Weeds or Flowers?

There once was a house that sat neglected and alone. It had not always been that way. In times past it had been a beautiful home full of laughter and joy. It was adorned with flowers and green grass. It held the hopes and dreams of the families that filled its walls. As time went on things changed. Gone were the flowers and green grass and left in their place were weeds and various shades of brown. In fact, the only green in the yard now could be found in the pool. Instead of laughter and joy, the house was filled with emptiness and silence. The hopes and dreams too had faded. The time would soon come for this house to become a home again. Many families visited this house but instead of seeing its hidden beauty they saw what was missing. Time continued to pass and the house sat empty. One special day a very fortunate family came to visit this house. Instead of seeing what is wasn't, they saw what it could be. That's when it all began.....slowly the life and beauty began to return to this house. After many hours and lots of love this house evolved into what it was originally designed to be - BEAUTIFUL! Aren't we all a little like this home? At times we are neglected or even difficult to love. We all have both weeds and flowers inside of us waiting to grow. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone could see our hidden beauty? For the Lord created us all which makes each of us beautiful. Sometimes we even have a hard time seeing the gifts we have within ourselves. Just as there are mansions and palaces to admire, we often look at others admiring their gifts wishing they could be our own....but what could be more beautiful and amazing than what the Lord has designed for us? He wants each us to find our own gifts and see the beauty we have each been given. It is up to us what we find - the weeds or the flowers. True joy and happiness comes in to our lives when we choose to water the flowers both in ourselves and those around us.

BEFORE......

Can you see the demo dust in the pictures? What a mess!

We took out the tramp!

AFTER........

Our "front yard" or as Talan calls it....NIELSON PARK!

MY DAD

SUMMER OF 2008 AT THE RANCH

My dads favorite place

I THOUGHT ALL DADDIES WERE THE SAME

When I was a little girl I thought all daddies were the same,

I thought they all were kind and loving and spoke in gentle ways.

Didn't all daddies give you bear hugs and sit you on their laps,

and have you rub their whiskers or wear boots and cowboy hats?

I thought all daddies loved horses and going on long trail rides,

especially with their family and loved ones riding by their side.

Didn't all daddies teach you kindness and to think of others first,

and always to be honest, even when it hurt?

Well, I grew and grew and my daddy became my dad,

and I soon began to realize he was no ordinary man.

No, not all dads are their daughters heroes both for love and tenderness,

or a gentle giant like mine, who filled his life with love and service. 

Not all dads would take you skiing but never go themselves,

but wait patiently at the bottom as you came screaming down the hill.

Not all dads made you feel special and always have time to spare,

even one as busy as mine, working and serving everywhere.

Not all dads would start the first day of school with a video camera in hand,

asking those funny questions behind a silly grin.

Not all dads teach you by example, both with action and spoken word,

or blessed you with their wisdom and genuine concern.

He was loved for the dad he was but how grand he would be,

for the children who called him grandpa who he cherished tenderly.

The most special thing about my dad is the legacy he leaves,

which is following the Savior and being together as a family for all Eternity.

BY:  JENNIFER NIELSON

Daddy/daughter outing....he loved sleeping under the stars.

NO TENTS ALLOWED!

My dad marrying off his teenage daughter to her Knight in Shining Armor!

A very special day....I had just received my Patriarchal Blessing!

Graduation Day!  One whole year before the wedding day.... I matured

very quickly that year (or maybe not)! 

I will cherish the memories I have with my dad and the comfort that I will 

see him again someday!  I LOVE YOU DAD!!!