Easter is Here!

This is a story I wrote years ago because I couldn't find a book  at the time to teach young children about Easter.  I made it into a book and we pull it out to read every Easter season.  It's simple, yet hopefully teaches the meaning of Easter and it's truly about Jesus. 

Easter is here...what does that mean? A time of beginnings.  It's time for Spring!


Easter is here..what do we do?  Color Easter eggs like pink, yellow and blue!




Easter is here..how do we have fun?  We go on an Easter egg hunt out int the sun!



Easter is here...who do we think of?  Jesus our Savior and all of His love.

Easter is Here because of Jesus our Friend, who gave His life that we may live again.

Easter eggs and the renewal of Spring, help us remember our Resurrected King.

 

Happy Easter

Monday Musings: What About the One?

Our family went to see "Beauty and the Beast" Friday night.  We met some friends up in Salt Lake, had dinner, and went to the theater.

In order to capture the city experience, we decided to take Trax. (Also, to avoid parking issues).  AS we were waiting at the train station, we saw man who was homeless.  He was in a wheelchair and  pushing  another cart around with a paraphenalia of random items.  He was taking food out of the garbage can and eating it.  He was also singing Primary songs. 

Needless to say, we were a little freaked out and uncomfortable.  Me, well I took the amused approach.   I chuckled at his rendition of "Give said the Little Stream" and tried to lighten up the situation.

Yet that night, I couldn't get that man out of mind.  Was he crazy?  Was he lonely?  Probably.   Was there something more I could have done?  I don't know.  As a family, we try to donate to different organizations that help the poor.   Is that enough?

Yet what about the "One"?  What is our responsibility?   I know we need to use common sense and we need  to protect ourselves. But what about a smile? Instead of rushing past him like he had leprosy as I head off to a nice restaurant and theater, couldn't I have  just smiled or even acknowledged him as a child of God?  Why couldn't of I done that? 

Interestingly enough, Beauty and the Beast is about judging and labeling.  Belle was "odd".  Her dad was "Crazy Old Maurice".  The beast  actually acted like a beast until he changed inside .  In the end we see his physical transformation.  We learn that behind the labels and outward appearances are real human beings with feelings and a need for love just like us.

So, I hope the next time I come across a similar situation,  I will not label him as the "Crazy old Homeless Man".  I will see him as a child of God and I will act in a way that emulates the Savior:  With love and kindness to the "One".
 
Please listen to my new unofficial theme song by Janice Kapp Perry:

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love"  Mother Teresa
 

Monday Musings: Sick and Tired

Well if you know me at all, you know lately (like the past 5 years) I've been feeling "blech" (that's a medical term you know)  I know I need to eat better, exercize, get more sleep, de stress, eat more organic, meditate, watch my carbs and fats but that all takes exhausting work.  I'm attempting Weight Watchers for the nth time, started an exercize program again, but still... Blech.   I even had my yearly physical, and according to the doctor I am healthy.  'What Relief!' I think. 

Now I don't feel blech 24/7 but enough that it interferes with my some of my life.  I do have good days and those are great! 

This past week, the weather was beautiful so I went on a bike ride on the Provo trail.  It was almost magical. So I plan on continuing that because it does something to me:  Emotional, physical and spiritual rejuvanation.

Well, surfing the web this past week (which made me want to nap) I came across a song by Michael Mclean that is my new unofficial theme song.  I would like to share it with my oh-so-vast blog audience [To all you who do take time to read this, thank you!!] to express  my feelings:

Kenneth Cope - I will forgive (Mormon)

Steven Wright Quote

"If you can't hear me, it's because I'm in parantheses"

How Do I Love Thee?

February Virtue

Love

“Love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). On this simple phrase hangs the success of every marriage and family. In the light of Christ’s love we see our family’s divine potential. We love them with all our heart, soul, and mind. And as we do, our ordinary family is transformed into an extraordinary one. (Church website)

Love … comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles.” (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin)

In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. (President Dieter f. Utchdorf)

“As You Wish!!! ( Princess Bride)