Planting, Sprouting, Growing through the Restoration of the Gospel
Greetings All -
I know I am a day late and a dollar short. Life just happened yesterday. I am finding myself trying to figure out how to make new routines in all that has happened as of late. It has been a busy week. I find myself struggling to stay awake when I should be awake. There are times that it is hard to focus on just one thing when I have so many things bouncing in my head. Let's see if I can focus on this for a moment and share my pondering -
Alma 32:33-34
"And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good."
"And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it has sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand."
What experiment have you tried lately? Have you ever found a seed on the ground and wondered what it was? Have you planted it to see if it was a good seed? Have you waited long enough to see it sprout and grow?
At that point you know it is a good seed, that it is growing, but do you know what it is other than it sprout? You don't know whether it is a flower, a vegetable, a tree, or even a fruit tree. You just know that it is good and it is growing.
If it is a flower, you normally don't have to wait long to enjoy the beauty. If it is a vegetable, you might have to wait a little longer to be able to taste the fruit of the vine, but what if it is a tree or fruit tree? How long do you have to wait for the tree to bare fruit that you might enjoy? It usually takes more than one season. Heck, an olive tree could take years before it bares fruit to enjoy.
There are lessons here about the many stages of our faith, the gospel, and more. As we live our lives, exercise faith, plant seeds on the path of mortality, we don't just plant one seed. We keep planting. Some of the plant require a great deal of effort and others don't. Some be left a lone for a period while other require our constant attention. It all depends, but in the end, they all teach us something.
A tree for example, is planted, sprouts, and begins to grow. Sometimes protecting it as a young sprout requires a great deal of attention to make sure it is not run over. As time passes, we may have to add restriction and bands to the trunk so it grows straight and strong. Those restrictions, though not always understood, are there to protect the growth and development of the tree. As it grows, we are eventually able to remove the bands and restrictions, because the tree has become strong enough to resist the storms and has been taught the direction to grow.
Does this mean it won't fall over? Does it still require nutrients? As it grows, does it root system continue to grow and develop as well?
The tree grows in faith, but as it grows, the way we maintain it changes. The foundation(gospel) remains the same, but the administration(church) of its development often changes depending on the needs, weaknesses, and strength of the tree(us).
What seeds are you planting? How are you exercising the faith to help it grow?
Ok enough rambling. I hope some of that makes sense to you the way you need it too.
Our week -
Last week, I mentioned the Queen was headed for an adventure. She boarded a plane and took a 20+ hour trip to another part of the world for the next several weeks. She has had to make adjustments to time. We have been blessed with technology that allows us to video chat on a regular bases, just different days and hours.
The Professor has done her best to adapt her routine to the absence of the Queen. She finds herself in a quite house while I am tending to appointments. It was fun to spend a little time this weekend together. She did her best to spoil me on my special day. I appreciate the sacrifices she makes.
Tall Man is busy working, purchasing, and sleeping. We were blessed to have Ehl-Bo and Lego join us yesterday day afternoon. It was the most wonderful surprise to spend time with both of them. Ehl-Bo got some quiet time and I got some Lego time. He is growing so fast. We had some serious conversations yesterday.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are crazy busy. Lady Hawkins is doing her best to juggle the school load and the job. Puddin continues working and pursuing new adventures. He dropped by last night is search of a Father's Blessing. I enjoyed the time we spent together. AND today we are excited to learn that he passed the second level of testing for Police Academy with flying colors. Now on to the interview later this week.
SnackPack and I spend most of our quality time well after the sun sets. Our schedules keep us hopping. Yep, they catch up to us, but we always seem to find time to catch up every night. I will always cherish them. He has been West, East, South, and North multiple times this week. It is either to help someone in need or just spend quality time with friends. He is always on the run and does his best to keep up with the school work.
Me? I just keep busy all the time. There are rarely dull moments as of late. I did make it north to winterize and such. Now we just need to find and finalize a sale. Anyone need a place to live?
