We leave this week to spend two weeks in sunny Florida and hope to spend some time with Tony while we are there. It is a much needed break and we look forward to being together as a family for a little while before Tony's 6-month deployment is over late next month. I made these little notebooks for the kids to gather autographs throughout the park during our Disney World visit. I love that the cards inside are blank so I can scrap them later with the pictures I took with the characters and the kids. But if I know my kid at all, Josh's will still be empty at the end of the trip. Although he is convinced that Pluto will be on our plane. Whatever.
Because we'll be getting back near the middle of April, I wanted to have our visiting teaching gifts done before we left. April is such a wonderful time with the beginnings of Spring and the chance to remember and appreciate the gift of our Savior. Here is the quote we used:
“Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, ‘I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].’ ” ~Jeffrey R. Holland
I attached it to a box of our very favorite Easter candy (ha ha!) and added "Happy Easter to one of our favorite "peeps."
As I've said before, this month has been a challenge for our family. We found out this week that my father is very ill. It would be inappropriate for me to say anything more...he is such a wonderful man and is fiercely private. But the thought of losing my father has brought our family to it's knees pleading for hope and strength. It has made us even more grateful for the loving Atonement of our Savior.