The Pope

I feel like I grew up when media romanced nuns. The Sound of Music and The flying Nun were some of my first memories of movies and tv. I was fascinated by the Catholic Church. I have learned a few things about the church in my years. 

My favorite was on my mission. A Catholic priest invited us to visit with him one afternoon. I'm not sure what my expectation of that experience were, but I was humbled by what transpired. We sat a quietly listened to a priest tell us that he didn't believe that the church was true. It was good, but not true. He told us that he was from Italy and his only hope of getting back there was doing his job. To be honest, I don't know if we  even responded. I know we prayed together at the end. 

I was saddened by the passing of the Pope this week because he had a good heart. His mission seemed to be to take care of those who were less fortunate. A very good man. 

I made a comment on Facebook about how awkward it must of been for Donald Trump at the funeral because he didn't have any friends there. I had a troll comment back that he was there honoring the Pope unlike me. 

Okay, maybe he was there to honor the Pope. I feel like it was a photo opportunity or a power play, to remind everyone that he is responsible for the worldwide economic downfall. But hey, he sells Bibles and is owned by Christian groups. I could be wrong...

But honoring the Pope stuck with me. I worked in the community soup kitchen this week and donated to the food pantry. I feel like this was honoring the Savior and maybe the Pope.

I like the idea that we do something to honor the Pope with  service to others. 

Loving the beauty of someones work many years ago 

Spring in Idaho is a rollercoaster....

Wind, wind, cold, warm.....

Hang on....

On the blessed day of Easter

Finding Jesus.....

How do you find Jesus? 

Although I go to church and the Temple every week, I'm not sure that is where I find Him. Don't get me wrong. They are both important. I was baptized because I wanted to follow Jesus. I had no idea what that meant then. I go to the Temple because I believe that there are people on the other side who have made peace with their demons and want to be together with their families and live with God again. 

But I find Jesus in other ways. 

When the blooms come after a long Winter and His creations take my breath away, I know that He created them for me. 

When you sit next to someone at church and casually ask how they are and they cry and tell you how they are.

When you hold a baby that you've been waiting for for a couple of years. 

When you feel compelled to go out of your way to tell someone how much their child means to you.

When you do home visit and wonder how this little family is going to make it in this little run down house. 

Here's the thing. Just because you go to church and read scriptures does not necessarily mean you find Jesus. I find peace at church and I have made a covenant and I have faith in the future, but finding Jesus is more than going to church. 

What amazes me is that Jesus loves us all. He has paid for all of our sins so that we can live with God again. His resurrection means that we can also overcome the tomb and live again. These are gifts for which I'm eternally grateful.

For the last 20ish years I have read John 20 on Easter morning and marveled at His love for Mary and His apostles. They were so worried, sad, and grief stricken that they didn't know He was there, but He was there, for them. 

That's the message, He is there even when we can't feel it. He meets us where we are. He takes us for who we are. He loves us. 

I take my relationship with Jesus very seriously. I couldn't do it without Him. Many days at work, I listen to songs about Jesus while eating my lunch. I need Him always. 

He is Risen....

Happy Easter.....

Retired

I signed my papers. I will receive a retirement check every month until I die. I was extremely happy. They give you a mug that said, I retired and all I got was a mug.  I didn't expect to get a mug. I always appreciate a meaningful gift. 

Five more weeks........Oh these kids are so naughty.......Yes, we can do it. 

Then we went to see Betty.

She's an interesting little person. Always thinking and loves to look at books. 

She's a lucky little girl. 

Rivera

I didn't post about Conference last week. I love to watch Conference in my favorite chair, cross stitching in comfy clothes. 

I do enjoy the talks and the music. I love talking to my kids about it after. I loved the Prophets message, but seeing hom age is hard. I know, he's 100, he is going to age. I only heard Uragauy in the temple announcements. After conference I looked it up and was shocked that the temple will be in Rivera. 

Oh the struggles I had in Rivera. I also came to my own in Rivera. I also had the beautiful Beatrice Alanis as a companion in Rivera. She changed my life. When the Mission President told me that my MTC companion had gone home and he knew I was struggling, but he thought this new companion would help, I had never felt that my prayers had been heard in such a powerful way. There were tears. My life did improve. 

There were also tears last week. As I connected with Beatrice and made a goal of returning to Rivera Uruguay with her. 

Life is good...

Spring is here....wind, nice day, wind,