THE HOWARDS: Easter Sunday!

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years before. Because of their hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minneapolis and flew to Florida on Friday, and his wife was flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel, and unlike years ago, there was a computer in his room, and he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without noticing his error, sent the e-mail to the wrong address. Meanwhile... somewhere in Houston... a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a Minster who was called home to glory after suffering a heart attack.

The widdow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends.

After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and then glanced up and saw the computer screnn which read:

To: My Loving Wife

Date: Friday, June 6, 2007

Subject: I have arrived!

My dearest love:

I know you are suprised to hear from me. They have computers here now, and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I have just arrived and have been checked in..

I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow,and look forward to seeing you then. I hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

PS: It sure is hot down here!!!

haha, that is how Elder Nolan D. Archibald of the seventy started his talk today during stake conference. What a great spirit he had. I loved his talk and hearing about the atonement. He talked about the law of justice going hand in hand with the law of mercy and how the operate constantly. He also talked a lot about how blessings are the result of our obedience to the laws and commandments we are given and how crucial it is for our progression. He stated that there are two acts that come from the atonement: unconditional and conditional (to repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost and endure to the end). It was great hearing such an uplifting message on a beautiful day like today when we commemorate our Savior's life on this earth. It makes me feel so happy to know that our Redeemer willingly performed a sinless sacrifice for all mankind. I am so grateful that because of that reason, we have the opportunity to live with our Heavenly Father again if we become humble, submissive to Heavenly Father's will, and do all we can to hold on to the iron rod.

Our Stake President decided to talk to us about gratitude. He mentioned how most of the time we are too busy thinking of what blessings we will be requesting for next, and quickly forget to give thanks unto God for what he already has blessed us with. There is one question we all need to ask ourselves: What can I do to show my Heavenly Father I am grateful for the temple?— really, what can we do to thank Him for the great joy that temples are to us? Thanks to temples a huge purpose of our church is fulfilled: eternal families. Gratitude leads to humility, which leads to a sense of satisfaction regardless of our situation. Gratitude comes from a sense of being indebted to someone... we owe our Heavenly Father everything! His love is so big that he created us, and blesses us immensely everyday.

President Averett closed his talk by saying that we are changed for the better and grow in the attitude of gratitude. Always try to develop time and energy to show gratitude.

Besides the talks, after church we went over to Abe's grandma's house to have an easter get together with the rest of Abe's family. It was fun, and of course I was able to see my babies!! They seemed a bit confused at first when they saw us walking in but oh how we love them and they love us just as much.