A changing weekend

This past weekend was one that to the outside world wouldn’t hold any great amount of significance but to me it was one I will remember and cherish.  I didn’t do much of anything; in fact it was a pretty standard weekend.  B and I set out to finish some projects in the yard at Oak Hollow and worked side by side with Conference playing on the radio and hearing the echo from Jeff Berthold doing the same in his yard.  I set about trimming the Apricot Tree (I don’t think I ever realized how large of a tree this was because my dad was always the one trimming it) and soon the lawn was covered with white blossoms.  B gathered a few branches to bring into the house to bring that breath of spring into the air.  

Molly helping in the yard.

We packed the truck with what seemed an endless supply of branches and pine needles cleaned out from all corners of the yard.  As I drove to the dump I felt something was missing and realized it was my dad sitting by my side.  I miss him so much on days like this that bring back the many days we worked side by side helping each other carry the load.  After working in the yard B told me she isn’t sure she wants to purchase more land as this is a lot to take care of.  I agreed.  I think we both realize that this year may be a year of maintaining and not transforming the yard but I also think we are both okay with that.  I also came to a realization this weekend that my life is CRAZY…I told B that I feel like I am always running from one thing to the next and how did our lives get so over scheduled.  BUT…working in the yard is a way for my life to hit pause…it is my chance to have my spirit take in a deep breath and I realized this is my meditation moments with myself and with my gracious Heavenly Father.  What a blessing then to have a yard to be able to do this in.

B took her sister Heather, who was visiting us for her Spring Break, and went and got spring pedicures while I watched the girls and prepared myself for Priesthood Session.  Again, I felt a significant loss as I wandered into Priesthood session all alone.  Not only was I missing my dad who was my faithful companion but I realized it would be the last time I would be attending Priesthood in my old Stake Center surrounded by so many familiar faces that I have grown to love.  As we stood to sing the congregational hymn I had to hold back the tears that were ready to flow as I knew this was my dad’s favorite part and again he wasn’t there with me to sing off key.  

We were also so privileged to hear from our modern day prophets at Spring Conference and I noticed something in that talks and the prayers that stuck out to me.  Several people prayed and asked that we put into action those things we are prompted to do by hearing these words.  Maybe I noticed it because I have been studying Elder Bednar’s book Increase in Learning where he challenges us to be agents not objects and to act on what we learn and feel rather than waiting for the world to act on us.  There are so many good talks that I look forward to studying and taking the time to see where my action should be.  

Again, not what many would consider a life changing weekend but by small and simple acts my life is changing for the better.  I spoke with Becki this weekend about different thoughts and talks and realized how much more in tune my life is with the spirit of the gospel then it has been in the past.  I hope that I can fan my flame of faith, as Elder Holland counseled, and stand fast in what I know moving forward.