Grateful for Spring Breaks Coming Our Way

 Arianne, James and Nathanial came up for their Spring Break and it was another delight filled week.  James' birthday was Tuesday, but they got here a little too late to celebrate . . . so we lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday on Wednesday.  You will notice that Nathanial got to the cake just before we did!

 We enjoyed going to the park ~ the weather has been perfect!

He is Risen!

"It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts." David A Bednar, Ensign, April 2012

Will made these delightful Easter cupcakes ~ 

I love this time of year, Springtime, when the earth bears witness of rebirth and renewal and all things are new and fresh and welcome.  I enjoy the celebration of Easter.  I am so grateful for a loving Savior who has loved us enough to endure unimaginable pain and suffering in order to enable us to be able to "begin again," to start over when we have made a mistake.  I am so grateful for his great love, his mercy and his grace.  I Know that My Redeemer Lives and that He loves us unconditionally.  

Charlie

  

James

Nathanial

Conference Week-end

"For the Atonement of the Lord and His gift of resurrection—for this sublime message of Easter—thanks be to God!" Russell M Nelson

March 30 we drove to St. George to celebrate three birthdays - Arianne, Danielle and James.  Saturday morning I went to Hurricane to watch Sydni, Kourtni, Ally and Jacob play soccer.  It was a great day in the sunshine - unfortunately, I forgot to bring the camera along . . . Ray stayed back waiting for the cable guys to show up so we could watch General Conference. 
Arianne, Will, Charlie, James and Nathanial came Saturday to spend the week-end and we were able to see Damien, Danielle, Jacob, Sydni, Kourtni, Ally and Mason Saturday.  After the soccer games, we had a picnic in the park, then Sydni, Kourtni and I drove back down to the condo, where we watched conference, played some games of Pick-Up Sticks and got ready for the birthday celebration .  Syd and Kourtni were both a huge help in the kitchen and I so enjoyed having them there.

Mason, Kourtni, Ally, Sydni and Jacob~ photo by Danielle

What a great conference it was!  A few of my favorite quotes: 
"Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously. It may seem paradoxical, but that is why recognizing answers to prayer can sometimes be very difficult. Sometimes we unwisely try to face life by depending on our own experience and capacity. It is much wiser for us to seek through prayer and divine inspiration to know what to do. Our obedience assures that when required, we can qualify for divine power to accomplish an inspired objective". Richard G Scott

"This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it!  It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children."  Dieter F Uchtdorf


"Wherever you now find yourself on the road of discipleship, you are on the right road, the road toward eternal life. Together we can lift and strengthen one another in the great and important days ahead. Whatever the difficulties confronting us, the weaknesses confining us, or the impossibilities surrounding us, let us have faith in the Son of God, who declared, “All things are possible to him that believeth.”

"How blessed we are, my brothers and sisters, to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and in our hearts. It provides answers to life’s greatest questions. It provides meaning and purpose and hope to our lives. We live in troubled times. I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful of the challenges we face. He loves each of us and desires to bless us and to help us. May we call upon Him in prayer, as He admonished when He said, “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth. President Thomas S Monson

I am so grateful for a living prophet!  I am grateful for the restoration of the Savior's gospel upon the earth.  I love reading the scriptures and know that they are given to us for our benefit, to teach us and lead us back to live with our loving Father in Heaven.