This Easter Season, we were able to participate in the most amazing activities that celebrated the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My husband sang in the choir for a production called His Greater Love. They had people representing the woman at the well, Peter, the woman taken in adultery, Mary Magdalene, a Roman Centurian, etc. They spoke about their first-hand account with Jesus and how it affected them personally. In between the speakers, there were songs sung by the choir, solo, and ensemble performances. During the music, there was a screen that would play images from Christ’s life. There were some songs that the audience would stand and sing the chorus with the choir. It was so powerful. The Spirit was so strong in that room. There were many tear-filled eyes.

That night around the dinner table, my husband bore powerful testimony of his love for the Savior. We were all moved to tears with love for each other and for our Savior.

Then on Saturday, the Primary Presidency prepared a Brunch and Easter Celebration. Before meeting to plan for this activity, I told the other presidency members that I really wanted this Brunch to be about Christ. We all went off with things to think about. My week ended up being really crazy and I had no time to brainstorm an idea.

It mattered not; my friend Liz came to the meeting with the most amazing idea already deep into the planning stage. It was so inspired and we began to plan for this activity. Liz put so many hours into preparing for this activity and I am so grateful for each precious second that she sacrificed from her busy life to do so.

In the few months before the Brunch, Liz got a new calling and we had a new addition to the primary presidency. Liz graciously accepted our desperate request to continue helping with the Brunch and Program for the Celebration.

My friend Jackie, the new member of the Primary Presidency, and her husband built the most beautiful display of the empty tomb. Their talent is incredible and I’m so grateful for their willingness to use it for our church activities.

Friday came and we all meet and together put the ideas into place. Large images of Jesus Christ went up on the walls, the empty tomb was assembled, the tables and chairs were put into place, a kids table was organized, and then put the finishing touches on. We put 250 names and titles of Christ around the room. It was stunning.

The next morning, we came early and finished all of the last -minute preparations, then we put the food out and greeted people as they came. Testimony was given, a beautiful song was sung by the Young Women called Risen, and a prayer was said. People ate and then the program began. On each table, there was a giant Easter egg. Inside the egg was an item and a piece of paper. On each paper, was a scripture referencing the item in the egg and explaining what happened from the Garden of Gethsemane up to His death on the cross and finally to the empty tomb.

People would open the egg and then come up to the microphone, show the item that was inside the Easter egg and then read. In between these, people had been assigned to share their favorite names of Jesus Christ and why.

After we had gone through all the eggs, the last egg being empty just like the tomb, Liz came to the microphone and told everyone that there were cards on your table and some pens for everyone to take a few minutes and walk around the room and write down the name and title of Christ that really spoke to us. It was so beautiful to me to watch people walk around the room and take pictures and write. The room wasn’t quiet, but it was for some people as they drowned out the noise and focused on who their Savior is to them.

I found Liz and tearfully hugged her thanking her for bringing my desire to have our Easter Brunch be about Christ to fruition. This Easter Celebration was all about Christ and it had really impacted those that had come.

I had the greatest desire to fill my week with each day of the Holy Week and to fully reflect as a family on this. Things happened and it didn’t go to plan. I was so disappointed and I didn’t fully understand how frustrated I was until Friday.

On Good Friday, I was rushed and running around in a hurry to get things in order for setting up that night. I was exhausted and short tempered and frustrated at how quickly the week went not feeling like I was focusing on my Savior as much as I would have liked to.

As I was sitting in traffic trying to get to the church building to meet my friends and help set up, the Spirit whispered to me, “Kista, your reflections on my life, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and my Resurrection are sufficient. Today and tomorrow is about you helping others to remember Me.”

As soon as this understanding came into my mind tears filled my eyes and the frustration of things not turning out how I wanted them to faded away as I remembered to give it to the Lord. For He will always makes my big plans seem meager in the end. I am so grateful for the moments I have with Him and the opportunities that I have learned when I’m struggling to give it to Him and He will gladly and lovingly take that burden and instantly make it lighter for me.

On Easter Sunday, we went to church and my husband, my son, and my oldest daughter sang in the choir. Then my two oldest girls sang with the Young Women. Talks were given and more musical numbers shared. Tears were in my eyes for several of the songs. We have such talent in our church and while some were trembling with fear, they still got up to share these great talents with the congregation.

There was a young lady. I could tell that she was nervous. She played the guitar while she sang this beautiful song titled His Hands. At the point where the lyrics talk about His hands being pierced, she was overcome with emotion. She kept singing and the entire room felt deeply the emotion as if we had just watched our Savior’s hands being pierced with the nails. She carried on with her voice filled with emotion. It was powerful and beautiful.

After the meeting, I rushed to tell her how beautiful her singing was and to ask her if she had written the song. I didn’t recognize it from the song that had been written when in my youth. I hugged her and she was still trembling from her performance. I am so grateful for her determination to sing this beautiful song and deal with great anxiety to do so for us. It was very touching.

My friends, I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ lives. He is alive, and He is near. He is preparing to come again and be with us. Are we ready for Him? Are we making a place for Him in our lives? Are we busy helping to prepare the world for Him to come again? For those that want to participate, how can you help?

Learn of Christ, talk of Christ, Look for Christ. He is there. Can you see Him?

Here is a link for you to watch the amazing production called The Lamb of God by Rob Gardner. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It isn’t Easter until I’ve watched it.