Easter

It's been a beautiful spring and I can't imagine that we will ever have an Easter like we did this year.  On Palm Sunday we participated in the dedication of the Red Cliffs temple.  It was dedicated by Pres Eyring and felt personal because of our new assignment as temple workers.  Sam planned to join us, but he got a bloody nose. I felt disappointed he wasn't there, but appreciated him trying.  I never imagined living this close to a temple.  I can literally feel the power.  

We had such as fun several weeks of company before and after Easter.  Jill and her girls were here helped getting Addy established in St George as she begins nursing school.  She is staying with us until her apartment opens and has been fattening us up with her delicious baking.  Easter Sunday was a lovely presentation of music and testimony.  

This Easter I experienced an interesting blessing.  Atypically, instead of to do lists and worries, my last thoughts when I fell asleep and first thought when I woke up were on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I felt joy and peace that I couldn't have created on my own.  I am expert at avoiding pain, but I tried really hard this week to imagine the dark days of death and acknowledge that I can't fully comprehend the gift of resurrection without experiencing that deep pain.  Because of Jesus Christ, the day I lose my parents, Tony or anyone I love, will be the longest time I am separated from them.  Everyday after that is one day closer to seeing them again, because of the resurrection of Christ.  This thought was the gift of Easter this year and has made made lean into, instead of away from, loss and death.

Jake and Callie and the kids joined us for Easter which made Maren especially happy. We hosted Easter dinner with quite a crowd:  Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy, Mom and Dad, Jill and girls, Jake and Callie and kids and the Drippys.  Tony made the perfect lamb on the smoker and I made rosemary twice baked potatoes with gruyere cheese.  Even my apricot bundt cake was a success.  

It was a busy week of family coming and going with many opportunities to build connections.  Jill and Cameron are right in the thick of hard parenting and Dustin and Kimberly are deep in the planning of Corbin's just- announced wedding to Brit.   Tyler and Chelsea came on Thursday night to celebrate Kate's birthday and go 4 wheeling.  It was a terrifying and exhilerating experience for them and we are grateful everyone is safe.  

Except for Sam, none of our kids were here for Easter!  We were sad when Wilson didn't come.  He has distanced himself from us and it's hard.  Cooper stayed in Washington and is trying to make a difficult decision about changing jobs.  Eliza stayed in Provo to work since she had taken so much time off for her birthday. Max is still unemployed and doesn't tell us much.  We wish we knew the best way to help him, but trust that he is capable of figuring things out.  

Conference weekend was peaceful, because we were still riding the spirit of Easter and temple dedication. The focus on the temple completely affirmed our decision to be temple workers.  We are enjoying our Saturday nights mjore than we ever anticipated.  They keep telling us it is a sacrifice, but so far, it hasn't felt like one at all.  

The week after conference Addy's boyfriend Dillon came to stay.  We especially enjoyed our day in  Zion hiking with he and Addy.  We are blessed to have such an incredible place as our backyard.