3rd Day before Easter

04/21/2011

Passover started and Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. He then introduced the sacrament to them. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and pray mightily to God. Angry priests and townspeople came to arrest Him. The disciples fled in fear.

What an important day this was... I don't even know if my words can express my feelings towards this day of our Saviors life... I really don't think there are words to express the debt each of us owe that will never be repaid. Words cannot describe what Jesus Christ went through that night as he felt more pain then anyone can even begin to imagine. All the sins, the hurts, the pains both physical, mental and emotional. For all of God's children. Every single one including me and you.

All I can say is, I am SO GRATEFUL for the blessing the Atonement is in my life. The infinite gift that brings hope, joy and comfort in every aspect of it.

I know the Atonement is real. I have felt it's healing power in my life and the life of my family and friends. I know that Christ is mindful of each one of us. D&C 18:10, The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. Consider the lilies of the field. Everything beautiful around us is a gift from Him. I am so blessed to have this testimony I share with you all. . . reflect on what the Atonement means to you and your life.

Please watch this video and if you would, post your comments about how you felt during it.

4th Day before Easter

4/20/2011

Although the scriptures don’t say what Jesus did on this day, we can imagine He spent the day with His disciples, perhaps telling the parable of the ten virgins. See Matthew 25:1-13.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is one of my favorite... it also scares the crap outta me. . . will I be prepared and be there, ready to meet the Savior at his second coming? Have I done any good in the world today? (I made that up... *eye shift*). Is my oil full so I can find my way to my Savior? I always imagined myself one of the ones who didn't make it, who had the door shut on them by the bridegroom. . . that would be beyond devastating!!! I think we do that a lot as human beings. Most of the time, we think of ourselves as unworthy, worthless, unloved, shut out. But that's not the message of this parable at all.

It's meant to give hope, guidance, and something to look forward to. There are days when I can't WAIT for the second coming to occur (mostly because it feels our world/country is going to hell) and I think, "I'm ready. . . I'm ready for this to be over with!" but I think that's just part of the challenge. Always be ready. Not just when you feel you're ready. Constantly continue to fill your oil lamp with service, love and charity towards others.

5th Day before Easter

4/19/2011

Jesus taught people in the temple and on the Mount of Olives.

One of His disciples, Judas Iscariot Agreed to turn Jesus over to the priests in Exchange for 30 silver coins.



Now I know at some point in all our lives we have asked ourselves, "How could someone, not just anyone, but a witness of Christ, betray him for money." I'm sure when we think about it, we're not only mortified but disgusted at the thought. And yet - How many times to we deny our testimony for wordly things like money, acceptance, and pride? Think about this next time you hear this story. It is my prayer that we never sell our Savior out in exchange for riches of the world.

Don't sell your testimony for empty promises.

6th Day before Easter

4/18/2011

After finding people buying and selling things in the temple, Jesus questioned, “Is it not written, My house shall be called... the house of prayer?” After making the merchants leave he blessed and healed many including the lame and the blind. Christ went through the streets, blessing and healing all those he saw in need. Many people reached out to him, in absolute faith that he could save them from whatever turmoil they faced, he was mindful each one that needed him. I often think what it would be like to be one of those people, would I have the faith that those people did? Would I believe? I think I would. I think that I would feel his spirit and want to go to him for comfort. I think, "How amazing would that be? If only I was there..." Then I realize, he is always with me if I let him. He is always there to succor to me, and lift all my burdens as long as I am willing to go to him for help, just as the people in Jerusalem did almost 2000 years ago.




Jealous priests were angry and plotted to destroy Him.

7th Day before Easter

4-17-2011

On Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem from Bethany on a donkey. People recognized Him as their King shouting, “Hosanna,” and laying palm leaves in front of the donkey to keep dust off the Savior. He visited the temple and then returned to Bethany.

By choosing to ride into Jerusalem, Jesus—his very name meaning that he would save his people—announced that he was the prophesied King, having salvation. Therefore, the believing, ecstatic Jews greeted him with “Hosanna!”—a word that means please save!—and shouted, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” (Mark 11:7–10; Luke 19:35–38.) (“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled” By Keith Meservy)

He was truly a Christ and his ride into Jerusalem was the beginning of his ministry to the people.
be there at the second coming, to feel the prints in his hands and feet. To also become a special witness.



I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and I would like to think I would be one to shout Hosanna as he rode into Jerusalem because, I KNOW I will when he comes again. :) I pray to be worthy to

8th Day Before Easter

4/16/2011

On Saturday, in preparation for Passover only 6 days away, many people Visited Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple. Jesus walked to Bethany, a nearby village, and stayed five nights with his friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. It was during this time Mary Anointed Jesus’s feet with Oil.





