my Easter Sunday

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been encouraging people to use the hashtag #becauseofhim, so I want to dedicate my Easter post to this. I rarely talk openly about my faith on social media, so bare with me I guess.

Because of him, I can do hard things. I can survive my lows. I can find joy in times of discomfort and I can find peace in times of trial. 

This is something that I learn more times than I want to, and something that I know I will keep learning. I've expressed on my blog before how last year was a really hard year for me. It wasn't just one thing that happened, it was everything. I felt like one thing was hitting me after another. I could never really gain control of my life, and this was particularly hard for me as someone who struggles with anxiety problems. It is especially hard for me to think back to one point where I felt so broken down that I finally kneeled and prayed and told my Heavenly Father I can't do this anymore. I very quickly felt a response of No, you can't, but we can. I have hit so many times in my life where relying on the Lord has been essential for me.

I have been thinking a lot about how when I am really struggling or really hurting that I tend to take this attitude of no one can really understand what I am going through. I think that a lot of people feel this way, and we cling to this adolescent idea that no one "gets" us. But really this is kind of true. Our experiences on this earth are all entirely unique to us. We are all effected by the same things in different ways. We feel our own pain, and we feel our own joy, and in a way, no one does get it. But, then I always remember that Jesus does. He suffered for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. He suffered for me. He experienced all my pain and all my joy, and He always knows exactly what I am going through.

I could not be more grateful to know that Christ lives. He has carried me through many trials and will carry me through many more. But, He is not only there when I am hurting, He is there when I am happy too, and I will praise Him continually for the comfort and happiness He gives me.

Because of Him, I can be with my family for forever.

Because of Him, I know that I will live again.

Because of Him, I am never more than a prayer away from feeling peace.

I know that Christ came to this earth to save us, I know that He died for us, and I know that He lives for us. My faith means everything to me, and I daily strive to live in a way that makes my love for Heavenly Father known to those around me.

peace & love, for He has risen

my last winter hurrah

Happy Easter everyone!! Lucky me, I got to spend my Easter with my parents, my sister Diane, and my cute nephew James. I even got visited by the Easter bunny, but there is no denying that hanging out with this little guy was better than any chocolate bunny (but, ok yeah, the chocolate bunny was good too).

But, Easter wasn't the only reason the fam was in town this weekend., we were also soaking in the last little bit of winter--unless it chooses to strike again with this fickle Utah weather--with a trip up to The Canyons to do some skiing. The snow was definitely slushy, but it was still fun to hit the slopes with my papa and my sister while mom took over grandma duty at the condo with James. 

Other than being the usual, taking it easy and sticking to the blue square runs (intermediate courses for those of you who are unfamiliar with skiing), we did have a little adventure going down the slopes. Skiing what seemed like a nice run, we started to notice tiny rocks trickling down the side of the mountain, this didn't seem too bothersome, they were just pebbles, but then we started hearing giant cracking sounds...this is when Diane and I decided that perhaps we should ski off this mountain as quickly as possible.  When we got to the base of the hill, we looked back up and saw that an entire boulder had fallen right where we had just been skiing. We, of course, skied back later so we could get picture with our huge rock as evidence of our Indiana Jones moment...and perhaps to validate our momentary terror. 

Even though my face is now a little burned, my knees are more than a little sore, and I am very tired, but trying to catch up on all the homework that I neglected this weekend, it was a very fun weekend. Thanks for comin' out fam. 

   

peace. love. and slopes. 

oh and one last cute shot to wish you a happy week....

my Greek adventures

I know this is a little late, but you are going to have to forgive me. I am currently taking my first lazy day in 3 months, and I feel like I deserve it. But, I figured that I would take this weeks blog post to tell you all about Greece and next weeks post to wrap up on my explorations in Paris. Here we go...

Day 1:

We hit some of the major sights for our first day. Namely, the Acropolis. It was so cool to see things that I have studied in classes in real life. Plus we found some fun things to hike around on, and there is not much hiking around to do in Paris, so it was good change of pace. 

 Unfortunately this day it decided to keep changing between bright sunny and hot, cold and cloudy, and raining. But, we enjoyed the sunny moments and hid during the rainy ones. Lucky for us, everything was also free to get into all weekend because it was Greek Easter weekend. Awesome.

These are the two girls that I traveled with. McCall and Sydney. I wouldn't have picked anyone else to of gone on such a fun adventure with. 

I absolutely love Greek yogurt, and who knew that wasn't just a name, but they actually eat a ton of Greek yogurt in Greece. We discovered a place called Fresko that was kind of like a frozen yogurt bar with Greek yogurt. You got a big scoop of original Greek yogurt, then you selected from fruit, honey, nuts and other delicious things. Naturally, we stopped here every day. (If you are looking for good Greek yogurt in the US my favorite is Fage with some agave in it. so. good.)

That night I also discovered how insane good Greek food is. I believe this dish was called moussaka. Maybe I loved Greek food so much because a lot of it was meat and potatoes...and tzatziki which tastes good on everything.

Day 2: This day was much nicer. Sunny, warm, and awesome all day.

We started off the day with Greek yogurt (of course) followed by a trip to Zeus's temple.

