Easter 2015

 The 'Hunt' this year was typical of past years.  The two youngest awoke at 7:00 am.

 We distracted them with breakfast and stories until a little after 8:00 when we allowed them to wake up their older siblings.  (Only one chose not to get up and join us - His loss!)

Everyone scurries around trying to find as many candy-filled eggs as possible.  Eggs were everywhere and there was plenty for all.

 There may have even been too many.  #4 quickly filled up his basket and resorted to storing the remainder of his eggs down his tucked-in shirt.

 For some reason, while inside his shirt, they all opened up and he had quite the fun time getting everything out.

 Once all the eggs have been found, everyone opens their eggs and removes the loot from inside. 

 Some of the children mix all their candy together-

Others sort and separate each individual kind.

The eggs are collected and stored until next year when we'll leave them out again for the Easter Bunny to fill and hide once more.

My favorite part of Easter isn't the candy or the eggs (although this year I wasn't even tempted to steal any treats from the children's baskets).  My favorite part of Easter is taking some time to reflect on my Savior Jesus Christ and what He did for me.  He died so that I might live.  He suffered and bled from every pore so that I could be washed clean of every sin and return again into the presence of my loving Heavenly Father.  Without Jesus Christ there would be no hope, and no peace.

(source)

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified. -That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled, and died.

I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine.

That He should extend His great love unto such as I.

Oh, it is wonderful - wonderful to me.

-Hymn 193

Easter 'Bonnet'

Wordless Wednesday:

Who Killed the Eggs?

Saturday between conference sessions, we dyed Easter eggs.

 I will never forget the time years ago when my oldest (now 18) was just a little boy (maybe Kindergarten age).  We were getting ready to dye eggs and he innocently and very seriously asked, "Who killed the eggs so we could DIE them?"

I think of this every time we color eggs.

 Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) use to host an Easter egg coloring party each year.  Some how this tradition died.  After the children begged us to please let them paint eggs, Clint and I decided this was a tradition we were going to resurrect, starting this year.

 "The practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive" L Tom Perry

 We hard-boiled six dozen eggs (one dozen for each child), then we layered the table and floor with old tablecloths, and everyone set to work creating the egg-cellent works of art.

Did you know the egg is a symbol of new life and resurrection?

Because He Lives!

This week we are celebrating Easter at our house.  Starting last week, during our morning devotionals, we have been learning about the Savior's last week before His crucifixion and resurrection.  We are using the timeline found in the April 2011 Friend magazine (HERE). 

Last night we also had an Easter FHE.  (We also had a total melt-down/tantrum right before the opening prayer.  It was pretty awesome.  Finally a game of trampoline dodge-ball was able to get all the aggression out and we were able to move on with the rest of the evening.) #5 was in charge of the lesson.  She shared the Church's new Easter video- Because He Lives!  She then told us the story President Faust used in his talk, The Atonement:  Our Greatest Hope.

 "He took my whipping for me"

(Cute video of this story HERE)

Some years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley told “something of a parable” about “a one room school house in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough no teacher had been able to handle them.

“Then one day an inexperienced young teacher applied. He was told that every teacher had received an awful beating, but the teacher accepted the risk. The first day of school the teacher asked the boys to establish their own rules and the penalty for breaking the rules. The class came up with 10 rules, which were written on the blackboard. Then the teacher asked, ‘What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’

“‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response.

“A day or so later, … the lunch of a big student, named Tom, was stolen. ‘The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old.’

“As Little Jim came up to take his licking, he pleaded to keep his coat on. ‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’

“The boy took off the coat. He had no shirt and revealed a bony little crippled body. As the teacher hesitated with the rod, Big Tom jumped to his feet and volunteered to take the boy’s licking.

“‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’ the teacher asked.

“After five strokes across Tom’s back, the rod broke. The class was sobbing. ‘Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. “Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!”’” 

President Hinckley then quoted Isaiah: (Isaiah 53:4-5)

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. …

“… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

I am grateful for the Savior.  No matter what I've done or what I've not done in my life.  No matter who I am or who I was, He is here for me, for you, for all of us.  No matter what.

He Lives!

He is Risen!

Tell it out with joyful voice.

He has burst his three days' prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

-Joachim Neander

HAPPY EASTER

Today as I reflect on the Resurrection of our Savior, my Savior, I am filled with an immense amount of gratitude and joy.

I join with Job in proclaiming that I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!  

(Job 19:25)

EASTER VIDEO HERE