Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Spring Clinging

It's that time of year. The "Winter Blues/Blahs." I feel like that sometimes. On Monday, it was SO "warm"; the snow was all melted and the temperature was 38 degrees! Yeah, we were having a heat wave (for January in Logan really!) I went to the grocery store wearing flats WITHOUT any socks! Yeah, I'm a rebel.

I knew it wouldn't last. The weather is just a big tease here. In fact, it's a common saying in Logan that if you don't like the weather just wait 5 minutes. Winter can be very dark and dreary. And we have serious inversion to add to the yuck. Spring doesn't really come until April or May. In fact, I remember one year our Young Women got snowed on at girl's camp -- in JUNE!

On Tuesday the temperature had only gone down to 35, but I woke up to 2 or 3 inches of snow; somehow it seemed much colder. I was determined not to let it get me down!

As soon as I got the kids off to school, I reached for my therapy:
I've been reading my scriptures in the morning now for 5 days in a row! This new habit is really changing my perspective on the day. Really. I feel a little more happy, a little more patient, a little more loving, a little more energetic, a little more tolerant. It's only a little, but it's amazing how much better my day goes.

I'm reading in 1st Nephi right now about the Tree of Life. I really like the imagery in verse 24 of chapter 8: " And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree."

The mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil. The iron rod is the word of God: the scriptures. Notice the word clinging. Not just touching the iron rod or occasionally holding it or having someone else put our hand on the rod for us, but these people are CLINGING!

To me, clinging implies a "white-knuckled" holding on for dear life kind of holding! In the dictionary, clinging means: to adhere to as if glued firmly or to hold on tightly or tenaciously.

I think this means that living righteously can be hard, but the way has been prepared. Clinging to the rod of iron requires DAILY effort! DAILY scripture study. We can't afford to let go of the iron rod for even one moment! "The iron rod is the word of God; 'twill safely guide us through." (Hymns # 274) I hope my new habit will help me cling better. :)

After reading my scriptures and taking a shower, I took down my "Winter Magic" snowman wreath in protest. The magic is over for the season.
So I put up this:
Pretending it was Spring,
I painted my toenails and went barefoot in the house all day:
Yes, I know I have THE longest toes ever, but hey, don't you love the bright pink? I did a coat of Zoe's gold sparkly over the top just for fun :)
By the way, isn't Noira cute?

I have another ritual to lift my spirits. I change my shower curtain
(and rugs and towels) every 6 months or so, just to brighten things up.
Here's my "Fall/Winter" shower curtain:
And here's my "Spring/Summer" one:
Things are looking bright! Happy Spring Clinging!

9 comments:

  1. I definitely think you could be a foot model!

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  2. I read in 1 Nephi this morning also. Lehi's dream even. 1 Nephi is my most favorite book in the BOm and not because I've read it way more times than all the other books.

    Cute toenails. I keep mine painted all year so I don't get sad. Silly maybe, but it works for me.

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  3. What a great idea to change your shower curtain!!! I'll have to start doing that. I have been reading in Jacob and just last night was talking to Kevin about how it says "straight is the way and narrow the path" Just like holding tight to the rod. I can see it even more now how important holding tight and walking that narrow path is. Cute toenails :)

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  4. I have really never heard of anyone who changes their shower curtain. I love all your tactics!

    The sparkles really make a difference. You'll have to thank Zoe.

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  5. Pretty toes!
    And thank you for the analogy of clinging to the gospel, you are a good example of that. <3

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  6. Looks like we have a lot in common. I'm reading in Nephi chapter 7 right now. I'm from Logan. (still go there on a regular basis)

    Love the idea of changing the shower curtain!

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  7. I'm so into having another shower curtain. I'm bored with the one I have so if I change it every 6 months, then I'll love it again! You are just so smart. And I love what you wrote about clinging and the gospel. You are so strong. I love you!! Just such an awesome person! :)

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  8. Love the toenail painting and shower curtain changing to usher in spring! The winter blues are alive and well for me this year... So ready for some sun and warmth!!!

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