Monday, January 26, 2015

We're Planting Today


We're planting today.  The feeling of permanence builds with each tree placed in the earth.  John Tanner has an amazing essay entitle "As For Years" that mentions a verse in the LDS  Doctrine and Covenants 51:17 that states "as for years" that resonates with me.  At the time the revelation was recorded, there was a group of believers that were compelled to move to a new location.  They were not sure how long they would be there and were looking for direction of how to proceed.  The response was: 
"I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this and as for years."  
No council seems more applicable today to me and my family.  I don't know how long we will be here--but I am going to act as if it will be years.  I don't want to waste time getting started.  I have so much less time now than the last time I was planting trees--and so we are planting today--or I should say my son is planting today.  While I make phone calls for work, he is digging the soil.  The trees are soaking preparing for the transplant. Soon, the orchards will be nearly complete. Navels, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and tangelo will be in the citrus orchard, and fig, Asian pear, peach, nectarine, and plum will round off the other orchard.  

With each tree purchased and each hole dug, I feel more stable and secure.  I am beginning to understand why this instruction was given to these people who would only actually stay for 6 months.  The stability is built from creating the stable environment.  No reason to ever waste time biding your time in boxes.  Live life to the fullest today.  Put down roots that someone else may enjoy after you leave.  Create beauty today.  The joy is in the creation.  

So today I am living "as for years."

Friday, January 23, 2015

Thank you NieNie

I sit with computer in hand, with no thoughts.  I have spent the day fighting laziness.  My usual hustle to complete my To-Do List never kicked in.  A day a lethargic work. . .waiting to end.   The numbness of shiftless neglect.  Choosing the mind numbing tasks required in my job--the ones I usually save for after hours when I am by the t.v.  Grey numbness.  Cold in-spite of the beautiful sunshine out side. A never ending numbness

Until I read this:

I have so much I can do to bless my family.  I have never sat in the Burn Unit and hope to be able to wash the dishes again. . . or button my child's shirt.  I have so much to do.  Now, an overwhelming sense of desire to bless my family with my efforts this weekend.  The kitchen, the house, a trip up the mountain. . . and six new trees to plant.  Ready. Set. Go!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

AZ Skies

I love this video of our AZ skies.

Click Here to see Video

Friday, January 2, 2015

Hello from Cowboy Land

It has been six months since I said good-bye to friends, associates, and neighbors.  As I prepared to go I only could see what I was losing--rose gardens, grape vines, Boston Ivy encompassing my home and dear friends that have been with me through everything.

I thought I "knew" what I was moving to--Arizona desert, heat, and yellow grass.  I remember distinctly moving away from AZ all those years ago thinking about how great it will be to have UT's four seasons, the cool evenings even in the summer, and gorgeous green grass.  For more than a decade I have relished in these UT gifts and thought it would be nearly unbearable to leave.  But in my rush to leave the Sonoran Desert, I forgot to notice what has overwhelmed me in my return.
1. Arizona skies.  They are huge and painted in sublimity.  The sunrise blooms in pink, and orange hues until the blue awakens.  It is as immense as the sea and often seems as powerful.  The sunset completes the color explosion--echoing the morning glory but magnifying the richness of the colors as it fights to ward off the impending darkness.   My husband will talk science with my boys about the dust causing such beauty--but I refuse to accept it.  It is desert magic--an artist date every morning and night.  I try to never miss it.  I will often get up at 4:30 am to work before the family awakens so I can take the time at sunrise to be outside with the sky and my mountain.

2. The desert mountains have as much beauty as the Wastach Mountains--I just never took the time as a youth to discover it.  In my hurry to perform in string groups, participate in student council, and other great activities, I forgot to slow down and discover the mountainside.  Hiking has become a new passion.  The fire was lit in the Holy Land this fall.  I was overwhelmed with how much Galilee was like Queen Creek.  I fell in love with both lands simultaneously.  There is nothing like hiking with my family all together--the 21 year old carrying the 10 year old for miles.  The laughing, the spontaneous need to climb the face of a particular peak.  The quiet and the loss of cell phone service.



3. The Arizona friendliness greets me everywhere.  The gal in the grocery line who shares her life with me as we wait.  The openness and acceptance.  It is a gift.

Ironically,  I have fallen in love with the desert and the warmth of it all.  I rarely notice the lack of grass and meticulous flower gardens because I am busy looking up.  If Utah's beauty is built in the small details--the petunias and tulips--Arizona's beauty is built in large strokes of sky and desert scape.  I find peace in greeting its greatness daily and I am grateful to be home.