He Lives!

I'm sure all of you were expecting an Easter post today and I didn't want to disappoint, so here it is!

It didn't feel much like Easter today, aside from the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast this morning and dying Easter eggs with Jessica and Megan this afternoon. For the most part I was concerned with getting settled into my new place, which I normally wouldn't do on a Sunday but I don't think I'll have many opportunities to unpack this week. However, I did take a few moments to reflect on our Savior today.
When I was driving in my car today, I decided to listen to some music. I turned to the "Sunday" playlist on my iPod and turned on one of my favorite Sunday blasting songs: the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's The Messiah. I drove around Provo with that glorious piece of music blasting, singing at the top of my lungs. I probably got some funny looks, but I didn't care; there are few things more spiritually stimulating than singing "Hallelujah!" at the top of your lungs. If you haven't ever done it, I really recommend it. "Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. And He shall reign for ever and ever, King of Kings, Lord of Lords." What a simple, but true, statement.
I went with Jessica to a Messiah sing-along last December. To be surrounded by hundreds of people belting praises to their God was a humbling and moving experience. I'll never forget the feeling I had in joining with those many voices in singing "Hallelujah." It almost felt like angels joined in with us. Kind of cheesy, I know; but it was truly powerful.

With that said, I'll end with my testimony of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know it without a shadow of a doubt. I am so grateful for all that He did for us; for His life, His example, His atonement, His resurrection, and for His unbiased love. I am doing my best to follow His teachings and I am so grateful for His patience... I mess up many times.

I love you all and I hope you had a great Easter.

Talking with Grams

Today I stopped by my Grandma Crouch's home in Perry to visit with her. I used to stop by everyday on my way home from high school and I know that it meant a lot to her (and me as well). It started out as just another normal visit. She asked me about the girls in my life and offered me cookies, a sandwich, jellybeans, and candy bars until I couldn't fit anymore food in my stomach. But then she said that she had something to show me. She went back in her bedroom and brought out a book, which was nothing out of the ordinary. But it turned out to be a book on the first pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley, one of which was one of my grandmother's ancestors. That got us talking about genealogy.

Grandma went back into her bedroom and brought out a folder containing some family history. She showed me a picture of her grandparents and told me stories about them. We were talking about the family and I told her how cool it would be if she could write some of her memories down. She said that my mom had been trying to get her to do that for years (which I was fully aware of). What happened next was totally unexpected though. She started talking about her early childhood- about how she had appendicitis when she was 5 and had to go to school a year late, about growing up in Taylor, Utah, about going on fishing trips with her grandpa. She told me about how she was a pitcher in junior high and how her team one the championship. I sat and listened with perfect attention. It wasn't often that my grandma opened up like this.

I've always felt a special bond with my grandma, more so than the other grandchildren, I guess. What happened this afternoon was a very special moment for me. Despite the fact that she's still gardening and going out to lunch with her lady friends, I know she doesn't have much time left and every moment I have with her means a lot to me. She's done so much for me and I always know that I can count on her for a cookie or a big hug.

Growing up she would always take me on trips with her lady friends. We would go to concerts in Salt Lake, out to the movies, to lunch in Ogden, shopping at the mall. As a little kid I would find it kind of boring hanging out with these "old" people. But looking back now I really cherish those memories. In fact, I went out to lunch with her and some of her friends last week and I was amazed by how comfortable I felt around them all. I have known these people for as long as I could remember and for the first time in my life I was having a conversation with them as an adult. I guess it was one of those "coming of age" experiences.

My Grams is one of the dearest people in my life and I am so grateful for the wonderful memories I have with her (there are many). She always makes sure that I have plenty of food and is always asking me if I need anything. She has sacrificed so much for the family and I am amazed by her charity. I hope that I can grow up to be just as selfless some day.