Easter

 

I have often been asked how I can still smile.

_{Well, the answer to that question is simple.}

_{1.)  Have you not seen my son?? I mean seriously, that sweet boy of mine ALWAYS had a smile on his face, ALWAYS. So, if he could manage to smile while enduring great physical trials then how can I not smile while enduring mine?? It’s simple…. he taught me and I learned a very important lesson. Life is not always fair… easy…. or even beautiful at times but if you look for it; truly look for it you CAN find good in it. So, I CHOOSE to smile and look for the good because that is what my boy would WANT me to do and because that is what my daughter NEEDS me to do. Simple as that.}

_{2.)  2.)I smile because I know that my Redeemer lives!... what joy and comfort this sweet sentence gives. I have always loved Easter and been grateful for the comfort and knowledge that my Savior and Redeemer loved me enough to die for me. I took great comfort in knowing that my sweet Bubba’s body would be made whole and that he would one day be freed from the shackles that it had placed on him here on earth.}

(This is my sweet boy last Easter. I look back and see how very tired he was.He couldn't even hold up his little head. Oh, it breaks my heart to see how much he had to endure. {Yet, there was still a smile.})

 _{This year however, Easter has taken on an entirely new meaning to me. As I grieve the loss of my empty arms I am comforted to know that one day because of my Great Redeemer they will be filled again. One day there WILL BE a wonderful reunion between me and my sweet, sweet boy. One day I will kneel at my Savior’s feet and weep in gratitude for the gift that he has given me…}

....an eternal family.

Mosiah:7 “Yea, even so he shall be led, ^acrucified, and slain, the ^bflesh becoming subject even unto death, the ^cwill of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.8 And thus God breaketh the ^abands of death, having gained the ^bvictory over death; giving the Son power to make ^cintercession for the children of men—9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon ^ahimself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and ^bsatisfied the demands of justice.”

I Testify to you my sweet friends that I know that Jesus lives! I know that he suffered and endured such great pains because he loves us, his brothers and sisters. I know that in my darkest and hardest hours I can turn to him and be comforted because he truly understands my pains after enduring them in the Garden of Gethesmane. I know that my family can be together forever. What an AMAZING gift that my Savior has given me!! I rejoice in his sweet name knowing that he loves me… he truly, truly loves me. He knows me. He LIVES and because he lives I will be reunited with Bubba. I miss him, oh how I miss him but I take comfort in knowing that he is so deeply loved, as all of us are, by a loving Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

It is my prayer that all of you might feel this peace and comfort in your lives as well.
 

Happy Easter from our family to yours! 

I will end my post tonight of some sweet pictures from two years ago when Bubba was strong and healthy enough to enjoy Easter.

Look at that smile on his face while he was stealing his sister's eggs. ;)