Sunrise, Sunset

I realized recently that I've been experiencing more sunrises and sunsets. During the summer, I seldom see these dramatic moments because the days are too long. But this time of year, I get to see both! Mind you, it's not in the way I'd like to experience them (snuggled up somewhere far from civilization with someone special!)...in fact, I'm usually in the car during these dramatic moments.  Nevertheless, I've enjoyed watching the play of light and color over the clouds and the horizon. (I'm a skies person, remember?)

In literature and daily language, sunrises and sunsets are often used as metaphors for the beginning and end of things, so when I experience them both in the same day, sometimes it makes me reflective. It makes me realize that in this world, all things have a beginning and an end. It serves as a reminder that some of the more difficult challenges I face are temporary and will pass away. It also reminds me that the blessings we have should be treasured while we have them, because our lives are short.

Someone I interviewed recently for a class, a beautiful lady in her 80's, commented that she didn't know how the years had passed so quickly. She said that inside she still felt the same, that the passage of years had gone largely unnoticed, but externally, her body, her face, her life was so different. She was startled every time she looked in the mirror. Her advice for aging was to treasure the moments and beauty in life, serve everyone you can throughout your life, love God and others, stay active, and be kind to yourself.  Enjoy more sunrises and sunsets. I'm grateful that I get that chance right now!

When?

I was talking with Kelly tonight about surfing, since we had just watched "Soul Surfer." (Excellent movie, by the way!) Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to learn to surf, but it never happened. The one year I lived in Santa Cruz, I was broke and had no wetsuit. Turns out, Kelly wants to learn to surf, too. Can't you just see it? Kelly would make such a sweet surfer girl.

The other activity I wanted to try since I first saw it in the Columbia River Gorge is windsurfing. I believe the Columbia River Gorge is one of the most magnificent places on the planet, and when I go there as I have several times since first setting eyes upon this lovely place, I feel like I've just returned home. I will never forget driving along the river through the gorge one night when there was a full moon, and seeing the moon reflected on the water with the thousands of amazing trees and the breathtaking landscape...well, my heart and soul just about burst out of my body. I had to stop and give thanks to God for such stunning beauty. When I saw windsurfing on the river in the day time, I was so awed and captivated by another of God's creations...people! Men and women who were amazingly strong, who had invented this entertaining way of using the wind and the surfboard to make magic on the water. I was hooked. I would have gone and rented everything I needed and tried it right then if I could have.

Now I'm thinking time is passing by so fast and I wonder, when? When or if, I guess I should say. So many of life's joys that I have yet to try. (sigh) However, I realize that I have been so blessed in my life that I dare not complain. There are wonders in my life yet to experience, I suspect. And this time, I won't pass them by thinking, "Tomorrow."

Ward Campout

My boys and I were blessed to participate in the ward camp out on Friday evening. It was held at Squaw Leap (oh, wait, they call it something else now...I can't remember what it is, though.) The boys set up our tent for us, and we had a great time! The dinner Friday night was pulled pork, beans, carrots, and other yummy stuff. We were running a bit late because another ward member needed a ride at the last minute, so we were VERY happy to find that there was still food for us to eat.

After dinner, Bishop gave a great talk about the priesthood, with three wonderful stories about people who learned to honor the promises they made to the Lord and received tremendous blessings in return. This was held around a campfire with our ward family there among the tee pees, with the great expanse of beautiful stars and planets above us and the hills around us. It was truly beautiful.

When the boys and I got back to our tent, we read our scriptures by lamp light, said our prayers, and crawled into our tent to sing hymns and for our "scary story exchange."  We sang "Called to Serve" and "I Love to see the Temple." Then Johnny started his scary story, and before he finished, Joe fell asleep. I listened to the families around us, singing, playing cards, talking, and wondered if this was what it would have been like to be pioneers.

As it turned out, I had a lot of time to think about a lot of things that night. Earlier in the evening I had been "attacked" by allergies. I had forgotten how allergic I am to oak trees, wildflower pollen, and grasses. Even though I took an allergy pill, I could not get the symptoms under control, and some irritant had gotten into one of my eyes, such that it kept leaking and making mucous all night. I kept waking up with one eye sealed shut, feeling unable to breathe from asthma, and with the urgent need to blow my nose. I barely slept, and instead kept thinking about people that I loved, about my family, and about my future. When the sun finally came up, I went to my van to look in the mirror and discovered that the left side of my face was swollen so much that my left eye was almost completely closed. (My right eye looked terrible, too, but that was lack of sleep.)

I applied an ice pack to it for several hours, and kept rinsing my eye out, and by about ten, it was much improved. Breakfast was pancakes, sausage and bacon...most delicious! Hot chocolate and wassail made the morning complete.

After breakfast, the boys left to go find the caves, and I went with Katie and Keith to hike to the gorge and bridge area over the San Joaquin river. We saw beautiful wildflowers, lots of birds and lots of friends as we encountered others on the trail. The gorge was breathtaking...the breeze blowing up canyon was well worth the hike. The river was flowing beautifully. The hike was an easy one and we all had fun.

After the hike we returned to Fresno. I'm always grateful for these trips into nature. They remind me how much our Father in Heaven must love us, and keep my heart grateful for all the beauty he has surrounded us with. The earth testifies of Christ! I'm also grateful for our ward family. We always feel so loved and supported when we are with them. We are truly blessed!

Dear God

Dear God: You know I have always loved trees, and I can see that you have placed a number of beautiful ones in close proximity to me so that I will be reminded of your love, and I am so thankful! Today, I'd like to thank you for three in particular. For example, my neighbor's tree across the way is so huge, and has the most beautiful structure I have ever seen. When I see it, I think about how strong you are, and how I can rely on your presence in my life.

Thank you so much for the beautiful tree just a block away that you decorated with so many stunning colors. It gladdens my heart and makes me think of you every time I see it, and reminds me that being able to see is a tremendous blessing. There are so many people who cannot see. Seeing all of those colors on the same tree reminds me, too, that there is a place for everyone in your kingdom, and that every person of every "color" belongs to you.

And that lovely gold tree on Shaw Avenue is a joy to my eyes. When I'm driving home from dropping the kids off at school in the mornings, it's almost always lit from behind and it looks like angels are aiming a spotlight at it. It's so tall it makes me look WAY up to see the top. It reminds me that you are the source of everything good in my life. You are amazing!