Merry-making

Anticipation is a wonderful thing.

I adore this time of year. It's my favorite season. The weather is phenomenal and the change is seasons is beautiful.

But it also signals the beginning of the portion of the year when the most holidays, traditions, and such happen.

Though it's not my favorite holiday, the excitement of Halloween is burning brightly in my boys. 

After Halloween there's birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, more birthdays, Christmas, and the New Year to celebrate.

It's such a lovely time of year constantly having something in the not-too-distant future to look forward to.

I'm thankful for that today.

What are you thankful for?? 

Mountains to climb

I love them.

They complete me.

I neeeeed them.

Mountains.

I am a mountains girl.

I see beauty in all (most) of God's creations (jury is still out on insects and arachnids...and many kinds of sea creatures).  But especially his land creations. Tropical vistas, desert landscapes, sweeping valleys, vast oceans- I love them all.

But there's something extra special about mountains.

I love them in every kind of weather.  Hot summer evenings all lit up in the red lights of sunset. Chilly autumn afternoons awash in reds, yellows, oranges, and greens. Purple and majestic and covered in snow throughout the winter. Cold and blue and draped in low-lying clouds on a chilly spring morning.

My mountains are always beautiful.

I haven't always lived next to any mountains, but for all of my conscious years I have had mountains nearby to draw strength from. Thankfully, these awesome mountains run through the various states I've lived in.

And I do draw strength from them.  There's many a mountain metaphor that comes to mind as I enjoy the views and contemplate whatever is going on in my life that matches up.  Every single time I catch a view of the mountains, my heart lifts. Seriously. Every time.

Me and my mountains- we're tight.  

And I am so thankful they are close by and bless me daily.

What are you thankful for today?

Again?!

It seems like the weeks drag by and then suddenly- POW!! it's Thursday and the weekend is in sight.

Weird.

Anyway.

Today I am thankful for rain. Falling leaves. Colorful leaves. Hoodies. Oranges, reds, yellows, browns, and blacks everywhere.

You know. General autumnal stuff.

I am also thankful for essential oils and dayquil. Combined together they form a powerful force against this head cold.  If only they could stop a runny nose.

What are you thankful for today?????

Speak to me

The rest of today and the whole of tomorrow is all that stands between us and General Conference.

How lucky we are to have technology that makes it so easy for the entire world to hear from a prophet of God?

I am very excited to hear what the leaders of the Church have to share with us this weekend.

I am so thankful to know that God still speaks to his children through his prophets. I am thankful that I can listen with my family in the comfort of our home. I am thankful for an entire weekend devoted to soaking in and feasting on the good news Christ has offered us.

Yay!!!!

When you say you love me

I don't know if I've ever shared this here before.

Sorry if I'm repeating myself.

I have this thing I like to do.  Sometimes, when I hear a love song I like to think of the lyrics in a religious way instead of a romantic way. Words between me and Jesus.

Try it.  It's a great way to feel good about life when you're down.

One of my favorite songs to do this to is this one:



When I open my eyes to it, Heavenly Father and Jesus tell me I'm loved in a million ways throughout each day.

A soft rain that brings that heavenly smell through my windows. "I love you, Lindsey."

A mountainside of aspen trees in various stages of color changing. "I love you, Lindsey."

A gummy grin from Trooper. "I love you, Lindsey. And so does this baby boy."

Clouds hanging on the mountains, a misty dark blue sky, and the sunrise peaking through as I drive the boys to school. "I love you, Lindsey."

Peace washing over me from the top of my head to the ends of my toes when I pray. "I love you, Lindsey."

Open your eyes and see all the ways they are telling you they love you, too!