Canopies & Memories

Interesting what triggers memories - A friend can enhance those memories.

The other day I was talking with a life long friend (since elementary school). She mentioned that she's finally getting the four poster bed she's always wanted. A memory flashed through my brain and I asked, "Are you getting a canopy?"

Then I asked if she was part of an experience that went through my head as soon as she said "four poster bed." My mother's parents bought a duplex on North Main Street for their planned move from Arlington Heights, Illinois to London. My grandmother died before they could make the move. My grandfather came and lived in the south side of the duplex. He rented the other side.

I remember looking through the window and being enchanted by the four poster bed - with a CANOPY - in the girl's room. My friend said she was there with me. She remembered the girl's name, SB. SB's family rented the same house the my friend's family rented on Main Street. She couldn't remember if the B family rented on Main Street before or after renting my grandfather's place. 

My friend added to the story. One day  SB and/or her mother invited us over for a visit. My friend said we stayed there "forever." My grandfather even came over and asked if it wasn't time to end the visit. We wanted to stay and the B's graciously said it was OK. My friend said she often thinks about that experience and wonders if the B's thought we were never going to leave! 

My friend thinks SB was a few years older than we were. This must have been when we were in junior high school. My grandmother died in 1957. I don't know how long my grandfather lived in London but I don't think it was too many years before he moved to Columbus. 

And about that canopy bed -  my friend is not going to get a canopy for her new four poster bed. She said she just couldn't do that to her husband.

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He Is Risen - I Will Rise

He is risen. Jesus Christ's life, atonement, and resurrection made it possible for us to rise again also. What a glorious gift to all of us. 

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail

There's an anchor for my soul

I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I hear the cry of every longing heart,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

Lyrics posted here

Video here

Fun With Grandchild

One of our granddaughters recently came over for some fun times. 

She commented that we "always" live near ice cream - Dairy Queen in Worthington and Sirena Gelato as well as Ben & Jerry's in Kirkland.

Walking in the rain - our granddaughter said we always live in a place that's within walking distance of fun things to do. We loved that about Worthington and it was one reason we chose to live in Kirkland.

BeadWorld in downtown Kirkland is a fun place. Our granddaughters enjoy selecting beads and making necklaces and bracelets. One of the staff recently moved from Cincinnati with her family. She is now a student at the University of Washington. 

He Is Risen!

"Our Savior broke the bands of death. Through His Resurrection there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so.

As special witnesses, we declare that God does live. Jesus Christ is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer, our Mediator with the Father. Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again." Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Click here for beautiful videos about the Savior and His life on earth. 

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Easter: How is Date Determined and Origin of Term

How is the date for Easter determined and what was the origin of the word?

I was coming home from a meeting on the evening of 4 April 2012 and tuned into my usual 50’s music station KIXI Radio 880AM Seattle/Tacoma and was surprised to hear the old time radio show “The Great Gildersleeve” (1941-1958) – a story about Uncle Throckmorton Gildersleeve who is raising his brother in law’s orphaned children. 

In this episode Gildersleeve was explaining the Easter Story about the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ to his niece and nephew along with some grown up neighbors. Part of the explanation included how the date for Easter is determined. He then went on to read the story from the Bible. I had not remembered how the date was specifically determined or the origin of the word. This show emphasized how different society is today compared to the 40’s and 50’s. I seriously doubt that such a sitcom would be able to focus on such a topic today.

How is the date for Easter determined?  The date for Easter is determined using the lunisolar calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325AD) placed the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon following the northern hemisphere’s vernal equinox after the 21^st of March. In Western Christianity Easter falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Christianity used a different formula.  Read more about the computation of Easter date here. 

What is the origin of the word “Easter”? ORIGIN: Old English ēastre; of Saxon/Germanic origin and related to German Ostern and east. The word is derived from Ēastre, the name of a goddess associated with spring.

Joe

Dressed for Spring

The Cow and The Coyote, in all their finery, preside over Central Way in downtown Kirkland. 


Click here to see other holiday outfits. 

Does My Life Reflect My Love For The Savior?

“Does my life reflect the love and devotion I feel for the Savior?" 

"We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” At that day the important question for each of us will be, “What thinks Christ of me?” 

These questions have stayed with me ever since Neil Andersen asked them during his talk at general conference last weekend.