Foggy Foggy Morning

This morning we woke up to a foggy day.  Yesterday it rained pretty good here and it was much cooler when we awoke.  We actually closed all of the windows!  So we are enjoying the cooler weather while we can as it is predicted to be in the 90s in a couple of days.

Easter Family Traditions

We had a wonderful Easter yesterday as we gathered with family, thanks to Peter & Leigh-Ann, who graciously opened their home to us all.  Most of those in attendance were Uncle Peter's posterity - in fact all of their chilren were there to help celebrate Aunt Melody's attaining the milestone of 60 years.  It is a bit amazing that we will be facing the same milestone in just a few months.  What a blessing it has been over the years to have our two families so close - geographically - and then growing together in other ways as well.  Getting together for good food and great company at holiday times has long been a joint tradition of our families.  Other traditions that I have developed in preparation for each Easter is to (1) watch Ben Hur, and (2) listen to Handel's Messiah as many times as I can during the preceding week, and then at least once during the day.  Although I did not do the first one (yet), I did follow through on the second.  What a great piece of work.  Mack Wilberg quoted someone as saying that it is not so much an oratorio as a collection of scriptures set to music.  What can bring us closer to God than listening to His word set to good music?

It is a shame that most people only associate the Messiah with Christmas as only one of the three parts of Handel's Messiah is associated with scriptures announcing the birth of the Savior.  And although a great piece of music, the Hallelujah chorus is actually not my favorite part of the Messiah.  And it does not come at the end of the production, but at the end of the second part.  If pressed, I think my favorite piece from Handel's Messiah is the aria, I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.  When well-performed it is probably as close as I will ever get to hearing an angel's voice.  But a very close second is the final chorus, Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain.

What a pleasant surprise I had this morning as I found that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are in the process of recording for release a new rendition of Handel's Messiah.  Apparently in preparation for the recording next month they have given/are giving a couple of presentations in the Tabernacle.  In an interview with Mack Wilberg he indicated that he was surprised that they sold out (in 7 minutes, as it turns out).  What a special treat for this Easter!  So here I am listening to it and enjoying every moment.  Bro. Wilberg explains that he tried to present it with, as much as possible given that he has a choir of 300+ voices and a rather large orchestra, an 18th century flavor (it was written in 1741) in a baroque style.  So just to whet your appetite, here is the MTC signing the final chorus, masterfully, as always.

I'm off to watch Ben Hur.

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

This has been a great Easter Day for us.  We worshipped this morning participating in a sacred ordinance administered by authorized servants of the Lord.  We live in gratitude for this opportunity to celebrate the resurrection and atonement of the Redeemer each week.  But on this special day, we felt even more keenly the great blessings afforded us by the sacrifice of our Savior.  We wish to declare clearly to all of our family and friends our assurance of the reality of the literal resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  This not only gives each of us certain hope of a literal resurrection, but many other eternal blessings as well - for us and our ancestors and posterity.    We invite all to watch, listen to, or read a couple of great discourses on the resurrection by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, both apostles (special witnesses) of Jesus Christ.  We were also inspired today by an Easter message published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints entitled Because of Him.  We were particularly touched by a hymn we sung today in our Sacrament Meeting, and share the verses as our testimony of the Living Christ.  The words are from one of my favorite speakers, Elder Marion D. Hanks.

That Easter morn, a grave that burst

Proclaimed to man that "Last and First"

Had ris'n again

And conquered pain.

This morn renews for us that day

When Jesus cast the bonds away,

Took living breath

And conquered death.

Thus we in gratitude recall

And give our love and pledge our all,

Shed grateful tear

And conquer fear.

Visiting in Indiana

We had a great visit with the Comeau family.  We were greeted by Mr. and Mrs Potato Head dressed as Grandma and Grandpa, and picture that Brooke drew and a welcome sign on the mirror.  We got to go to the Children's Museum which is always a new and exciting time.  The museum is so big and there is so much to see.  We spent quite a bit of time in the dinosaur part.

 This was a cute little play with a dinosaur fossil coming to life.  Kate wasn't too sure about that big dinosaur that made way to much noise.

 Then it was time to dig for dinosaur bones

 Then dress up as dinosaurs

We also went to see a play at the museum, "Lyle,Lyle, Crocodile".

 Grandpa and Brooke spent time playing Fruit Ninja.  Brooke showed Grandpa how to get different swords and they had a great time playing together.  

Piano practice time 

 Tennis anyone?

 After tennis they found a playground

 Grandpa was practicing with the camera and found a great setting for action shots

And some family pictures

Thank you so much Jeremy, Andrea, Brooke and Kate for all the fun things we got to do while we were there and for the time we got to spend with you.