Happy Easter!

Happy Easter

A very Happy Easter to all! In Chile they do not wish others "Happy Easter." In fact they thought I was very strange or random, to make cards and give out banana bread (I guess that is a random treat!) They do like chocolate eggs and bunnies, though, and sometimes even hide (only, or in plastic eggs) chocolate!

The Easter Bunny (also called the Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare) is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide. A story in 1682, refers to a German tradition of an Easter Hare bringing Easter eggs for the children. 
It's strange to celebrate Easter in the fall, but the season does not make the holiest day less sacred. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of our wonderful Apostles and always a poignant speaker said:
"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel.
Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you]". (April 2009 conference address). 
What a priceless gift we have been given to receive comfort and strength in our trials, and joy if we endure well and notice the small miracles of every day.

I have been especially mindful and grateful as I have performed sacred ordinances in the temple, for those who have left me a wonderful heritage of hard work,  have valued education, a love for beauty in many forms, a love for family, and a faith in a loving God. When my time comes, I look forward to knowing more of them and continuing to grow through their teaching and association. I think we are all surrounded by angels! I'm so happy to be proxy in performing temple ordinances for those who died before having that opportunity in this life.

I walked around Santiago looking for churches decorated for Palm Sunday, and only found the beautiful stone (1586) San Francisco Church (founded by Jesuits) with olive branches and lilies (for Easter):

The original church has been destroyed 3 times by fire and another by earthquake.
I shed tears when I watched videos of the horrendous fire this past week that destroyed the roof, interior woodwork, the famous spire and much  more of my favorite cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris.  
I visited it for the first time as a student in 1964, and have taken so many students and my family over the years to share this treasure. I do understand the 1000's of French protesters, however, who know that the funds needed for the poor will mostly go towards the rebuilding of this exquisite church (?)



Santiago's Metropolitan Cathedral (below), the fourth on the site (Plaza de Armas), was destroyed by earthquakes, and rebuilt.

The crypts in many churches have been built below ground to symbolize the tomb of Christ,where He was buried, and from which He was resurrected.

In any entirely different vein, I enjoyed the exhibit at the University of Chile down the street on the life and work of famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and artist wife Frida Kahlo, and their tumultuous relationship. They were certainly icons and active Trotsky Communists. I began learning about them in Mexico several years ago.

Early 1900's house became University of Chile gallery

When they married in 1929, her artist father said "an elephant has married a dove." She died in 1954 after complications of an accident in which she suffered a spinal injury when young, he died in 1957. He received several commissions for murals  in NYC, Detroit, San Francisco, and Mexico City, usually depicting struggles of the lower classes, Depression era scenes. She is know for many self portraits, her Calla Lilies and other Mexican peasant paintings. They had many and various pets, too!

Frida (German father and Mexican mother) continued to paint from her wheelchair and even when bed-ridden. 

Rivera's Flower Carrier (struggle of peasants in capitalist society)

Agrarian leader Zapata (1931)

Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park (Mexico City) 1947

A few scenes (not quite so dramatic) on a Santiago afternoon ...

Getting ready for "Day of Chilean Cooking" on the Plaza. Maybe the police dog will get in on the feast.

A crowd gathered on Plaza de Armas to listen to Luis Alberto Martinez, romantic singer

Ministry of Defense plaque stating that on this site many were detained, imprisoned and tortured in 1973 during coup d'etat.

Mural in a University of Chile bookstore

Downtown campus of U. of Chile on Bernardo O'Higgins

We try to eat more of the delicious fruit available, but we do have to celebrate birthdays (below: Dan Wallace, fifth from left, and Lorie Marchant on right) with cake, even after a long day Friday at the temple, and before an even busier one, Saturday. We are laughing because Steve pushed video instead of photo on my phone camera. Warning: if you are male, you may risk losing your hair and your mind if you have too many birthdays!

Today is the temple sealing of a wonderful Chinese couple and their 13 month old, who have lived in Chile for 4 years, but are moving very soon to Mexico. It is fun and challenging to conduct ceremonies in Spanish, English and Chinese. Sunday I am hoping my French comes back as we give a baby shower for 2 Haitian friends and their friends. Will I be able to explain the silly games? I no longer speak any language very well!