7.06.2011

On Hiking



I started a hiking group last summer.  We had a lot of fun, and saw the beauties of the mountains.  It was so good, we are doing it again.





Hike #1 is tomorrow...not really a hike, more like a stroll in the woods, but a hike just the same.  This one is for the beginners, to help them figure out if they like this or not, or if their shoes will give them blisters or not...


My pack is packed.
My snack is prepared.
(Including my peanut butter and honey sandwich)
I have taken my allergy medication.
My soul is ready.



6.14.2011

Pain

I have been making an attempt to take up running again.  It makes me feel good.  I was excited to get off the treadmill and out into the warm fresh air.  Then my foot started to hurt.  Enough that I couldn't run.  I even hobbled around as I walked.  I was so disappointed.  I went to the chiropractor and mentioned my foot pain.  He used his activator on it and wrapped it and told me to leave it on all day if I wished, but not sleep in it.  I didn't want to take it off.  It felt good.  The ball of my foot didn't hurt.  He also told me to try some new running shoes.

Last week I bought some new shoes.  They hug my foot.  It feels so much better when I run.  I have only been on the treadmill so far, because I have a trial time on the shoes and I can take them back if they don't help if I haven't run outside in them.  But I think it will be good.  I feel so rejuvenated today after running.  And so wonderful to walk without pain.

I also experienced spiritual pain recently.  I won't go into details, but it has been hard for me.  As I have sought guidance, it has come.

I read this quote yesterday from General Conference.  It helped me to gain a new perspective on the pain we suffer.

Orson F. Whitney wrote:
"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted.  It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. ...It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire."

I have a hope that as I listen to the instruction I have been given through whisperings of the Spirit, the scriptures, and general conference, I will find the peace and comfort and relief from pain that I seek, just as I have experience from listening to the instruction I received regarding running.

If you want to read or listen to the whole talk, it can be found here:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-atonement-covers-all-pain?lang=eng

5.25.2011

Waiting...


We are still waiting for Spring to really arrive.

That is not something I would normally be grateful for, but I AM grateful for the anticipation that it has "sprung" in me.  I am determined to enjoy that warm (and hopefully some hot) weather when it comes.

My garden is in.  I managed to get that done on the one warm and dry day last week.  I took the opportunity between rainstorms yesterday to get a little more planting in, and I planted lawn seed in the dead spots.

And I got a garden gnome!  (Don't tell Ethan!)  I think he is kinda cute, and I had just been to Gnomeo and Juliet with Ashley, Sam, and Elizabeth.  The plants for my pots are waiting patiently beside the house, getting accustomed to our weather.  I think I will put them in tomorrow...



And then when it gets warm...

I will be ready to soak it all in!