The True Meaning of Easter

This is what I celebrate at Easter. It is so much more than bunnies and chocolate, or even new outfits. This is what I tried to teach my girls and now Ellie and Hunter. Because of Christ, I can live a hope filled life. I can repent. I will live again. I receive strength and comfort.

I will forever be in debt. I will show by love through obedience and service.

Elder Holland:  “Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we‍ do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ‍ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” ²⁰

My other plea at Easter time is that these scenes of Christ’s lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never‍ be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa‍ in our present day. As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection‍ Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” ²¹ ‍ for surely that is how He stood by us when it was‍ unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

March Collage

Here is our month in photos for March.

Spring break and Easter crafts: jelly bean butterfly, wind sock, resurrection garden; Hunter was student of the week and he lost his two front teeth; renaissance festival and Ellie and Hunter’s first time at the temple.

Easter Eve

We brought back an old tradition—coloring eggs. That was directly due to Ellie and Hunter being with us. We gave up coloring the eggs a few years ago, when our excitement for that waned. It is a little funny, we had to look up online how to do it because none of us could remember for sure. And I didn’t have red so, they were all in the blue and green family!

But it was fun just the same.

And while they were doing eggs   , I was decorating cupcakes.

Spring Is Here

I took a walk around the yard with my camera to document the appearance of spring. I was having fun playing with the aperture settings on my camera as well. 

Renaissance Festival

It is another year and another day spent at the Renaissance Festival. I think we have seen everything we have wanted to see and will take a break for a few years before going back. I have loved going, and have loved going with my family-enjoying our time spent together, laughing and making memories. This year as I walked around I couldn’t help but feel the stark difference of how I want the world to be and how the world is. At one point, I even thought, if Christ comes today, this is not where I want him to find me. Kind of silly, maybe even a little dramatic…hey, that could be a description of me…but the thought made me stop and evaluate. We had a great day and enjoyed watching our favorite shows: the nuns, the whip guy, the balancing act and finding interesting character and fun things to try as we walked around the town that takes you back in time.

 

    

Weekend Away

We went to the Renaissance Festival again this year, with a little twist. Not only do we have the kids with us, but we decided to stay at a hotel the night before for some added fun. Maryn met us after work and the first thing we did was get into the pool. It was heated so we didn’t have to worry about the water, but it was hard to get out because it was windy! After we finished swimming we went to a restaurant that was close and after our meal, vowed to never return! It was just not that great of food or service. Dangerous dining doesn’t always work out, but it is still fun.

It turned out to be quite a bit of work to get the permission and work out the details to have the kids go with us, but it turned fun. I think we will have to start a lot earlier to be able to have them go to the reunion with us in July. 

Resurrection Gardens

I found this idea on the internet as I searched for projects to make during spring break and I loved it right away. I knew the kids would love it too. I planned to do it today in hopes that the grass to grow in time for  Easter Sunday. I love that it can teach so many of the important lessons we learn from the wonderful gift of the atonement-his time on the cross, the service rendered for his tomb, the grass that can represent re-birth and of course, the emptiness of the tomb that fills our life with hope. It is a special way to honor our Savior.