Necessary Heat

As I pulled the decaying muck from my pitchfork, I could feel the heat through my gloves. I had been working this compost pile all spring…keeping it moist, turning it over and over; and yet I was surprised by the heat.

Did you know that an orange peel left setting alone in the desert heat will crinkle and dry, but take months…if not a year to decompose? Take that same orange peel and add a little moisture, pressure and a little oxygen; and a transformation takes place…the result is soil so rich, it is call black gold.


“The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.”

Simply hearing His word, or casually reading it keeps His true message dry…inactive in my daily life. But to ponder, and ask for that personal witness, creates a heat that changes the stagnant into eternal value.

“Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed. For instance, mothers can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children…. It requires a conscious effort to diminish distractions, but having the Spirit of revelation makes it possible to prevail over opposition and persist in faith through difficult days and essential routine tasks... Because personal revelation is a constantly renewable source of strength, it is possible to feel bathed in help even during turbulent times.”

Quotes taken from an address given by Julie B. Beck; “And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit”

my word against hers

As testimony fills my heart,
It dulls the pain of days.
For one brief moment, heaven’s view
Appears before my gaze. “Testimony”



I looked her in the eye and denied her accusation. Her ice blue stare shot back disgust, proof of her disbelief. I had no alibi, no way to convince her of my innocence. I had never felt so hurt and alone.

Since that moment I have been keenly aware of my lack of vocal persuasion. I’m not one that can suggest an idea and have everyone jump on board, in fact, it usually falls flat pretty fast. So when it comes to the things that matter most, the things that I know without a doubt, it is a relief to know that I am not alone; “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1Corrinthians 12:3), and that the Lord has a backup plan for our unconvincing words.

“When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force….”
“Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten” ~Joseph Fielding Smith Jr.

I will continue to fumble along, blurting when silence is called for and forgetting to speak until the conversation is passed; hopefully learning this skill of vocal communication, bu always knowing when truth is concerned, He's got my back.

A Gift from my Affordable Master Baker

I followed the recipe exactly, it wasn't difficult; only three ingredients, mix until combined, bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes..... so why did hers look so soft, moist, almost cake like, and mine were...well, hard, crisp, and wrong.

So I adjusted; I added some bulk and remixed. A little better, but far from what was expected. So I changed the size, making the cookies bigger, and again a little better...but then they started to stick to the cookie sheet. Did I need to bake them longer or maybe I should adjust the temperature. Maybe I didn't let them cool long enough, or maybe I let them cool too long.

I needed a master baker. Not just any master baker, a master baker that understands my oven, my altitude and humidity. A master baker who knows what flour I use and the importance of sifting or not. One who understands my aversion to adding too much sugar, and my lack of baking equipment. Unfortunately, I knew of no such baker, and couldn't afford one if I did.

I had to smile this morning when I read this:

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God
shall be unfolded unto them, by the Power of the Holy Ghost...." ~1Nephi 10:19

From One who knows all about where I am, my confusions and lack of equipment. It may be too late for the cookies, but a reminder of a precious gift is always timely.

"Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment." ~Moses 6:61