I know I am a day late and a dollar short. Life just happened yesterday. I am finding myself trying to figure out how to make new routines in all that has happened as of late. It has been a busy week. I find myself struggling to stay awake when I should be awake. There are times that it is hard to focus on just one thing when I have so many things bouncing in my head. Let's see if I can focus on this for a moment and share my pondering -
Alma 32:33-34
"And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good."
"And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it has sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand."
What experiment have you tried lately? Have you ever found a seed on the ground and wondered what it was? Have you planted it to see if it was a good seed? Have you waited long enough to see it sprout and grow?
At that point you know it is a good seed, that it is growing, but do you know what it is other than it sprout? You don't know whether it is a flower, a vegetable, a tree, or even a fruit tree. You just know that it is good and it is growing.
If it is a flower, you normally don't have to wait long to enjoy the beauty. If it is a vegetable, you might have to wait a little longer to be able to taste the fruit of the vine, but what if it is a tree or fruit tree? How long do you have to wait for the tree to bare fruit that you might enjoy? It usually takes more than one season. Heck, an olive tree could take years before it bares fruit to enjoy.
There are lessons here about the many stages of our faith, the gospel, and more. As we live our lives, exercise faith, plant seeds on the path of mortality, we don't just plant one seed. We keep planting. Some of the plant require a great deal of effort and others don't. Some be left a lone for a period while other require our constant attention. It all depends, but in the end, they all teach us something.
A tree for example, is planted, sprouts, and begins to grow. Sometimes protecting it as a young sprout requires a great deal of attention to make sure it is not run over. As time passes, we may have to add restriction and bands to the trunk so it grows straight and strong. Those restrictions, though not always understood, are there to protect the growth and development of the tree. As it grows, we are eventually able to remove the bands and restrictions, because the tree has become strong enough to resist the storms and has been taught the direction to grow.
Does this mean it won't fall over? Does it still require nutrients? As it grows, does it root system continue to grow and develop as well?
The tree grows in faith, but as it grows, the way we maintain it changes. The foundation(gospel) remains the same, but the administration(church) of its development often changes depending on the needs, weaknesses, and strength of the tree(us).
What seeds are you planting? How are you exercising the faith to help it grow?
Ok enough rambling. I hope some of that makes sense to you the way you need it too.
Our week -
Last week, I mentioned the Queen was headed for an adventure. She boarded a plane and took a 20+ hour trip to another part of the world for the next several weeks. She has had to make adjustments to time. We have been blessed with technology that allows us to video chat on a regular bases, just different days and hours.
The Professor has done her best to adapt her routine to the absence of the Queen. She finds herself in a quite house while I am tending to appointments. It was fun to spend a little time this weekend together. She did her best to spoil me on my special day. I appreciate the sacrifices she makes.
Tall Man is busy working, purchasing, and sleeping. We were blessed to have Ehl-Bo and Lego join us yesterday day afternoon. It was the most wonderful surprise to spend time with both of them. Ehl-Bo got some quiet time and I got some Lego time. He is growing so fast. We had some serious conversations yesterday.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are crazy busy. Lady Hawkins is doing her best to juggle the school load and the job. Puddin continues working and pursuing new adventures. He dropped by last night is search of a Father's Blessing. I enjoyed the time we spent together. AND today we are excited to learn that he passed the second level of testing for Police Academy with flying colors. Now on to the interview later this week.
SnackPack and I spend most of our quality time well after the sun sets. Our schedules keep us hopping. Yep, they catch up to us, but we always seem to find time to catch up every night. I will always cherish them. He has been West, East, South, and North multiple times this week. It is either to help someone in need or just spend quality time with friends. He is always on the run and does his best to keep up with the school work.
Me? I just keep busy all the time. There are rarely dull moments as of late. I did make it north to winterize and such. Now we just need to find and finalize a sale. Anyone need a place to live?
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