What a great life this has been.  I am happy.  I have a testimony of my Savior.  My covenants are intact.  I have achieved my goals.

I wanted to be five things:

1. A father:  I am the father of 10, grandfather of 56.
2. A horticulturist.
3. A temple ordinance worker:  I served 10 years.
4. A writer.
5. A woodworker.

I continue to work in all of those areas.  Life is perfect.  I live in the premier spot in all the world.  I am surrounded by mountains, family, the world's best soil, good people, and seasons.  Things just don't get better than this.  Best of all I am enveloped by the Spirit--the Holy Ghost.  I feel it and use it every day.

I am profoundly sorry for everyone who doesn't have the Holy Ghost in their lives.  They are like the dormant plants that are everywhere out there in this February countryside.  They are not currently productive.  They are awaiting a brighter, warmer day.  They are asleep.  They are like hibernating bears.  They're going to awake hungry.

 

The bears are now beginning to stir.  The plants are wanting to bud and to begin the process of photosynthesis.  Prophecies are being fulfilled, and the world is not only hurtling toward spring, but toward the glorious dawn that will be the Lord's Second Coming.

Everything and everyone is about to break dormancy.  Some already have.  I am not dormant.  I have the Holy Ghost.  I am writing, serving, doing family history, attending the temple, pruning, gardening, making my place beautiful, studying the scriptures, building a kitchen (for Sarah L.), being a father, and enjoying the daily ministrations of the Holy Ghost.

I'm awake and alive.  I am excited about so many things.  Everything around me testifies of the Savior.  I love Him.  He is the source of all of my incomprehensible blessings.

Why me?  Why not everyone?  Dormancy is not a good place to be.  Activity in the Church is like photosynthesis in a plant.  Growth happens.  Productivity happens.  Happiness happens.

Spring happens.  The plants and birds and bees and bears are all going to shortly awaken and bloom and sing and be joyful.

I am already blooming and singing and experiencing joy every day.