THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Our home teacher, Boyd, who has been our home teacher for five years--lucky us, we hope his is our home teacher forever--has brought us an Amaryllis bulb for Christmas every year for five years. Three years ago I forgot to bring them inside before the frost and so lost those bulbs. These three are from this year and two years before.

I started watering them in January. They grew almost daily.



Look at this. They are so anxious for the sunlight they stretch toward the window. When I see this I turn them.

This clock does not work. It's a reproduction from 1776.

This clock does not work either. I have four clocks in the house that do not work but I I keep them all. I keep everything--some of you know that. (Even if you don't want to be my friend anymore I won't give you up. I'm stubborn, that way.) Actually one these clocks would work if I'd wind it. Two need new mechanisms. One runs fast for three days, right on time for one to two days and slow for three days. It belonged to Grandfather Rasmussen and I love it. I think it just needs a new spring but I don't know where to get one.

This red bud is pretty, don't you think?

This is my favorite photo. The bloom in front is from the three year old bulb--I think-- and I don't know if its going to bloom at all. It's been at this stage for days but its so beautiful I don't care if it doesn't bloom, I think its simply perfect, just as a bud.

This is from this year's bulb (2007).

Thank you, Boyd, greatest home teacher in the world, for the wonderful blooms.

PS Remember how the blooms stretched toward the sun? That's what I want to do too--only it is spelled "Son." I want to stretch toward the Light of Christ and be bathed in his goodness. Then my growth will be just like the Amaryllis. Even if I don't bloom, like that one might not, it will be worth it. I will be better, more complete, at peace.