Easter Week

I have been thinking all week about the importance of the season celebrated by so many around the world this week.  I have made time each morning to read about the events of the last week of the mortal life of Jesus Christ. He knew what was happening, what was going to happen and He did not shrink from His promise to fulfill His mission as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. 

I am ashamed to think of how many of my mistakes (sins) caused Him such agony, but grateful He was willing to pay the price so I could repent and be able to participate in His glorious gift of resurrection and eternal life with Him, our Father In Heaven and our families.  

When I began blogging on our first couples mission in 2010, I usually ended each post with a photo of a sunset from our apartment window which faced west.  Here in Philadelphia, our window faces directly east.  I have taken a few photos from our bedroom window in the morning as the sun begins to redden the sky.

 Lately I have observed an interesting occurance in our apartment with the morning light now that spring has cleared the skies more often.  It actually woke me from my sleep one day because I was facing the window without the window blinds closed.  
It was as if someone had switched on a very bright light in my face. I had slept through the beautiful colors of the dawning light, and now the sun had come up just enough from behind the buildings that it was full on my face. It was so bright I couldn't keep my eyes opened.

Since that first day, I have kept the blinds at least partially closed.

One morning I was barely awake, facing away from the window and all of a sudden I thought that a light had gone on in the living room! Quickly I realized that neither of us was up yet and that it was the sun coming through the front room window full on as it had before.
I took a picture so I wouldn't forget.  The photo doesn't have the same impact of the light, but it is a good memory for me.

The light of the sun had literally burst into our apartment; burst into my view.  It had been a slow process of lighting the world gradually, a little bit at a time but at the moment when the sun came fully into view, it was my wake up call. 



I took this picture of another source of light: 

The Philadelphia Temple is on the west side of our apartment building.  It stands out in the blackness of the night sky as a beacon of light that invites all to enter the safety of The House of the Lord 
so will never be without the light.  

The Light of the World wants us to stay in the light.  He wants us to become comfortable with the light. He is preparing the world for His return slowly and methodically like the dawn, but He will some day burst upon the world and all will see His Light and know that He is the Christ.  When He comes, it will be a glorious event; the dawning of a brighter day.

A favorite hymn comes to mind: 

The Lord is my light; then why should I fear? 

By day and by night his presence is near. 

He is my salvation from sorrow and sin; 

This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.

The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise, 

Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies 

Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign. 

Then how can I ever in darkness remain? 

The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength. 

I know in his might I'll conquer at length. 

My weakness in mercy he covers with pow'r, 

And, walking by faith, I am blest ev'ry hour. 

The Lord is my light, my all and in all. 

There is in his sight no darkness at all. 

He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King. 

With Saints and with angels his praises I'll sing. 

Chorus:

The Lord is my light; 

He is my joy and my song. 

By day and by night

He leads, he leads me along.

I am so grateful for Him and His Love for me; for all of us. He came, He lived, He loved, He taught, He served, He suffered and paid the price, He died and He lives again.

These are just a few of my thoughts on this Easter Day.