Nothing New, Nothing Old

This weekend I had the rewarding opportunity to listen to the prophets of our church. I love hearing their personal testimonies of Jesus Christ. Their stories make me feel like I am 'normal' and that I can do better in my commitment to live the gospel. I especially love their words of encouragement during these times of insecurity and trouble. I felt that my testimony was affirmed in their words and for that, I am grateful. There was no need for alarm or voice of warning. Though there was nothing new in their messages, there was also nothing old or redundant spoken. The feelings of power and faith that came to me were new and exactly what my soul needed on this day in this time. It is a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel that it can solve our problems in all times of need. This I know is true.

RESPITE

I woke up to the sounds of a summer storm enveloping my first encounter of day. The early morning light had failed to awaken me, for gray clouded skies dimmed the room and gave the impression of night. Time eluded my thoughts and I refused a glance at the clock. I lay back and listened to the soothing rhythmic patter of rain drops on the tile roof that lulled me back to dreamland. A crack of thunder cascaded through the silence, yet did not startle my hearts slow relaxed beating. I literally felt relieved as I watched the tree branches swish, swish in the wet wind. I let the rollicking movement rock me back into a restful slumber. For now the heat wave’s respite released me from a prison from which I gladly escaped.

HEAT WAVE

I live in a land of Heat Waves. Maybe this happens to you too? You get all sweaty by the time you get into the car in the morning because the enclosed garage is now at least 150 degrees. Heatwave! Work Day's done and you head out to your car, heatwave! The car was left to bake in the sun all day and the interior is most likely about 200 degrees. Heatwave! You'd get the car moving quicker, but the gear shift is so hot you have to hold a kleenex around the handle to put the car into reverse. You'd love to go faster to get the engine going, but you're in a school zone and have to slump along at 25 mph. Finally you get on the freeway and the a/c is working good. Darn! You have to stop at the store and do the shopping. Lifting, loading and pushing groceries in the store and then out to the car, that is now again hotter than..."popcorn", makes a sunburned face look pale in comparison to the one you have now, Heatwave! Finally home, you pull into the 110 degree garage, again, and take about five trips to get the groceries into the kitchen. You hit the a/c button on the wall each time you walk by to lower the temperature just a little bit more, Heatwave! You'd put the ice cream away, but you need water first. After refreshing yourself you get it all put away, and then it's time to cook dinner. Heat wave over the stove! You get my drift, actually blast of heat, again! Time to work out. Yeah, that's right, you need to get more sweaty. The bench press is in the garage, heatwave! The sweat trickles in cool rivulets down your back, so it's okay, you have a fan and the reward is a cool shower. Then you sleep, heatwave! and change nighties a couple of times... (Only someone over 50 understands!) You get up the next morning, take a nice cool shower, apply your makeup, and for the final touch, get out the blow dryer to style your hair. Whrrrr the hot air blasts those wet locks into place as you brush and style. Wa La! You look great, but now you are sweating like a pig. Heatwave! Is it hot in here? You call out to no one. You dab your newly made up face with a wet towel, toss some powder under your armpits, fan yourself in a futile attempt to cool off and head out into another HEATWAVE! I love Arizona!