Easter & The Spring Bunny

My mother loves trees. More importantly; she loves to hang things on trees. This isn't your regular living room Christmas tree draped in tinsel and ribbons and light bulbs we're talking about, but rather, a seasonal outdoor display of festivity! In January she dangles mismatched mittens from the pine tree in the front yard, hoping that the sight from the road will warm someone's dreary winter day. This year we hung hearts for the first time in February and every year, without fail, a bright rainbow of pastel plastic eggs tied with thin white thread are secured to the spindly branches of the Aspen trees. It's something I love about my sweet Mumsie because those hollow little eggs are meant for more than the mere delight of having another excuse to spruce up the leafless April arbols (espanol for tree!), but to bring neighborly cheer to all who glimpse the confetti of color as they drive by.



Another thing I appreciate about my Mom and Dad at this time of year is that they wanted us to understand the meaning of Easter right from the beginning. Easter, they explained, is symbolic of the atonement, Crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. To separate the true meaning from the commercialism of marshmallow peeps and chocolate bunnies, our family would celebrate the Saturday preceding Easter Sunday by having the "Spring Bunny" come with an awesome activities such as an Easter Egg Hunt and painting hard boiled eggs. This year Cassie, Dan, Lydia and Emmett were kind enough to bring my Burke up with them from St. George to celebrate the coming of the Spring Bunny and Easter with us. We had a great time Saturday enjoying all the Spring Bunny festivities!

The week had been rainy and overcast in Logan, but on Easter Sunday we woke up to lovely bright blue skies, warm sunshine and green grass offset by stunning snow capped mountains. Lydia, Gabe, Burke and I enjoyed some time after church out in the sunshine. Doesn't Lydibug look darling in her pink Easter dress?

Following the tradition my parents have established I made time today to remember the 24 hours full of tremendous events that led to our Savior's great sacrifice and gift for us. We have a basket that contains several items full of significance such as a crown of platted thorns, 30 pieces of silver, a cross and a 9 inch nail. I took a few solitary moments this evening to sift through the basket and remember each important step that led to Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice of giving his life so that we might live. I know that he is my Savior and that he lived and died for me, for you, for all of us. Sometimes I think I forget about the incredible gift that he has given me and I try to handle the hardships or weakness that I face all by myself. But he died so that I wouldn't have to do it alone. I need him daily, but I have found it is always my decision to let him assist me or to stand on my own. I have discovered that I need him, I need his gift and I am trying to utilize it so that the pains he suffered for me will not be in vain. I love him and I am eternally grateful to him.

Below is a link to Elder Holland's powerful talk given just one week ago in General Conference. Elder Holland is my favorite speaker and I think this is his best talk yet. I hope we were all able to take a little time today to remember what Easter is all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc