Happy Easter!

Today I really wanted to celebrate Easter and I did, but it was different. I had planned on going to Church and wear the same Easter Dress that I've worn for the past 16 years. It's faded a lot, but I do get lots of compliments on my dress and that makes me giggle inside. I look forward to wearing it on Easter for 20 years straight. But today, I'm not feeling so good.

I had the chance to sing in the Relief Society Choir. I really was anxious to sing. That's a turn-around for me, big time. The song was "Love Is Spoken Here" and I love the two-part harmony. I know the song by heart and I can actually sing it perfect and on-key. I was also asked to speak in Young Women's today. I miss Young Women's so much and couldn't wait to be able to be apart of the program. Actually, elated fits better. I was elated that I was asked. They picked me and I felt so blessed. I wasn't able to be there for the dress, the song, or the lesson.

My husband was asked to speak in Church today and some firemen helped him take the time-off to cover his duty to attend and be able to accomplish this. He seems to end-up working all the holidays these days. We missed being together Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Years Day and all the other holidays in between including this Easter. This was wonderful to have him not only for the day, but he was the main speaker. I saw him today for only moments and wish I had heard his talk and I should've gone with my feelings last night to have him read it to me. I know he worked late into the night preparing what he was going to say today.

Today is also our annual family get-together. All the family that lives near us, and that's a lot including the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents gather at one of our homes and have Easter Dinner. It's going now and I'm hoping for a picture or two. I usually take lots of pictures on Easter. Where we live Easter seems to be the most beautiful day of the year and today is no exception. The temperature is around 80 degrees and so green everywhere including all over our precious mountains.

I'm disappointed that I didn't have the chance to be apart of everything today. I missed so much, especially my family. I do feel grateful for this Easter and that part of Easter, the spiritual part, I didn't miss. I've been feeling and thinking of the Savior since everyone began Lent. I'm grateful for my testimony of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I've also thought a lot of  Easter time because of our General Conference last week and how The Leaders of the Church reminded us of the Atonement and how the Savior suffered and died for us. I've pondered The Last Supper and Passover. We are given the opportunity for repentance including the Sacrament to help us become more like the Savior himself and try and become more righteous individuals. We can can live with Him someday. I know that we are going to be resurrected again and have our bodies of flesh and bones.

The renewal of live is all around us here and I know in my heart, that all of this is a reminder that The Gospel is true and we will live again. Heavenly Father blessed us with Spring to see how even our grass is now so green and beautiful (with some mowing) The trees are all beginning their leaves and remind that just a few months ago we said, "Look! That Oak tree has died." and we're surprised again with the bight, new, lime green leaves reminding us of this glorious time of year. Our fruit trees and flowers are blooming and at night we can smell the blossoms all around.

Beautiful Ram Lamb

 There's baby puppies, kittens, lambs everywhere ... and so 

many baby birds. My canaries are singing beautiful music to me right now.

I would've loved to have been at Church, but not knowing if I have the flu made me think it was better to not go to Church and send-on what I have to others. I'm hoping it's maybe allergies or just getting used to my new medication. I still have so much to accomplish this week. I'm grateful that I can express my thankfulness of this day. I better get better fast and continue focusing on the better of my blessings of Easter.

Eirely Happy Dancing!  Even The Flowers In The Sand Are Blooming