EASTER

On this Easter Sunday, I wanted to write a little about the traditions of this holiday that have been special to me and my family. First off, I remember dyeing easter eggs at Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park, Arizona with all of the cousins. We would have  lots of boiled eggs to dye, egg salad sandwiches, and an Easter egg hunt around the park. The boys would always climb higher up on the mountain, but I was always too small or too scared to follow. I guess that's not the first time. I've never thought of this before, but Arizona (especially that park) is more like Jerusalem than anywhere else I've ever lived.

The Country Bunny and the Gold Shoes is actually what prompted this blog. I thought of this story while I was at work--no idea why--and I suddenly wanted to be 5 again, reading this story and looking at the pictures of the mountains of Easter eggs and the palace of the wise old rabbit. I'm not sure why certain children's books are read so widely and make it into to so many homes, but this story is definitely one of the more memorable ones.


Then there was the Easter Tree. My mother would collect small branches from the orange orchard behind our house to create a tree which we would decorate with painted wooden Easter eggs  and bunnies from Germany.

Growing up in Mesa, Arizona, the Temple Easter Pageant was always another important event. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of attending, it portrays the life of Christ from birth to death, focusing on the Atonement and Christ's Crucifixion. I always liked the tale of the 10 virgins best because it had the more dancing than the other parts and the scene with the angels announcing Christ's birth because they had the best costumes. Fortunately, I had enough depth to realize that these scenes were not the climax of the pageant. So many traditions highlight family and togetherness, and I love that, but the pageant truly testified that Christ was atoned for the sins of the world. It was an eternal sacrifice--one that I am very grateful for.  

                                                                  HAPPY EASTER

"As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith... for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone". ~ Elder Geoffrey R. Holland (April 2009 Conference)