Easter Pageant

I look forward each Easter to the Easter Pageant presented on the Arizona Temple Grounds.
It is one of the largest pageants in the Church. The Pageant brings back memories of the many years our family participated in the pageant. Vernon, Ray,Kenneth, Melvin and Margie were all angels that begin the Pageant.
I attended the dress rehearsal of the Easter Pageant on March 27, 2012. My camera can't take good pictures in the dark and so far away but they still help me enjoy the memories. Jay had the part of James, one of the twelve apostles, several different years. Amy, Dean and I enjoyed being part of the family of the apostles and were in various scenes. One year Margie was kneeling at my knee as we prayed together in a final scene that they no longer do. One year we were in the pageant when Kasey was one of the children. The Ellingsons have also been in the pageant several years in various parts. Rebekah and Emily have both been one of the Ten Virgins and Kyle, the little crippled boy that Christ heals. The Pageant changes a little from year to year but it has remained pretty much the same the 29 years we have been involved in some way in it. I am grateful for the memories and the opportunity I have each year to see it again and live the Easter Story. I am grateful for my testimony of the Easter message of the Resurrection, especially this year as I look forward to being reunited with my eternal companion again. I am so grateful for the message of Easter, that He Lives and has overcome death.
This scene is the Garden of Eden.
Prophets foretold the birth of Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World.
The shepherds come to give their gifts to the baby Jesus. This year a good friend in our ward was the middle shepherd in this photo.
Christ calls his twelve disciples and gives them the Priesthood authority.
Christ set the example for us and established His church.
Christ heals their sick that are brought to Him.
"As I have loved you, love one another".

Christ teaches with parables. This portrays the parable of the ten virgins and the need to be prepared for His coming.

Christ blesses the little children.
Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
The Last Supper. Christ gives them the Sacrament.
Christ washes his disciples feet .
Christ prays in Gethsemane.
Christ's Crucifixion.
Mary comes to the tomb and finds it empty. She does not at first recognize the resurrected Christ.
Angels rejoice at Christ's resurrection.
"I Know He Lives" . The pageant also is presented several times in Spanish. They then sing "Yo Se Que Vive".
I found my friends from our ward that are in the pageant and tried to get their photo as they sang.
I love watching the Easter Pageant and look forward every Easter to this opportunity to review the live of Christ and his atonement and resurrection. I am so grateful for the great gift he gave us of eternal life.

The message of the Easter Pageant is a powerful one.
I enjoyed seeing the temple as I walked back to my car among the thousands of people that attended the pageant.
Easter has even more meaning for me this year as I anticipate being again reunited with Jay in a place where there will be no more parting. I am so grateful for the testimony I have that Christ lives, that He was resurrected and because of His atonement we can return to live with our Heavenly Father if we live worthy. I pray that we can all be there together.

Beautiful Arizona Spring

We are enjoying a beautiful Spring in Arizona. The flowers around the temple are so lovely.
My geraniums are beautiful too.
I enjoy beautiful flowers.

Marlene, Ray, Amy and I met at Cafe Rio for a lunch together on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Rauna wasn't able to come.

Seussical

My grandson Dale likes to perform and is a great performer. He was one of the leads in the musical performed by Copperstar Repertory Company during March 2012 at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts.
Dale was cast as Jojo. He was so fun to watch. He is a great actor and singer.
Dale had several solos. He said that playing the part of Jojo was his dream role.
During the show besides singing Dale rode his unicycle, slid down a slide, jumped on the trampoline and did lots of cute dances.
The show began with Dale playing the part of Jojo and "The Cat in the Hat" .
Oh the Things You Can Think
The action begins when Horton the elephant hears a cry for help that no one else can hear coming from a dust speck.
Nobody believes him, but the dust speck is the planet of Who, the tiniest planet in the sky.
On Who, the boy Jojo is scolded by his parents for thinking outlandish thoughts.
Jojo and Horton talk about how nobody understands them.
Back in the jungle, the bird, Gertrude McFuzz is sad because her only tail has one feather and Horton never notices her. A very showy bird, Mayzie, suggests some feather growing pills. Gertrude overdoes it, resulting in a very huge tail.
Still doubting Horton, the animals get the evil eagle, Vlad Vladikoff, to steal the clover that is protecting Who and drop it into an entire field of clovers.













As Horton searches for Who, Gertrude wants Horton to notice her new tail, but he's distracted and she gives up
As Horton searches for Who, Gertrude wants Horton to notice her new tail, but he's distracted and she gives up

Mayzie calls him from her nest. Bored sitting on her egg, she asks Horton to sit on it while she takes a break.
Horton agrees and ends up sitting on the egg for months until hunters take him to New York and sell him to a circus.







Horton is sad until Gertrude finds him. She tells the story of her tail, now back to one feather.
Gertrude finds Horton's clover and saved the planet of Who.

Trouble continue, however, because the jungle animals put Horton on trial for talking to a dust speck and sitting on an egg. Horton urges the Whos to shout as loud as they can to be heard.
Little Jojo gives a great yell and is finally heard.
Finally Horton's egg hatches and an elephant bird emerges. Horton and Gertrude decide to take care of the little one together combining their strengths. Horton's on land and Gertrude's in the air.
They had some really cute costumes.
At the end they had a cute dance to Green Eggs and Ham.
It was a cute production.
My grandson was so fun to watch.

Dale took his bow at the end of the show.

There were four leads in the show, The Cat in the Hat, the elephant Horton, Jojo, the little boy and Gertrude, the bird.
They had a lot of fun putting together this production. They let their imaginations run wild and had fun in the make believe world. Dr. Seuss frees the child within us all and allows the fanciful
It is great to have talented grandchildren to provide me with good entertainment.
Here Dale (Jojo) is with Mayor and Mrs. Mayor (his parents) in Whoville.
Dale and Gertrude, the bird.
Dale and The Cat in the Hat.
Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Some members of the Seussical cast.
The Who Children were so cute with their blue hair.
Ray and I enjoyed taking "the star of the show" home.
Ray enjoyed visiting with Jeannette on the phone while we waited for Dale.
Dale rode his unicycle out to meet us. It was a great evening of entertainment.