Week #15 - The Gift of Easter

This year, we had to do our Easter festivities early in the morning, like right when the kids got up - Adam was leaving for Kansas, of course. The kid woke early to see what "The Bunny" had brought them and to see if he had hidden all of the eggs they so carefully filled with all sorts of yummi-ness the night before. Sure enough, he had. The kids giggled with delight at each egg they found hidden in its own secret (or not so secret) spot. They had a lot of fun. Adam and I both had fun watching them "hunt" and find each egg.

One thing that came in their baskets was a book from Grandma and Grandpa Grimsley. Howie got a "lift and look book" with foam pages and pieces that come out of the pages. The story tells about Daniel in the lion's den. Owen and Caroline each got a Book of Mormon with their names engraved on the front cover. They were so excited. I felt guilty each Sunday Owen would come out of church asking when he was going to get his own Book of Mormon. Fortunately, I don't have to answer that question any more.

(all three of my angles - Caroline, Owen, Howie)

It was a happy Easter and a quiet one. Despite the goings on early in the morning, it was a quiet day. One that brought me into some reflection and introspection of mine own. I started wondering about my own testimony of Jesus Christ and how I came to know of His love for me. I can't say that it was one "ta-da" or "light bulb" moment. It's just kind of always been there. There have been days, weeks, months, and sometimes even years, when I didn't do much to foster it, nurture it or, dare I say it, even care about it. I wanted to do what I thought was best for me, regardless of what it may cost me, both temporally and spiritually.

But, without a doubt, without a shred of cloudy judgment, I KNOW my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and are all too aware of me and what I do, need, think, feel, want, wonder. No other beings know me the way they do. How great a gift I was given to have my elder brother, Jesus Christ, atone for my many, many mistakes and grievances in the life. How great of a gift it is for me to know that despite my too many faults HE still loves me. He was willing to give his life for me.....ME! All to make it possible for me to repent, partake of the Atonement and return to live with my Heavenly Father again.

So, to all of you I say Happy Easter. But really, I hope you each understand the gift of Easter and what it means in your life. It is never too late to find out.