pay the price for the sins of all men, but He also took “upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” And He took “upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” 

The Savior felt the weight of the anguish of all mankind―the anguish of sin and of sorrow. “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”

...Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed.

...There are times when each of us needs “relief from feelings of guilt that come from mistakes and sins.”  As we repent, the Savior removes the guilt from our souls.

Because of His infinite love, Jesus Christ invites us to repent so that we will not have to suffer the full weight of our own sins:

“Repent—repent, lest … your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.” 

...When we sin, Satan tells us we are lost. In contrast, our Redeemer offers redemption to all—no matter what we have done wrong—even to you and to me.

As you consider your own life, are there things that you need to change? Have you made mistakes that still need to be corrected?

If you are suffering from feelings of guilt or remorse, bitterness or anger, or loss of faith, I invite you to seek relief. Repent and forsake your sins. Then, in prayer, ask God for forgiveness. Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged. Forgive those who have wronged you. Forgive yourself.

...Immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study. As you do so, you will feel the sanctifying influence of the Spirit. The Savior said, “Sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands … before me, that I may make you clean.” 

...I testify that Jesus is the Christ—the Healer of our souls. I pray that each of us will choose to respond to the Savior’s invitation: “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?”  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
From 'The Miracle of the Atonement' by C. Scott Grow 

Thoughts

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

 

I love this quote!  It describes so well my feelings in spring.

I've often noticed that around the world at this time of year, there seems to be a lot of unrest.  I feel as if I'm holding my breath for good weather to arrive- because when it does, the world settles down somewhat.   At least for a spell.

 

My heart has been with the people of Japan, with family and friends who are going through major difficulties.  It's hard to blog about the good when so much sadness and worry are draping over us.  

Last night I realized that if no one seeks out the good, the cheerful, the virtuous and lovely things, we are doomed.  We must lift one another whenever possible.  

 

Little children are the greatest teachers in this.  Their hearts are pure, they look for each new day's possibilities and laugh when something is humorous.  They sing for no reason at all, give hugs freely and their eyes shine when they tell you their stories.  They embody all that is spring and summer.

 

 

Good weather is coming. 

But until then, let's focus on the good in the world while also helping those in need.

And remember this:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.   ~John 14:27

 

 

Waiting for Spring

When my world looks like this:

And I'm longing for this:

Here's what cheers me up:

 The beautiful and unexpected flowers the Man of the House brought me,

 The hilarious and strange 9 year old in her self-dressed 'uniform', taking food orders and being silly,

 The teenager setting aside his moodiness and thoroughly enjoying time with his baby niece,

 And that baby- growing by the day and entertaining us all simply by smiling.

I can't wait for Spring....but in the meantime there's so very much to be thankful for!

Sunshine and Cheer

The weather around here the past few weeks has been a little crazy.  
80 degrees one day, snow the next.
Even the old-timers around here are shaking their heads in wonder.

Emotional ups and downs seem to go right along with the craziness in the weather.

I don't know whether it's the desire for being outdoors, lack of Vitamin D or what, but it seems each week that someone in our family has a bad day. 

The trick seems to be; to take TURNS!  

I came across these quotes, which I've printed and put on my fridge.
I thought others might enjoy them as well:


"Of course there are times of sorrow. Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. But the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice. I see so many people . . . who seem never to see the sunshine, but who constantly walk with storms under cloudy skies. Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine" ~Gordon B. Hinckley

"We came into this life for experience, and that's all we can take out of it. Thank God we have the right to decide personally and individually what we shall do. The future belongs to those who know what to do with it. We must look forward to the unknown with optimism and confidence; look to tomorrow with happy expectancy, realizing that with God's help we can do all things. We need to constantly build faith in ourselves and those about us. We need to personally make dark days brighter. Isn't it a joy, a lift, a light, to see someone with heavy challenges and burdens moving forward to victory in the only contest that really matters!~ Gordon B. Hinckely


And this great one as well:

Cheerfulness and content are great beautifiers and famous preservers of good looks. - Charles Dickens