High Holy Days

     Agony in the Garden - Franz Swartz

My Easter preparations have become more sacred and deliberate this year. I have memorized the Living Christ and read The Gospels. I have studied "The Infinite Atonement" (Tad Callister) and attended the Bonneville Stake Class with Missy. 

I became acquainted with "Celebrating a Christ Centered Easter" (Emily Belle Freeman), after reading a review in the Deseret News. This book is a little treasure. I bought a copy for my family members and Annie and I made a banner for them - "Abide With Me". I planted Easter Grass which has been our tradition for decades, reminding us that Hope springs forth from darkness. Today I dyed red eggs using onion skins and will ask my parents to share their testimonies of Jesus Christ during Sunday Dinner. Serendipitously, Sister Kristen Oaks shared the story of the red eggs at the "Infinite Atonement" class the same day I had given the "Christ-Centered Easter" to Missy. The red eggs symbolize the "grandmothers"bearing witness. I want to bear my witness, as a mother and grandmother, daughter, sister, wife and friend that He lives, He loves us and His way is the path that leads to happiness. 

Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem 

                 Minerva Teichert 

Easter is the holiest of days- because he lives!  This week and always He will be our focus as we celebrate, rejoice and remember that He is the Redeemer of the World!

In an effort to more fully feel my Savior's love and draw closer to Him, I committed to memorize The Living Christ. I was visiting Matthew to celebrate his thirteenth birthday. The Mathisons began memorizing this holy document in preparation for Easter and I decided to join them. This endeavor has been a blessing and great comfort. The sacred words have become part of me as I have repeated them over and over.

  Christ in a Red Robe - Minerva Teichert

         THE LIVING CHRIST

 “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” dated January 1, 2000, was signed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth. 

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Our California Adventure

   

We rented a Balbo Island beach house for almost five weeks. It was a perfect location and time of year. 

I enjoyed ocean breezes, porch sitting, the hummingbird in her nest outside the kitchen window, reading, walking and running the island, biking the boardwalk, sunrise and sunsets, Crystal Cove beach walks and vistas, visits from Lindsleys, Borens, Brintons and Mathisons, Menloves and their Sunshine House hospitality, Minnie Marguerite Menlove's blessing day, Rebekah's birthday and dance performance at Disneyland, William Dean Menlove's third birthday at Disneyland, dinner with Taylor's in San Clemente, Kacey and Dan's Sunday visit,

lunch and shopping with Betsy and visiting with her family, celebrating our 39th anniversary, Newport Beach Temple sessions, Balboa Bars, Nektar, Shirley's, Bear Flag, the Beachcomer, Gulfstream, Houston's and The Shake Shack - contemplation, prayer and peace -Lots of love and happiness. 

 

My Heart

        Crystal Cove Sunrise

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

So Grateful for my Camille

My dear Camille was seriously injured in a bike accident Friday. 

She had surgery in St. George to clean her road rash. She is so brave. 

Today she had surgery to repair her shoulder. I love her so very much and know she will heal well. I am so grateful for the tender mercy that she will fully recover. As her husband David said, "her head and heart are perfect."

Her surgery went better than expected. Love and kisses to my darling girl and gratitude for her strength and goodness. I know she is beloved of her Father in Heaven and He is watching over her. 

Celebrating Women's History Month

Helen Keller - a model for achieving happiness amid hardship. 

“Helen Keller is the eighth wonder of the world,” Mark Twain declared after meeting her.  “She was born with a fine mind and a bright wit, and by help of Miss Sullivan’s amazing gifts as a teacher this mental endowment has been developed until the result is what we see to-day … a wonderful creature who sees without eyes, hears without ears, and speaks with dumb lips. She stands alone in human history."

"Happiness is the final and perfect fruit of obedience to the laws of life."

From "The Simplest Way to be Happy" 

"A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships."

From "The Simplest Way to be Happy"

"No doubt the reason is that character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

From "Helen Keller's Journal: 1936-1937"

Read more at http://national.deseretnews.com/article/3805/Helen-Keller-on-optimism-education-and-never-giving-up.html#qL5j2XlX1D4tBD0y.99

Irish Blessings

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  I have loved this Irish Blessing and have shared it often through the years. Wishing you the "Luck of the Irish" and blessings unmeasured. 

Celebrating 39 Years

                Treasure Island Beach

We have celebrated in high fashion on our "California Adventure". I'm grateful for a handsome, hardworking, generous husband - my best friend. 

"Grow old along with me - the best is yet to be."