Sunrise Sunset

No, I am not thinking about "swiftly go the years", but rather one of my favorite times of the day. While I have always been a night person, I think the Lord's advice to go to bed early and arise early has other advantages beyond a clearer mind and opportunity to learn. In fact in Proverbs it tells us that, "those that seek me early shall find me." I think this applies not only to the years of our life, but also in the days and minutes of our lives. I really must learn to get up earlier... But we can find the Lord in the opportunities to give thanks in our lives. (Sunrise in Hawaii)But I drift from the purpose of my post. I have really been thinking of the need to be thankful. I marvel at the beauties of nature that surround us. (You will see from the few pictures I have posted one of my favorite times is sunset (maybe it is because I see more of these???). Anyway it has caused me to reflect.

Below is one of my favorite shots of Sunset just outside the home of in-laws in the lovely little town of Springville.

These two are from the desert on one of our many trips across it on the way between California and Utah.

This one is from the front of our home in California.

Here is a shot for Ke'e beach on the west of Kauai looking down the Nepali coast.

Here is one from the backyard of our home in California.

Back to Sunrise in Hawaii. The purpose of the post today, as it may be for the next few times is to remind me to appreciate the beautiful world in which we live. Maybe all of us should look around more each day and really take in just how beautiful the world in all of its many splendors really is.

What are some of your favorite joys in nature? Let me know. I'm in the mood to take pictures. And while we are at it, we might just ponder how much we have been given, all the way through the Sunrises and Sunsets of our days and years of life.

A Baker's Dozen

I first realized what a baker's dozen was, I think, as a young man picking up baked goods at our little hometown bakery in Springville.

As a young boy some of my fondest memories revolve around the kitchen and my mother. For those who know me and the cooking prowess of my mother, this will come as no surprise.

My mother loved to bake. She loved the smiles it brought to family and friends. I remember summer nights when she would make doughnuts and sweet rolls. Because the house heated up she would open the doors. The sweet "nectars" of the kitchen would waft up and down the street, and invariably the neighbors would just happen to wander in.

"Always use the best ingredients", was the mantra she gave to my children. Don't save your best ingredients for someday, she would say, it might never come. Her grandchildren, particularly my daughters, learned this lesson well.

Mother would sift her flour, before measuring. It made for a better consistency and less lumps. I love sifted flour, it seemed light and airy, even though the net weight seemed a little less.

Brown sugar on the other hand had to be tamped down and compressed before measuring. Never did pick up why these two methods of measuring differed.

Some ingredients, like dried cereals, had to be shaken and allowed to settle, before you could be sure you had the true amount needed.

Chocolate chips on the other hand, well, with them the "cup" would frequently be overflowing.

Where am I going, you may ask. I ran across a scripture in the New Testament - on that I have read many times, but more recently, has become even more meaningful. I quote from Luke (6:38)

Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over....

As I have reflected on my life, I recognize how my Heavenly Father has given back to me. His has always been the baker's dozen. Not only that, the blessings in my cup have been pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

The past twelve months have seen marvelous changes in the lives of our family. There have been marriages, births, new jobs and relocations. The last event has necessitated that we travel to see any of our children.

We returned recently from Texas. Our daughter's oldest just learned to walk. With her hand in mine we walked to the park. Early in the morning we would read books.

Just prior to this we were in Utah for the wedding of our daughter Diana. We are so happy for her and her husband, Dan.

Before that we were in Montana, there for the blessing of our son's youngest child. Walks to the local creek, hikes in the mountain, and yes, reading stories together were some of our activities.

Idaho and it's parks await our visit. Before Julia and her family left, the parks around Sacramento found good use.

Our youngest in Utah just got her first piano (a love instilled in the children by their mother) and they are now finishing up their time in Provo, and who knows where they will end up (can we hope someplace in Northern California?).

You see, my cup runneth over. But not only is it running over, it truly has been pressed down and shaken together.