I'm back! And blossoming (at least trying to)

I'll do more for the blog later, but for now I wanted to just say that I'm back in business. I have really noticed the difference in my life during the last couple of months when I haven't been blogging. There's something so good for the spirit that comes in sharing with people we love the things that are going on in our lives. (And I love reading yours - so - golden rule...)
What I'm about to confess is really silly, I know, but it is, none-the-less, true. I've wanted to start a new blog for quite awhile now. I wanted to leave the summer one as it ended, so needed to start again. But I couldn't think of a name I wanted. The Kalamazoo one was instantaneous inspiration, but I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to name this one. So for at least a month now I've delayed the blog (and many great stories/experiences) while I tried to find the right name. There were just so many things I wanted it to reflect. [That's the silly part.]
Then finally it came. I could just put it and let you figure out its many meanings one your own. But being me, I will explain.
In Isaiah 35:1 it says "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." I have heard this scripture many times to refer to Utah. It is definitely a desert (especially evident when I come back after being beautiful places like Michigan). But it has, and does, blossom and can be very beautiful. Right now fall is here and it's gorgeous. Especially going up the canyon. So, I wanted my title to reflect being in Utah, and to me it does. It also demonstrates one of my goals for this fall - seeing the incredible beauty in a place that has become so commonplace to me - pink mountains in the evenings, huge granite slopes, sunsets over Utah lake, beautiful flower gardens (even after the first frost), awesome sunsets through Rock Canyon, full moons that are fuller here than anywhere I've ever been (maybe because I'm out late here more than anywhere?), etc...
Also, the scripture in D&C 49:24 refers to the Lamanites blossoming as the rose. This is less important for my blog. but I had thought about it having something in Spanish in it, to refer to that part of my life. No Spanish, but the title reflects what I hope to help happen for the Lamanite descendants.
If you read Isaiah 27:6, 35:1, and D&C 49:24 and 117:7 you'll see that all the scriptures refer to the joy that comes when those who have left the Savior come back to him. So, my title alludes to a work that is more important to me than anything else I do. And hopefully is true of my own life.
Finally, likening scriptural phrases and looking for symbols, I have long really loved 2 Nephi 8:3 (quoting more Isaiah) - go read it (or look it up on-line: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/8). I like to replace Zion with Ruth and know that the Savior will comfort me and make my deserts into a garden of Eden (in my soul). So, I believe the blossoming as a rose can apply to me as a person as well. And in the many things I'm doing at this time, I'm trying to blossom and to become the instrument the Lord needs me to be. When school and all the other things I'm doing (especially things I don't see the purpose for, but feel to do them), I try to remember that I'm in the process of "blossoming as the rose".
So, join me this year as I learn and grow and try to share my love for you all, so we can all come closer to the Lord and blossom together.