John 12:1 (I stole this from Mormon.org but I loved it so much I want to post it as well)

Lent

Those who are closest to me know that every year, I participate in the Christian observance of Lent. This is a time of prayer, repentance and self-denial. It lasts for 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. I first heard of Lent it was in a movie (Chocolat, staring Johnny Depp – worth the rental) and I thought, “Hmmm… looks hard, I wonder if I could do that.”

So the first year, I gave up diet coke. Lasted about 5 days before I gave up. The second year, I did give up diet coke for the entire 40 days but after the withdrawals that consisted of shaking, headaches and cold sweats, it was out of my system and I didn’t even crave it anymore. Then last year, I gave up all processed sugar. No candy, cakes, cookies, anything dessert like. It was really hard because I worked in an office where that stuff was everywhere! It was really hard but also really cool. I was constantly tempted to give in, which means I was constantly reminded why I wasn’t. . . I started to really think about what Lent meant to Christians.

According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Christ spent 40 days in the desert FASTING before the beginning of his public ministry. There in the dessert, according to the Christian faith, he was tempted by Satan. Which was true but also, we know from the Joseph Smith Translation that he went into the dessert “to be with God” (Matthew 4:1) I believe that Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and be counseled by his Father what he was about to endure in the coming weeks. At that point, I realized that Lent meant so much more to me than I thought. I took that time to really reflect on what the Savior went through those 40 days before his ministry and the ultimate sacrifice of the Atonement, persecution, his crucifixion and of course his Resurrection on that Easter morning.

Christ spent those 40 days in the dessert to help him receive strength to endure the offering of his Atoning sacrifice for us. I took it that these 40 days as a chance for me to pray, repent, and fast to help prepare me to ACCEPT the Atonement in my life. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I do take the sacrament every week, and I fast on fast Sundays. But I want to do something extra this holy month. I feel it brings me even closer to the Savior during this month we reflect on his life, ministry and the sacrifice. I encourage the rest of you to try some aspects of the faith of our brothers and sisters in other religions to strengthen your testimony of the love our Savior, Jesus Christ has for ALL his children. . .

Maybe someday, I will be brave enough to try Ramadan. . . =)

Family Prayer

I can't think of a better way to end the day then gathering around as a family and saying family prayer. It doesn't happen very often for me because my family is gone by the time I wake up and asleep by the time I get home. But I always look forward to it Thursday nights, since my parents come home late from singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and on the weekends as well.

Family prayer is such a great way to gather together as a family and pour our hearts out to our Heavenly Father about our gratitude for our blessings, and join our faith together for the trials that we face as individuals and as family members. I am so grateful for my parents.
They are just the most wonderful people in the world.

My beautiful mother who is SO FUNNY and witty, cool and classy, spiritual and intelligent. My sister and I call her "Word Girl." (the pbs show. We say it with the flourish too) She is the smartest person I know! She is my best friend and my confidant. You will never find a more spiritually in-tuned person. She is the quintessential Mother in Zion. She helps everyone with anything they need and I owe my entire life to this selfless woman! I love her with all my being! She deserves a first class ticket to the celestial kingdom (if only for the mere fact, she raised such a perfect daughter:)

As for my dad, "Fajah" I call him. There are no words to describe how much I look up to that man. He is everything a father should be (even though he could never change a oil or fix a leak in a pipe). I sometimes take for granted the power he holds in our home as the patriarch of our family. He leads and guides and gives the most incredible counsel. If he's awake when I get home, I will go sit on his bed and wait for him to put down his book to talk. Now my Dad doesn't sleep very well at night so he takes Ambien to sleep. It. Is. HILARIOUS!!! He gets so drugged out and will usually fall asleep with his book on his face... but sometimes, if I'm lucky, he'll be coherent enough for our tradition of "5 Questions." I can ask my dad any 5 questions and he'll discuss each answer with me whether it be a Doctrinal question, early childhood question, current events, or HIS thoughts on what the future will bring. Usually he falls asleep after the 3rd question but I count myself blessed for his knowledge and counsel on those matters we discussed in the 3. My most spiritual moments have happened with my dad and I know a lot of others can say the same thing, he is truly a man of God. It really makes a difference to go to sleep knowing the priesthood is always present in your home.

Usually after family prayer, we will sing a hymn. For many many years (after my sibs moved out) our family nights consisted of gathering around the piano and singing hymn after hymn. I will treasure those moments forever. I am so grateful for the spirit that music brings into our lives and family. It brings us closer together and it reaffirms my faith that THIS was the family I was supposed to be sent to here on earth. I LOVE you guys!