Paskha

That is Russian for Easter. Paskha is a big holiday in Russia. The people busilly go about making cakes and coloring eggs to present to the priests for consecration.

In compliance with ancient traditions Russians mark the celebration of Easter with presenting colored eggs to each other.It is an ancient tradition to use beautifully decorated eggs to symbolize life and the promise of the future.

We ended up with our pockets full of colored eggs. Everyone we would meet would greet us with, "Esuse Voscress!" (Jesus is risen!). And our reply would be, "Da eesteno, Own voscress." (It's true, He is risen) That was one Easter I remember with fondness. It was fun to see and learn about the Russian traditions. Though I may have been a little sick of eggs after a while, the symbolism wasn't lost on me as it represents what Easter is all about, the death and especially the ressurection of Christ on the third day, bringing new life and promise to the future.

Another Easter I remember fondly was a from my childhood. I don't remember how old I was, but I do remember a treasure hunt that Mom and Dad put together. Instead of focusing so much on the Easter Bunny and the treats he would bring, this treasure hunt included scriptures about the Savior, His life, His example, His love and His sacrifice for us. I don't remember details of the whole thing, I just remember the impressions and how I learned so much about the Savior's love for us.

For a long time, as I was single for so long, and now with young kids, I haven't really thought much about the Easter bunny or even celebrating it much. As my kids are getting older and starting to learn about Jesus, I am looking for traditions that my kids will be able to look back on and remember with fondness. While the Easter bunny is fun, I also want them to realize what Easter is all about, the Savior and His ressurection.

We did a fun thing yesterday. Cory's brother and his wife and family were down. We had the intention of attending the temple, but with the rough night we had, it didn't work out. We did, however, take the kids to the temple and let them walk around the grounds.

The highlight was the visitor center. They have a traveling exhibit of the Savior. Angela Johnson from Az. started sculpting about 10 years ago. Having no formal training whatsoever, it's amazing to see her masterpieces. While she could probably get hundreds of thousands of dollars for her sculptures, she has chosen to share her love and her testimonoy of the Savior through her work with the church. There are 13 displays. Each represents a story from the scriptures of the Savior healing in some way. Since most of you can't be here to see it in person, I will include a few pictures. The pictures don't do them justice, though. The detail and the way she's captured the expressions is amazing.

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." - John 11:21-25

Lazarus, Come forth

Reach in Faith
After His resurrection Jesus appeared to the apostles on several occasions. The first time, the apostle Thomas was not present, and he refused to believe that Jesus had been resurrected until he could see and touch Him himself. When Thomas finally did see Jesus, the Savior taught an important lesson: "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. - John 20:29One day we will see our Savior face to face, but until then He asks us to reach out to Him in faith and believe.

Master, Say on

When Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, a woman - a sinner - came to Jesus and anointed His feet and washed them with her tears. Simon, knowing this woman's sins, wondered how Jesus could allow the woman to touch him. Jesus' response to Simon is a lesson to us all:"Seest thou this woman?... Thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head…. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment… Her sins, which are many, are forgiven.... And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Luke 7:44, 46-47, 50

Because of Love

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

"Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour… And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:27, 32

"The Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people." Alma 7:13

"The Lord your Redeemer suffered… the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Doctrine & Covenants 18:11

All this Jesus did because of love.

If you want to view the rest, just go here.

Please share your traditions or what you love about Easter. I would love some ideas to do with my kids.

I love Easter, especially because of what it means. I love the Savior and am grateful to Him for His love. He is risen. It is true. He is risen. Happy Easter!