Yuma to London: Easter, Conference, and Birthdays, 31 March

It was a good week in the temple with patrons here and there and work to be done. I was in sealings for a couple of sessions and enjoyed the opportunity to hear again the sacred blessings given to families as they are sealed for time and all eternity. What a gift it is to know life is more than just now. We were before we came to earth and we will continue when we leave earth. Returning to the presence of Heavenly Father is the goal.

Dad surprised me with a new iPhone 5c. It is supposed to be for Mother's Day, but I guess it came early. When we went to Windsor, I sat by Brother Brooke and he was using his iPhone. I struck a conversation with him about it and I reflected on how I miss being able to use my iPhone for everything. I mentioned the experience to Dad and bingo, he got me one!

First picture with the new iPhone.

Hayden turned 10, on 1 April. We put in a call to wish him a happy day. It was good to talk with him and see the other boys as well.

Wow, the cake looks yummy!

We captured a bit of sunshine one day.

Saturday was general conference and the temple is open on a limited hour schedule. The shifts alternate who works those Saturdays, and this was our turn. With only four sessions, I was surprised with the number of patrons who came with it being Easter Saturday. It was nice to feel their spirits and desires to serve in the Lord's house. They made the time fly by and before we knew it, it was 2 p.m. and we were home.

We changed clothes and headed to T.G.I. Fridays for a meal. It is located in the Leisure Center (we would call it a mall), and families were busy going to the movies, bowling, and eating at the various restuarants. We enjoyed a delicious meal and then dessert. Upon getting back into the flat we were comfortable and ready to watch the Saturday sessions of conference. They air live here at 5 p.m and 9 p.m. We settled in for a spiritual feast via the computer screen.

We were reminded of the importance of the family, marriage between a man and a woman, and the roles of husband and father. We were taught to be faithful and go the distance in living the commandments and following the prophet and apostles. Elder Renlund of the 70 taught us, If we don’t try we’re just latter-day sinners. If we don’t persevere we’re just latter-day quitters. If we don’t allow others to try we’re just latter-day hypocrites.

Sister Linda K Burton talked about the importance of husbands and fathers and their roles in raising and providing for their righteous families. She shared this Quaker Proverb: “Thee lift me, and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll ascend together.” Her words and counsel caused me to reflect on my own sons and sons-in-law. They do honor their roles as husbands and fathers and sons of Heavenly Father. I am thankful for them and grateful for their love for their wives and families.

Son Bob, Hal, Jared, Shawn, Nate, Nelson, Thor, Tyler, Trevor, and Bob.

I sent them this message from me: Sister Linda K Burton spoke in the Saturday morning session of general conference. Her remarks were centered in “honoring husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, and uncles who know who they are and who are doing their best to fulfill their God-given roles as described in the family proclamation, including righteously presiding and providing for and protecting their families…”

As she spoke, I thought of all of you. You each love your family, and unselfishly care for their needs. You are men of faith, men of character, and men of action. You are tender with your children and loving with your spouse. Family matters to you. You bring goodness and joy to those around you and they love you for that. When I think of you, I think of Helaman’s stripling warriors – you are not afraid to go into battle for the welfare of your family, no matter what that battle may be.

Thank you for being the men you are and blessing our family with your goodness.

Sunday, was a day of blessing as we honored the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout the week I reflected on the events of this week leading up to this end. Jesus suffered and died for us, willingly. Through his suffering and death we are benefited with eternal life as we follow His path, be humble, and be obedient to His commandments.

HE IS RISEN!

The music for the Sunday sessions of conference all reflected the Risen Lord. It was beautiful to hear words that brought peace and rejoicing to my heart.

The messages of the speakers centered on the Savior and holding fast to what we know and believe. We are to be disciples of courage and live the gospel each day and resist the whims and fancies of the world and men's philosophies. God's law is eternal and is constant. It does not bend with the blowing of the wind, but remains fixed, a law of integrity, virtue, and truth.

