Easter

This Easter was like none before.

We had a ward musical fireside with about ten songs performed celebrating the Savior Jesus Christ. I sang "Abide with Me Tis Eventide" in a duet with a friend. It's been a long time since I performed anything singing. It's far more frightening to me than getting up in front of thousands interpreting. After some serious sweaty hands I felt like I'd done well and it was a great evening.



I volunteered at the White House Easter Egg Roll as an interpreter. There were 300 people dressed up in Character costumes. They had numerous activities including Yoga, Hula Hoops, Football, Storytime, and a Music Stage. Most of these I only briefly grazed with my eyes. I was assigned to the music stage, which meant I spend all my time in a secure area with all the visiting talent, the VIP tent stocked with food, and twenty minutes between each show to meet people. Michelle Obama walked past me and tapped me on the shoulder and said "Happy Easter." It took a moment to register who that familiar face was and by then she was gone. I also met Sarah Bareilles, Justin Beiber, The Jonas Brothers, and several Sesame Street Cast members including Maria and Gordon. I found them to be pleasant and personable. Maria was as excited to see how I signed certain things as I was to meet her. By far, Elmo was the highlight of the day. A friend of mine has a niece who loves Elmo dearly. Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo, kindly made this movie for me when had asked for merely a picture.



Yes, Elmo ate my Blackberry.

I enjoyed a fun Easter Egg Hunt and a big Easter dinner with friends (you are never too old for some things). After all this excitement, I must say that the best part and best celebration of Easter still occurred in a simple Sacrament Meeting at Church as I took the bread and water and remembered Christ's resurrection and Atonement. It was the most powerful experience of all and the most pure celebration of Easter. The cool thing is anyone can have that experience and they don't need a talented voice, a ticket to the White House, or hard boiled eggs to enjoy it.