Search Results for: blog the spiritual garden

The Role of Spirituality in Secular Homeschooling

Teaching your child how to be an ethical being in the world is something that every parent wants to do. As they get older, we also want children who know how to seek quiet comfort when they are in need and find joy and wonder in everyday things. The spiritual side of parenting and homeschooling is important, yet those of us who are secular in nature often neglect to discuss it. How can you encourage your child to develop a sense of herself as a spiritual being in the world? Practice ethics with your child. Whether it’s adopting rescue animals … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: How Does Your Garden Grow?

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In the ten years I have been a member of this church, I knew that we were counseled to garden. I’ve heard a number of good reasons. But until I read this lesson, I did not know that we were so strongly encouraged to plant and produce. I really loved the quote from President Kimball on gardening. “We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property.” Not just a little bit, or a couple of flowers and a tomato plant or two. “All…that you feasibly can.” I’m not completely certain we need to … Continue reading →

Feeling the Spirit in Any Calling

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Some people may say that if you are called to a certain calling like Nursery, or Primary, that you may not get that much out of your Sundays. You are too busy teaching others to get anything out of it yourself. I think that is not true though. It is all about what we put into it, and what we want to take away that depends on how much we feel the Spirit. This past week in Primary, I felt the spirit very strongly. I did not have to do the sharing time. It was one of my counselor’s turns. … Continue reading →

The Earthaven Eco-Village

After watching the Dancing Rabbit Eco-Village episode of “30 Days” yesterday, I decided to do a bit more research on other eco-villages. The first one I found was Earthaven, in the Southern Appalachians of North Carolina. This eco-village was founded in 1994 and covers 320 acres near Ashville. Right now, Earthaven has 60 members (50 of who live on the land), but they are hoping to grow to 150 people with 54 homesites. Eventually, they hope to have neighborhoods, businesses, orchards, market gardens, and wetlands. Right now, they have roads, footpaths, bridges, campgrounds, ponds, constructed wetlands, off-the-grid power systems, gardens, … Continue reading →

Meanings of Flowers, Trees, and Fruit on Gravestones

Genealogists who have started visiting graveyards in order to continue their research have likely seen some strange things. While most gravestones contain the name, date of birth, and date of death of the deceased, not all gravestones stop there. There may be poetic inscriptions, or a portrait of the person. Many gravestones also have images carved into them, or depicted on them. It’s not too hard to guess that an angel symbolizes rebirth, or a connection between God and man. Everyone knows that skulls or skeletons symbolize death. But, what about the images that are plants, flowers, and foods? It … Continue reading →

Warm, Welcoming and Wise

Finally I’ve returned from my various excursions into other areas to come back to the alphabetical marriage blog. I believe we’re up to W. Warm Show your spouse the warmth of your love each day. Welcoming Welcome them with a kiss and a hug when they come home or whenever you have been apart, even if they’ve only been out in the garden for a while. Let them know you’re glad they’re there. Also be welcoming to others and welcome them into your home. As we share our lives with others, they will see the way we are living and … Continue reading →

Conference Center Turns Ten Years Old

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I don’t know if the last decade has gone as quickly for you as it has for me, but can you believe that the Conference Center is ten years old this year? Ten years ago this month, the first General Conference was held in this historic building, giving a break to the much smaller (but still impressive) Tabernacle. The Conference Center has become part of Salt Lake City and definitely part of Temple Square. After a decade of use, it’s still as beautiful, inspiring, and useful as the day it was completed. One of my favorite features of the Conference … Continue reading →

Simple Ways to Say “Thanks” With Your Preschooler This Thanksgiving

I work with small children. One of the few ideals that I brought into my life as a parent was that I wanted to have a child who would be polite. Of course, like all of my parenting ideals, that one is regularly crushed when my child loudly announces at the playground, “I want that swing! I don’t want you to be on that swing! Get off the swing!” Ah, four-year-olds. However, through interminable repetition, I do seem to have a child who says please and thank you. Please and thank you are very important in our house. So when … Continue reading →

A Time for Resolutions

New Year is a time for resolutions. Many are made but not so many are kept. So what is the point of resolutions? Resolutions are helpful if they focus our attention on areas that need to be changed. For example, last night, New year’s Eve here in Australia Mick and I resolved to get back into the habit of our regular bible study and prayer time together. When family is here or other things are happening, sadly it is all too easy for it to get pushed aside. So we’re looking at a study that focuses on different passages to … Continue reading →

Weight a Minute! Getting a Life Coach

I’ve frequently heard of celebrities and other rich-type people hiring personal trainers, personal stylists, personal dressers, personal assistants—all these persons who personally see to their every need. In some ways, that sounds fabulous. I could use a maid, a cook, a nanny, a driver, a gardener . . . well, okay, I don’t really have a garden, but I have a flower bed, and I think that counts. What I really need, though, is a life coach. Someone who can take a look at my life and clearly see what I need to do to get where I need to … Continue reading →