Easter, 2015. London Temple with overcast skies.

Flowers in bloom on Easter Sunday.

Throughout the day we enjoyed face time calls from Nelson's family and Katie's family. They were gathered for breakfast and made us very envious of the delicious meals they had prepared. We had biscuits and gravy and then noted that Nelson's family and us as well, had ham, scalloped potatoes, and rolls for the Easter meal.

Bridger celebrated his 12th birthday, 3 April, and was ordained a deacon on Sunday by his father. Baby Koa was blessed at the same time and we participated via face time. It was a treat to be there with them.

Grandchildren are a blessing.

We received Easter greetings from the Matthews, periodic workers on our shift:

Dear Friends,

We both wish to send an Easter message to you as we enter this special time of the year which gives us again the opportunity to reconsider the grand Atonement and what our Saviour did for us all.

In Luke 19:1-6 we find the story of Zacchaeus, who upon hearing that Jesus was coming, desired to see Him but because of the 'press' was prevented from doing so, and therefore he climbed a Sycamore tree to allow him a better vantage point. We live in a world that is fast moving with email, Ipads, and smart phones giving us access to so much that our lives are rarely still. Often our schedules are full to overflowing and every spare moment is taken up by doing things we believe will bring us happiness. Amongst all of this we try to make room for our Saviour though often He may get 'squeezed out' because of the 'press'.

Recently we came upon these thoughts in a book focusing on the Atonement. Suppose the Saviour came to visit you. You've rushed around and vacuumed the guest room, put the best sheets on the bed, and even got some tulips in a vase on the dresser. Jesus looks around the room, then says, ''oh, thank you for inviting me into your home. Please tell me about your life.'' You say, ''I will in just a minute, but something's boiling on the stove, and I need to let the cat out.''

Jesus says, '' I know a lot about cats and stoves. I will come with you.''

''Oh, no'' you say. ''I couldn't let you do that.'' And you rush out carefully closing the door behind you.

And while you're turning down the stove the 'phone rings, and then your son comes in with a scrape on his elbow, and then it's supper time, and someone forgot to turn on the dishwasher so that you are eating off paper plates, and then you have to drive your daughter to a netball game. So by the time you get back to the room where Jesus is patiently waiting for you, you are so tired you can barely keep your eyes open - let alone sit worshipfully at Jesus' feet to wait for those words of profound wisdom and spiritual power to wash over you, to make you different, to make everything else different - and you fall asleep whispering, ''I'm sorry. I'll try to do better. I'm so sorry.''

In Luke 10:38-42 we are reminded of Martha and Mary when Christ visited their home. Martha, 'was cumbered about, much serving' but Mary had taken time out to sit at the Masters feet and be spiritually fed. In our own busy world not only do we need to spend some quality time with Christ, but also to allow Him to spend time with us in our various activities and also our thoughts. Christ is willing to come with us wherever our day takes us but if we don't invite Him, He will stay wherever we leave Him. He will not override our agency, compel us to accept His help, nor force to accept His companionship.

He is waiting at our door for us to give Him an invitation to enter. We have a deep love for our Saviour and for His great Atoning sacrifice, and we know that without the Atonement we would be lost souls. Whilst we are far from perfect we take great comfort in the scripture found in Luke 5:31-32 and know that He loves us.

It is our prayer that we will all find more time to spend with our Saviour and allow Him to spend more time with us in our daily lives.

Our love and best wishes, Roger and Sue Matthews

The Family Rumis is here from Belgium on a 6 month maintenance mission. He is very handy and has been busy repairing, painting, and other such jobs as needed. His wife works in the cafeteria and their adult disabled son assists Brother Rumis in his work. The father is the only one who speaks some English and we enjoy greeting one another and seeing all the good they are doing here on the temple grounds. Easter morning, when we headed out to take pictures, they had left an Easter treat at our door. Belgium chocolates.