Planting A Seed...

I want to share a copy of a post I composed on my side blog and add some more pics. So I apologize if any of you have already read this post there.

I had an unexpected learning moment recently. I guess as I pray daily to see things through more "open eyes", I'm more open to the Spirit teaching me in every day moments. It helps to ask :)

 

This year was my first year planting a flower garden. I've never been in a place where I had flower beds that I was permitted to manage on my own. As excited as I was, I was equally inexperienced. After planting some rookie flowers, I waited with much anticipation. As the summer grew on...my flowers did not. My perennials got too much sun, my daffodils not enough water...and with a demanding life inside the house, I failed to find enough time to weed and nurture my garden. I knew that I had little reason to be upset because it was a lack of effort and dedication on my part. But it was a disappointment I didn't want experience again.

I started reading articles on gardening and decided next year would be different. I had a plan. With help from my wonderful and willing husband, we added a small terrace to our flower bed and I bought a LOT of bulbs for fall planting. I've put a lot of effort into planning out our flower bed and I have much higher hopes for beauty and success next spring.

But after all the planting was done, my level of excitement took a heavy drop when I realized how long I had to wait to see the fruits of my labors. It would be 7-8 months before the beauty I'm so thrilled about would actually grow before my eyes. I might as well have purchased 200 presents and buried them in the ground before unwrapping them.

Then it hit me. Planting fall bulbs is a lot like planting a seed of faith. We may all have faith inside...but when we are hindered by moments of failure, tragedy, transgressions, pain or disappointments, we have the opportunity to start over. To build again. To replant those seeds, nurture them, pray and watch them grow. I've learned that it doesn't matter where we've been, what matters is where we're willing to go & what we're willing to do to get there. When I think back to a time in my life a few years ago and I look at where I am now because of the faith I chose to replant, I am so grateful for the beauty that surrounds my life today. I have reeped the blessings of my willing faith, diligent work and earnest desires. My testimony has grown incredibly. My faith has been strengthened. And most importantly, it was worth the wait. Just like my spring flowers...it is ALWAYS worth the wait.

“Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree.” There is much we can do to influence and expand the endowment of faith we receive through the Holy Spirit."
-Elder D. Todd Christofferson

I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to continue to grow. The opportunity to start over and know that we WILL be rewarded both temporally and spiritually. And those kind of rewards only make us want to continue to plant over and over again. I want to be good down to my core. I want to walk tall in the face of adversity because I have faith that the Lord is on my side and will carry me through. I want to be an example of faith to my children so that they too, are guided in this life by their own seeds of faith. An unshakeable faith is what I desire to grow.

 

I'm so lucky to have such a willing and helpful husband! It doesn't hurt that he's super handsome :)

 Kayson LOVED gardening. He begged to help with everything. Even if mom did have to straighten all his bulbs :)

 And the girls did their part by keeping each other entertained!

Here are the bulbs we planted this year.

Hyacinth

(red only)

 

 Perfect Blend Tulips

(About 100!!)

 Oriental Carpet Border Lilies

 Giant Purple Alliums

 And I'm looking forward most to these!!

Camelot Rose Foxglove

 

In the spring I'm really excited to plant our entire backyard garden with Zinnias!