We went to the Athens Olympic stadium which provided us with a wonderfully informative audio guide. Even though I was tiny when the Olympics came to Atlanta, I still remember them running by with the torch. Olympics are so cool.

 This stadium was so cool, and had the best view from the top...even though we had to climb 1000 (not literally) stairs to get there.

Obviously we had a little fun posing on the number 1 box.

To keep it going trying the Greek food, we bought some Greek bread. It tasted like a giant sesame seed bagel, so in other words I loved it. 

When we were walking home we came upon this, a lamb roasting outside a bunch of restaurants. So this seems like a good time for me to explain Greek Easter (to the best of my ability) and how awesome it is. So the night before Easter (the Saturday that I am telling you about right now) everyone gathers at a Greek Orthodox church in Greece and lights candles. The flame that they use to light their candles is flown in from Jerusalem, as well as a Priest to administer Mass on Easter eve, and many people who make a pilgrimage to this spot that we just so happened to be in. We joined all the people in front of the church at 11 with our candles in hand. It was a beautiful sight to see hundreds of candles lit as the people prepared to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. At midnight, all the Greeks hugged and kissed their loved ones as fireworks began to be set off. It was one of the most magical things standing in the darkness only lit by candles welcoming Easter Sunday. After this all of the people either went back to their homes or stopped at one of the many restaurants to eat the roasted lambs that you see above. We decided to eat our lamb the next day, since we had big plans for tomorrow. 

Day 3 (Happy second Easter!): Island day!!

 Sunday morning, we made our way down to the port and caught a boat to the Greek island Aegina. 

 Naturally being on a boat and having just watched Titanic in 3D, it only felt appropriate that we reenact some, "I'm king of the world!" and "I'm flying Jack!" scenes. 

Once we got to the island we were instantly stunned by how gorgeous it was. The water there was literally sapphire and turquoise. To make our way around the island we rented some scooters, and started driving along the coast, though we stopped quite often for some island photo shoots, marveling at the island, and to see some sights.

 Seriously though, isn't this island perfect?

Just look at that water!

 After taking in the coast, we road our scooters up to a temple on the hill for a gorgeous view and then a ride back through the villages to get back to where we needed to turn in our scooters. We got lost quite a bit so it's a really good thing that the Greek people are probably some of the nicest we ever met. You never even had to ask for directions, they just gave them to you, and sometimes they even just led us where we needed to go.

 We had a splendid day on the island, and the ride home was just as great. 

That night (after eating more Greek yogurt) we had to try some of that barbecued lamb, and it was insane good! A perfect last meal in Greece.

ειρήνη. αγάπη. and Καλό Πάσχα

(yes that is was we had to try and decipher when we were reading maps and trying to get places. no wonder we got lost.)

my springy Easter weekend

To start out with JOYEUSE PAQUES!! I celebrated Easter a little different this year (you know since I'm in France). But, of course will be having what the Cronquist family calls "fake Easter" when all the college kids get back from school and their various adventures, and I have also reminded my mom that I would still very much like to dye Easter eggs upon my return (don't forget mama bear!). 

Anyways...to kick off the Easter weekend, on Friday a bunch of the girls headed to Giverny. The home of my absolute favorite painter Monet (we even share the same birthday and I couldn't be more honored). He had the most beautiful home surrounded by one of the most fantastic flower gardens ever. Since it is spring time now, it was in full bloom and really got the warm cheeriness in me going!

Love this garden. Love this house. Love Monet.

And now, we proceed to Saturday where I took a little trip to Pere Lachaise, the famous French cemetery. This actually has nothing to do with my Easter, it's just what I did. I really wanted to go there for some unexplained reason, perhaps just because of it's fame, and I'm not going to lie, I really wanted to kiss Oscar Wilde's grave. It's just what you are supposed to do! And I mean out of all the sights I've been to in France, it was time I hit this one. (And as a side note...it's common knowledge that Jim Morrison is buried here, right? and it is common knowledge who that is also, right?...a little surprised that no one else in the group knew that...guess I'll just chalk it up to my fascination with pop culture and great memory for famous people's names.) 

Giving Oscar Wilde's grave a big smooch!

And we have come to the big day Easter!! I just absolutely love this holiday. Not only because it often means a new dress, cute baby animals, and chocolates, but of course because it is a day set aside to celebrate that our savior lives!! I loved getting to sing the Easter hymns in French this morning, they were even more beautiful. The celebration of Christ's resurrection is a miraculous thing and I can't wait to get to celebrate it again at our "fake Easter" family get together. 

I'm going to miss our ward here in Paris!

 To get a little culture in my life, I also went to Easter Mass at Notre Dame de Paris. I had no idea what they were saying or doing the whole time, but it was still fascinating to see.
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It was absolutely packed inside Notre Dame for mass.

Outside after mass. Notice that it got cold again? Forced to wear a jacket and tights on Easter.

Well, I have been insanely blessed to have spent the last few months in Paris!! I will be heading to Greece on Friday, back to Paris on Monday, to Utah on Wednesday, and HOME next Sunday. (a whirl wind in the next two weeks!). I will not be able to post next Sunday as I will be staying in a hostel in Athens, but I will post by Wednesday. 

Wish me luck in my travels and see you all soon!!

paix. amour. et Paques