“The increasing darkness that accompanies tribulation makes the light of Jesus Christ shine ever brighter.” Russell M. Nelson

This has been a strange, beautiful, scary, lonely, spiritual, and blessed time. I wonder how I will look back on this time of “sheltering” at home. I have learned and felt so many amazing things! I’ve been truly thankful for my home, a safe and holy place to ride out the storm of disease and fear that has gripped the world. It seems our hearts are softer, and our eyes are more open to see the hand of the Lord, during times of worry and hardship. Truly, He is our shelter, willing to gather us “as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings.”  Fasting and praying with the whole world touched my heart deeply. It was a beautiful reminder that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who hears each of His children, no matter where they live, what they look like, or how they worship. I know He hears me, He hears each of us, and answers us in the way that will most bless us.

“Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.

“Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.” Russell M. Nelson

I always look forward to the semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which takes place in the spring and the fall. I love to hear the Lord’s prophet and apostles speak to us. I love gathering, virtually or in person, with saints from all over the world, to receive spiritual sustenance and healing hope. This month, I counted down the days, the moments, until conference, with almost desperate longing, to gain the needed strength and encouragement I knew, from experience, would come.  I wasn’t disappointed. I never want to forget the sacred, beautiful experiences we had as we listened to the voice of the Lord, through His servants, joined in singing His praises, shouted Hosanna, and soaked in the light and hope only the Savior can bestow.

Lately, I’ve experienced a greater appreciation for my many blessings and opportunities. I’ve keenly felt the absence of temple attendance and spending time with family, who are far away.  I’ve been surprised at missing some things I’ve taken for granted, or even resented, in the past. The Lord is teaching me in a way I don’t think I would have been able to learn under easier circumstances.

With Easter’s approach, my heart has been turned more intensely to feelings of awe and gratitude for the suffering and love of my Redeemer, for me, for those I love, for each and every one of God’s children. I’ve felt a little sad not to be able to gather to sing out “Hosanna” and “Hallelujah” with other believers, but my spirit sings with the joy of knowing He is risen. Contemplating Christ’s anguish during His atonement for our sins, weaknesses, sorrows, and even illnesses,  breaks my heart, leaving it open and tender. How can I express my feelings of deepest gratitude, my utter devotion, my longing to be with Him again? My Jesus. My hope and salvation. My strength and reason for pressing on.

“The sacred events between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are the story of hosanna and hallelujah. Hosanna is our plea for God to save. Hallelujah expresses our praise to the Lord for the hope of salvation and exaltation. In hosanna and hallelujah we recognize the living Jesus Christ as the heart of Easter and latter-day restoration.” Garrett W. Gong

When spring approaches, with warm sunlight and green sprouts on trees and plants, I think of Easter and Christ’s resurrection, of new life. We had complete confidence Jesus would do whatever it took to let us have new life, like the grasses and plants and trees. We are precious to Him. With the ache of missing my mom, who left me so recently, I have been comforted by these evidences of the Savior’s love and sacrifice which make it possible for me to be with Mom and Dad, along with my Heavenly Parents and Brother, and all those I’ve been blessed to love, after this life is over.  I’m forever grateful for the sure knowledge, in my soul, that this life is not the beginning, nor the end, but a temporary training and testing place, in our eternal progression.

Because of Jesus’s beautiful life and example, His suffering and atonement, His death—and especially His ultimate victory over that death—any challenge we face can be met with hope and joy. He is risen! He lives! He will not leave us comfortless, nor forsake us. Hosanna, Hallelujah, and Happy Easter.

“As I have seen the storms that affect people’s lives, I have concluded that no matter what kind of storm is battering us—regardless of whether there is a solution to it or whether there is an end in sight—there is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms. This single refuge provided by our Heavenly Father is our Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement.” Ricardo P. Giménez