There are so few pictures that represent Jesus smiling, that we both knew we had to have this when we saw it on display at a little stand by the grocery store. Not only has His loving Atonement been central to our thoughts this Easter month, but it represents our hope to be welcomed back into the presence of our Savior and Redeemer when we have finished our work on the earth.
Because of General Conference last Sunday, this was also Fast Sunday --I remember when our children asked, "Why is it called Fast Sunday when it goes so slow?" After baptism when the children were asked to fast the two meals, the hours from Saturday evening supper to Sunday afternoon dinner were a looooong time. The card from Mary Ann and Ruder was a beautiful visual aid to show why our work here is important. We desire to strengthen our own family ties and help others do the same.

The Centro Stake Center has three wards meeting there each Sunday. Two of them are large --Canek and Mulsay-- and our ward, Centro, is small. We are only able to attend it on Fast Sundays when we pay our donations there, since other Sundays we are visiting wards that Gerhard is assigned to advise concerning temple matters. Without our being aware, Canek and Mulsay had changed schedules, so we only knew the bishop and the temple workers and regular patrons, however we had a spiritual feast.
On Saturday, Centro Stake observed a "white Easter," as the full-time missionaries and ward missionaries in all units brought converts for a day-long baptismal service. Pres. Mickleson of the Area Presidency, the mission president Pres. Cardenas , the Area Seventy Elder González, and Pres. Dyer were also part of the celebration. The young men received a special tie-tack to remind them to prepare to serve a mission, and they were wearing them with pride as they took turns bearing their testimonies and thanking their friend, Adrian, for his good example. We felt the Spirit's warmth, and as the Aaronic priesthood members sang the closing hymn ,"A donde me mandes, iré", the words and the sentiment echoed in our hearts, too.
The frosting on the cake was an evening meeting with temple workers which Gerhard conducted. We reviewed procedures that had been unclear in the past and had training sessions to progress in certifying the few workers who had left their families on this special evening. They expressed gratitude for what they had learned and we were all strengthened in our efforts to serve the Lord in whatever we are called to do..