Easter Morning

The Man of the House arrived home last night after a week spent with his mom and brother on the coast of Oregon.  Visiting relatives, cleaning family graves, reconnecting.

 Easter is an amazing time - how I love these 'stopping points' throughout the year.  Times to pause, ponder and pray.  We live such busy lives, full of many good things.  But I believe in the good, better, best principle.  It's the challenge of this era in which we live to choose and choose wisely what will fill our time.

 For me, personally, I try to fill my life with family, work, wholesome foods, books and activities. Even within these categories, there is still the good, better, best principle to apply.  It will always be a matter of finding balance.

This Easter morn, I am filled with gratitude for
Quiet spring mornings
Familiar faces of those I love
The gift of a strong body and mind
The usefulness of work and the brilliant effect it has on one's soul
Green life in the form of trees and grasses, newly sprouting vegetables and flowers
The comfort of a good night's sleep beside my husband
The sparkling eyes of a grandchild enjoying Easter's bounties
The laughter of my mother and her good sense of humor
My sister's constant, patient friendship
The opportunity to watch my children grow and mature
 Nieces and nephews whom I adore
Family....with all their quirks and weaknesses....they are beautiful to me
Peace of living in the country
The Atonement

The Atonement- Christ's gift to us.  At- One- Ment.  To be at one with His teachings, His wisdom.
Truly, in those rare moments when I think I have it, think I have reached my goals in living His ways, I know true bliss and deep peace.  
This may last for a few minutes to a few weeks as I am only human and mortal life has challenges.  But I have tasted it- and know it for the great gift it is if only in remembrance.


Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11: 28-30

Easter Weekend

We had a peaceful, lovely Easter weekend.  

Most of the extended family gathered together for a meal, an egg hunt and games.

Great memories!

Here are photos from the weekend:

Spring Sabbath

What is it about certain Sunday mornings in April?  The weather has been crazy all week, even up until Saturday evening.  
Then suddenly, Sunday morning, the world is at peace.  

It has let out a sigh, welcomed the sun and the birds are out rejoicing.
It feels as though all of nature is hushed in remembrance of another April,  when Christ gave His life for us and broke the bonds of death.

In a recent address by C. Scott Grow, he spoke about Christ's atonement.  
Below are excerpts from his address, which I invite you to read in full  here.

"...The Messiah came to redeem men from the Fall of Adam. Everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ points toward the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah, the Son of God.

The plan of salvation could not be brought about without an atonement. “Therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.”

The atoning sacrifice had to be carried out by the sinless Son of God, for fallen man could not atone for his own sins.     The Atonement had to be infinite and eternal―to cover all men throughout all eternity.

...As the Only Begotten Son of God, He inherited power over physical death. That allowed Him to sustain His life as He suffered “even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great [was] his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.” 

...Not only did He pay the price for the sins of all men, but He also took “upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” And He took “upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” 

The Savior felt the weight of the anguish of all mankind―the anguish of sin and of sorrow. “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”

...Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed.

...There are times when each of us needs “relief from feelings of guilt that come from mistakes and sins.”  As we repent, the Savior removes the guilt from our souls.

Because of His infinite love, Jesus Christ invites us to repent so that we will not have to suffer the full weight of our own sins:

“Repent—repent, lest … your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.” 

...When we sin, Satan tells us we are lost. In contrast, our Redeemer offers redemption to all—no matter what we have done wrong—even to you and to me.

As you consider your own life, are there things that you need to change? Have you made mistakes that still need to be corrected?

If you are suffering from feelings of guilt or remorse, bitterness or anger, or loss of faith, I invite you to seek relief. Repent and forsake your sins. Then, in prayer, ask God for forgiveness. Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged. Forgive those who have wronged you. Forgive yourself.

...Immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study. As you do so, you will feel the sanctifying influence of the Spirit. The Savior said, “Sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands … before me, that I may make you clean.” 

...I testify that Jesus is the Christ—the Healer of our souls. I pray that each of us will choose to respond to the Savior’s invitation: “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?”  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
From 'The Miracle of the Atonement' by C. Scott Grow