April 16, 2017

Dearest Christopher:

HE IS RISEN!  HAPPY EASTER!!!  Orthodox and Western Easter were on the same day this year, right?  How was it for you?  I LOVE that the greeting in Russia at Easter time is Христос воскрес and the response "Воистину воскрес!"  A friend that I worked with in the nursery last year and told about that tradition approached me at church today and said, "He is Risen!"  To which I responded, "Indeed, He is Risen!"  She said she was so excited to say that today, and I to respond.  Such a wonderful tradition! 

Today was a full and lovely day and a step away from our usual Easter traditions.  In Sacrament Meeting Brother Callister talked about the hope and transformative power or the Atonement.  We went to our ward for all 3 hours--love the marriage and family class that I have been attending during Sunday School, we talked about the life and teachings of Christ and picked out specific parables and teachings out of the scriptures and expressed specific ways we could apply those principles in our marriage and family relationships.  The people who attend the class are all amazingly good and devoted people.  I learn so much from their comments and the Spirit is always so strong.  Young Women's too is always so Spirit packed--the girls are simply good.  We then went up to Brian and Karen's ward for Melissa and Kyle's baby's blessing.  They named her Sarah Mae Knight.  Afterward we went up to Brian and Karen's for lunch--always nice gathering with family!  We stayed longer than expected, ultimately we ended up bagging the seder--things have just been too busy.  David, Ais, Grandpa and Sharon came for dinner.  We were all a bit sad that we didn't do the seder portion of our dinner, there just wasn't the time.  It was lovely being gathered with family but we were left a bit wanting stepping away from our tradition of understanding in a deeper way the symbolism of Easter through understanding the Passover which is rife with symbolism of the Savior.

Last night we attended the BSA Gathering of Eagles Banquet where your Dad was one of several people honored as an "Outstanding Eagle" for their contributions to scouting and to their communities.  Hooray BJB!  A very inspiring evening hearing what a difference people make in their communities.

We spent a lot of Saturday getting the storage room shelving hung and items moved into it--have I ever told you how much I hate stuff?--all it does it consume time, caring for it, thinking about it, moving it.  I need to get rid of more stuff! :)

Friday I took care of Gpa, and have been cleaning out more of Gma's clothes and stuff.  Both happy and sad going through her things.  Later in the afternoon I met your dad in SLC to pick out a hearth stone and counter tops--sure will be glad when all of this is done!  RJB, NJB, SJB, and I visited Gordon and Sharon.  Gpa B has fallen a couple of times and is definitely slowing down.  He has the same funny sense of humor and is a kid on the inside.  I want to make a point of spending more time with them.

I went to the temple earlier this week and then went to the family history library afterwards in hopes of learning how to do more research and how to find documentation on my ancestors, unfortunately, the woman who helped me was moving so fast that it just confused me--she kept clicking on things and saying how this went with that and kept doing things for me--made me realize that I am NOT a good teacher--important to let people do things on their own--to guide and support but not do the work for.  The next day I got on Family Search by myself and played around some.  I found my Great Grandparents in the 1910 census with my Gma Goff listed as one of their children.  It was just so cool!  I can see how your dad is hooked.  He is AMAZING!!!

Not sure what else has happened this week.--lot's of cooking preparing for Easter.  I think I like Caroline and Ryan's tradition--circular food for Easter to represent eternity :)  she bought a quiche, had smooth and melties, made pie, had asparagus--not sure what else--she's my kind of gal.  :)

So did you meet again with the guy who approached you and your comp  The one who worked in Moscow in the 90's with some LDS people?

We love you so much Christo!  Hope you have a great week!

LTIABABA

Mom