Easter

Good Morning!

I assume you all realize that I am writing this on April 1st, but it's no April Fools joke! I wanted to write about easter! April Fools! :) Just kidding. 

"Yesterday" if you want to be very technical, was a beautiful Easter Sunday. The sun was up and out and the Daffodils were all in bloom. We actually started out our celebration on Saturday--to indulge the commercialism in all of us. Here are some pictures.

(Friday) Some woman, coloring eggs with my kid. :) 

The hunt is on!

Bentley Couldn't decide if he should eat it or scramble it from within.

His decision has been reached.  Settled for a scowl.

He may be small, but he's got this egg thing down! The plastic eggs got a shake, but these real eggs were great for hitting together! And for some reason...he couldn't eat them?

Hunting with Dad. :D too cute.

Ah, the egg OPENS and then I find Candy I hate. Next year, Dad buys the candy.

We had fun searching for eggs. There are more plastic eggs just hanging around in some places. I hid some for Jake and kind of just threw Bentley's all over the house. I couldn't justify doing the egg hunt on Sunday just to promote commercialism, but I'm working on a some kind of symbolic skew. What I have so far is that eggs represent new life and that we search the scriptures, and thus, after the Savior. :) I thought it was pretty good, but, you know, It's a start.

Today we held our first official Easter at home! It was just Bentley, Jake, Brooklyn, the Lord and I. And we had our first Easter meal. I made ham, grilled asparagus, rolls, mashed potatoes and Deviled eggs--which inevitably we forgot. ha ha.  We attended church and discussed the gathering of Zion and The First Great Commandment (a talk given by Jeffrey R Holland of the quorum of the 12 apostles) So, we didn't directly speak of Easter at church, but that's okay. Leaves more stuff to do at home.

I really liked talking about the First Great Commandment, though. As we talked I came to the realization that we really only have two choices in this life: 1. Follow Christ. 2. Follow Satan. It seems like there are way too many choices in this life and now every choice is about sides. What political or social group is being represented and what their agenda is, what your ethical view is, etc... but Christ has given us the key! You can tell which of your two choices is being presented by you by asking this question: Does the action, thought or ideal lead me toward Christ and is in keeping with the doctrine He has given us? If the answer is yes, then you are on the right path.
If the answer is no, don't shake your "magic 8 ball" and ask again later. Accept that you are looking at the wrong side of our battle and select a different path. You shouldn't be asking a "magic" anything to begin with ;)

Along this line of thinking the question was posed. Do we really love the Lord? Do we understand what it means to love the Lord with all our heart, all our might, mind  and strength? 

Let me pose the question a different way.

Which Loved Best? By Joy Allison

"I love you, Mother," said little John.
Then forgetting his work, his cap went on.
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his Mother the wood to bring.
"I love you, Mother," said little Nell.
"I love you more than tongue can tell."
"Then she teased and pouted half the day,
Till Mother rejoiced when she went to play.

"I love you, Mother," said little Fan.
"Today I’ll help you all I can."
To the cradle then she did softly creep,
And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room.Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

"I love you, Mother," again they said.
Three little children, going to bed.
How do you think that Mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?

:) The Lord has said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

So I just want you to take a moment and ask yourself.

Do I love the Lord with all my Might?

With all my mind?

With all my strength?

With all of my heart?

Like in the poem, will the Lord know that I love him by my actions?

Today is a day for celebration. A day for remembrance. Jesus Christ, the son of God suffered in the garden of Gethsemane and was hung on a cross. He then lay in a tomb for three days and then he was resurrected. 

And in doing so he loosed the bonds of sin

He overcame death and hell

He experienced all our sorrow and suffering and joys down to our minutest pains

He provided a way for us to be forgiven

He made families eternal, so we can be with loved ones again

He bought us with His blood

He paid the debt we can never repay

And all He asks is that we keep His commandment. Starting with the first and great commandment. Love the Lord with all thy heart, with all thy might, with all thy  mind and with all thy Strength.

:D Happy Easter everyone. I pray that this Easter will aid our deeper conversion to the Lord and his Gospel. Let us all love the Lord a little deeper this year. 

I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ.