"I CAN SEE THE WORLD IN MY OWN GARDEN"

I have been working in some flower beds in my back yard, and just pondering how Heavenly Father gives us so much symmetry in all his creations. I love perennial flowers - they come back every year, generally stronger and more beautiful than the year before. I can depend on them, their roots are deep and strong and they are always ready to contribute - I love people like that as well. I know they will be committed and perform, and their "testimony roots" grow stronger every year.

I can compare the noxious weeds as I struggle to pull and clean them out, as the persistent trials and struggles and miserable developing habits, we deal with everyday. I know that if I don't clean out every bit of the root, they will be right back.

Every year I buy a few annual flowers - they are beautiful and make a big splash and then they are gone, until I spend more money to replace the following year. I have met people like that as well - Very showy, but with little staying power. Fortunately, I don't have much money for annuals.

I love the trees in my yard, tall, strong, deep rooted. Some even produce a product like pears or pecans. They remind me of the Priesthood in my life, my late husband, my father, the Bishop and my home teacher. They are there for me stable and dependable.

I love the "volunteers" in my garden, they just find a place and volunteer to fill that spot. They remind me of the great friends I have in the Dallas 4th Ward, who are always volunteering to help and love, or give time.

I love "knockout" roses, and I buy one every year. They "magnify their callling" as roses. They bloom several times a year - contantly contributing to my joy! They are like the gospel in my life, because the blessing of the Gospel in my life is endless.

Finally I love my blackberry bushes - they were the love of my husband's garden, and I have merely tended them for him since his death. They have mean thorns that protect their delicate delicious fruit, and I have a healthy respect for them - even the birds don't go near them. But when I get to harvest them with a gloved hand, they remind me of Alma's seeds of faith, they are delicious to my soul....

Immortality of the Soul

Hello my friends and sisters,

On Sunday April 15th we will share our thoughts and feelings about chapter 7 "The Immortality of the Soul" from the Teachings of George Albert Smith. Our Soul is the combination of our spirit and our body. Immortality is about us being eternal beings. Our mortal life is between our premortal life (living with our Father in Heaven as spirit children) and our next life where we will hopefully live with God again (our body and spirit reunited). I love the way President Smith reminds us we are now in the middle of our eternal life.

So, think about how you may want to live your life if you are in the middle, not the beginning of your life or the end of your life. It is said that "time stops for no man."

See you Sunday!

With love,
Shirlee

Never too much candy...or too much fun!

I had a HUGE Easter weekend. I loved every minute of it! I do not believe one can ever have enough quality candy (which means chocolate - which means LINDOR or Ghirardelli). I also feel that way about FUN.
In the Dallas 4th Ward, with all the cares and needs of church life, Bishop Monroe felt we needed to have some more fun together - and I agree.
Without a specific position of an Activities Chairman on the roster of ward callings, the Bishop decided to have an "impromptu" Ward Picnic at the Campbell Green Park (Park Hill & Campbell) at 6PM to 7PM - TODAY.
This is the PERFECT time to have food, candy, friends, and fun!

So Many Hands!!

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make our Birthday Party a success!!! We love you all!

"Robes for Rags"

I received so much personal revelation during the 182nd Annual General Conference, that I find it difficult to find one favorite inspirational thought or talk. HOWEVER, one phrase, as related by our now former General Relief Society President Julie B. Beck, stood out as most appropriate for the coming months.
Our goal for the next three months, as the Dallas 4th Relief Society, is to encourage every worthy sister to exchange "ROBES FOR RAGS".
One of the quotes Sister Beck used was by modern day prophets where they hoped that the women of the Relief Society would discard their "Spiritual Rags" and truly desire the "Glorious Robes" the Lord would have us wear instead. We know they are referring to the temple and the blessings found therein.
In the coming weeks, we will be emphasizing the blessings and responsibilities of female discipleship as it applies to the saving ordinances of the TEMPLE.
For the last two days, I have felt the SPIRITUAL PULL of the Lord for me to want MORE for myself and all those around me.
I want NO WOMAN in our Relief Society to have only rags to wear when we have, right in our own ward boundary, access to GLORIOUS BEAUTIFUL DIVINE ROBES found in the TEMPLE.
Wardrobe change starts......NOW!