Yes, I am still here! Still alive~I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging. Life has had some turbulence lately and so I have had to slow down and focus on the things that matter most. I have done this by focusing on President Uchtdorf's words on times of adversity:
A student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed. The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road. Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions."
And so, I have been slowing down and reducing any "non-essentials." Heavenly Father knows my needs and has sent many tender mercies over the past couple of months; there have been so many times where I have felt I have had no where else to go other than down on my knees and into the words of the scriptures. This is what has sustained me so many times throughout my life, even now. On my monthly calendar, which has a monthly quote, April's message read, "There are always flowers for those that want to see them." I have read that many times lately; here are some of the flowers in my life the past couple of months:
My home grown asparagus. It grows faster than we can eat it. Asparagus, anyone?
It has been sweet experiencing the blossoms in our new home.
We have the fluffiest pink trees in the world for a couple of weeks!
I got to hear my dad speak at an LDSBC devotional; it was absolutely inspired and amazing. The Spirit was so strong and the students loved him. I don't know how I got lucky enough to have parents like mine. Hearing my dad speak is one of my top favorite activities.
Apple blossoms may be some of my favorite
And, of course, rainy days are my favorite.
Another tree in our yard!
Another sunset. One day I may stop taking pictures of them. But every night they are new and unique. They have to be captured!
Went to the Payson Temple Open House. It is my new favorite temple. The details are exquisite.
We had a fun Browning family get together and celebrated Sam and Nat's BYU graduation--hooray! We also went to the Tulip Festival with Ben's parents. It was breathtaking; I think I may want to make this a yearly tradition! Growing up, my parents would often take us to gardens like this; my grandma is an amazing gardener, and we all love looking at gardens like this. It definitely brought me back to my childhood.
The lilacs in our yard are my favorite!
My herb garden! Fresh cut cilantro in guacamole is my idea of delish!
I can't forget to mention our newest addition: Oreo! She is my parents' 7 year old dog that, because of traveling, they needed a new home for. She is so well behaved except when we try to get her in her crate at night, and she pretends that she doesn't hear us. We have loved having her already!
A squeaky hot dog is her favorite toy.
My Sun Star plant!
Ben was in the middle of doing yard work when Oreo decided that she wanted to sit on his lap. It was a nice break from the 9 hour yard work day we had.
My puny little garden. We'll see if it survives...it's my first try--lots of pepper varieties, cucumber, spinach, garlic, and cantaloupe!
I love that our yard faces this beautiful, peaceful peach orchard.
Oreo loves getting into any nook or cranny she can find, even if it's in between your legs or arms.
Tis the life.
We went to the temple to do a session the other night; how I love the promises and surety we feel there.
For comic relief.
These flowers in our yard are about the size of my head.
Even though we've had a lot of house projects in our new home. I would not trade it for the yard and view we have. I now have a reason to go outside, and I love the peace I find there.
Our scary trees are finally growing leaves and won't look so scary anymore.
These are the "flowers" (literal and non-literal) I am finding in my life right now. There truly are always flowers for those who look for them.
