This
is such an unusual time as our country and the world deals with
recovering
from the Covid-19 pandemic. We pray for each of you and look
forward
to having our lives return to a time where people can
comfortably be together.
But we have happy news.
We look forward to meeting in person the newest members of our family.
parents: Jeff and Rochelle
born March 24, 2020
(our 36th grandchild)
Smyth Nelson Ireland
parents: Trent and Jessica
born March 31, 2020
(our 12th great-grandchild)
James Curtis Smith - great-grandson
parents: Trevor and Megan
born September 10, 2019
Dean Howard Ireland - great-grandson
parents: Judd and Amy
born November 16, 2019
parents: Trevor and Megan
born September 10, 2019
parents: Judd and Amy
born November 16, 2019
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It
was a memorable Easter with Beth and Todd delivering to our front door a
delicious ham dinner with "Ireland Cheese Cake" for dessert. This came after Sam and I had appreciated our worship service with music provided by the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square, partaking of the sacrament, and joining the online worship service provided by BYUtv. We loved our phone visits with each of our families. We have much to be thankful for and love each of you. We do feel blessed.
This photo represents why we celebrate Easter:
First, and most important of
all, because of the Savior and His resurrection.
Next, we are always
thankful for the blessings of family and friends.
And, of course, not to
be forgotten are the fun times and memories
associated with family
traditions, including Easter egg hunts.
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Some of Beth's family came to enjoy an evening
in our backyard on April 10th,
but Sam and I stayed inside maintaining our self-isolation.
Sam keeps the lawn mowed and looking nice.
Our flowering pear trees are in bloom.
We are comfortable in our home and backyard, and we sometimes go for a walk or a ride around the neighborhood while keeping the recommended distance from others. Beth and Todd bring to our front door milk, eggs, fruit, etc. when we let them know our desires. We have watched some movies while sitting comfortably in our living room, and I have enjoyed working on a "Shutterfly" album remembering our family reunions from 1997 to the one held in Spanish Fork in 2013.
Our fun family photo taken at our family reunion in Colorado, 1997.
We have been enjoying attending a "Book of Mormon" BYU study class on Thursday evenings. At first we met at the institute building here in Spanish Fork, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we now are meeting online in a Zoom meeting. Our excellent BYU instructor is Carl Bowcut, and we like having the class online.
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"How the Virus Stole Easter"
By: Kristi Bothur
With a nod to Dr. Seuss
Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.
“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.
“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.
The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.
“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.
“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.
“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.
And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.
But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!
The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!
Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!
It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”
“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”
Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
And what happened then?
Well....the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
The churches are empty - but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.
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