up next to the fire with a hot cup of tea
and a good book.
It was chilly outside! (for a California girl that is)
We watched religious sermons on Saturday
and Sunday, and as usual my favorite speaker
was Dieter Uchtdorf.
He gave a beautiful Christian message of
He gave a beautiful Christian message of
not judging others and becoming the Savior's
hands through love and charity.
My favorite quotes from
the sermon:
As I read the scriptures, it appears that those who receive the Savior’s strongest reproach are often those who hold themselves in high esteem because of their wealth, influence, or perceived righteousness.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are
called to support and heal rather than condemn.
in our zeal, we sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion.
Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father. Once we understand that, we can begin to understand how we should treat our fellowmen.
It is unworthy of us as Christians to think that those who suffer deserve their suffering. Easter Sunday is a good day to remember that our Savior willingly took upon Himself the pain and sickness and suffering of us all—even those of us who appear to deserve our suffering.6
When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who “loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw ALL men unto him. . .
On this Easter Sunday, and every day, as we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands
He also shared this story at the introduction of the address:
"A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II,
a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged.
When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble,
they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith
and of God’s presence in their lives.
a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged.
When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble,
they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith
and of God’s presence in their lives.
Experts were able to repair most of the statue,
but its hands had been damaged so severely
that they could not be restored.
Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands,
but others wanted to leave it as it was—
a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war.
Ultimately, the statue remained without hands.
However, the people of the city added on the base of the
statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words:
“You are my hands.”
After hearing the beautiful story, I wanted
to find a picture of the Christ statue.
I spent some time searching the internet
and found several different statues and locations with
a similar story including
Africa, Brazil, and even San Diego.
But, I think I finally found the picture
matching the story from his talk here-
a church in France .
a church in France .
I wasn't able to find the town name or church.
I'm not sure if it's a folk tale
with all the different locations
with all the different locations
telling a similar story,
but it is a powerful
but it is a powerful
message nonetheless.
statue in France
Here is the statue and story
from Africa:
"This is a statue of Jesus in a church in Soweto, South Africa.
Since public meetings were banned during apartheid,
many people met in churches such as this one.
During an attack by the police,
this statue fell and the hands were detached.
Rather than fix the statue,
it was left as it was since "we are Christ's hands in the world."
Since public meetings were banned during apartheid,
many people met in churches such as this one.
During an attack by the police,
this statue fell and the hands were detached.
Rather than fix the statue,
it was left as it was since "we are Christ's hands in the world."
After Easter service, we went to Nana and Papa's house for
a very special surprise; a baby chick for each of the kids!
My brother in law Eric had been working
on a chicken coop last month
so we can have farm fresh
organic eggs.
He did a great job!
Each of the kids gleefully approached the giant box
under the heating lamp,
and chose their very own chick:
Luke almost age 8
cousins Annika and Sienna
Baila almost age 6
Isabelle age 2
cousin Wyatt
The girls gently played with
their chicks in the doll house
After meeting the chicks,
they quickly headed out to the green pasture
they quickly headed out to the green pasture
where they could run free
before the rain descended.
Isabelle gravitated toward the goats
as usual but there is one
in particular named
"Amanda" that
she clings to.
After about ten minutes of Isabelle's
amorous affection,
Amanda finds her to be more of a
pest and goes for higher ground! LOL
It didn't stop Isabelle from trying though, and
she continued to follow Amanda's every move!
Almost on a daily basis she says
"Mommy, lets go to
Nana's house and
see Amanda."
Almost on a daily basis she says
"Mommy, lets go to
Nana's house and
see Amanda."
When I was a little girl, this was a favorite
rock for us to climb on.
So many memories in this yard
Time for the much anticipated
Easter Egg Hunt!
Isabelle was killing me
with those bunny ears
I covet this vintage blue jacket Sienna
was sporting
Baila
Lainey
Wyatt
Lindsey with her new baby Vivien
Isabelle with Daddy
Tamara with new baby boy Ashton
my brother Lance with daughter Marley
The "picture frame couple" ;)
Luke lost tooth #"D" the night before.
Nana gave each of the kids a toy prize
These two were a riot!
We ate dinner around 3pm and it
was scrumptious. My Mom is
the best cook! :)
Besides the candy,
I think most of the kids ate around 3 rolls a piece and
nothing else.
Sweet little Vivien
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