Birthday Celebration

According to the Government I am now an official Senior Citizen.

Which means I get discounts and Social Security, though not old enough to get Medicare health coverage. Oh well, I may never see that benefit.

To celebrate Michael and I went down to the Carl Bloch exhibit at the BYU Art Museum. It was fantastic. It was so impressive and the Spirit was felt so strong. Carl Bloch's art is a testimony and witness of the truthfulness of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A special reminder as we approach this Easter Season to remember that He did atone for our sins, if we will repent and Come Unto Him. He was crucified and did die on the cross and then as he said he would, as written in the scriptures, he did arise from the grave, breaking the chains of death, and was resurrected, his body and spirit to never be separated again. And He has given us that gift of resurrection.

The tickets are free but you do need to reserve a space. Go on line to http:// carlbloch.byu.edu/. I suggest the earlier the better. Our tickets were for 11:30 and we got there at 11:00 and by the time we waited in line to get our "Ipad" (well worth the $3.00) for a personal narrative of the art piece and got in it was 11:30. When we left at 1 pm the lines were more than twice as long.

The art work was amazing and the pieces were very large. I had no idea that so many of the art shown on our Ensign magazines and other art displays including in the Temple are from him. Exhibit ends first week in May.

We then made our traditional stop at Brick Oven for a custom made pizza (our favorite alfredo sauce with spinach, chicken, and tomatoes) and their famous homemade rootbeer in frosted mugs.

When they brought our order the waiter realized they had put tomato sauce on instead of alfredo sauce so they told us to enjoy that one and they made us the correct one(free) to take home. They also surprised us with a happy birthday song and a free slice of chocolate mousse pie.


It was ward Temple night and since we always try to attend the Temple on our birthdays and anniversary we went with our dear friends the Hamblins to the Bountiful Temple.
We left an hour early to attend the 6 pm session and it was a good thing because the session was an overflow with about 100 people. It was a joy to be taught in the House of the Lord, eternal principles and to feel the Spirit. The Lord has said that He will visit His people in the Temple. As Pres. Monson said, It is in the Holy Temples of the Lord that Heaven meets Earth.

It is a place where we can get away from the worldly things and to focus on the spiritual things. Not only are we doing saving ordinances in behalf of those who have passed on without that opportunity but we are also strengthening our own testimony and faith in Jesus Christ our Savior.
After our session about 16 of us gathered at Paradise Bakery for a light dinner

and my dear friend Nancy bought some petite carrot cup cakes for me and everyone sang Happy Birthday. It was a wonderful, unplanned birthday party, with friends and neighbors from the ward.

We returned home and listened to many messages of Happy Birthday left on our answer machine and a box of Mrs. Field's cookies and flowers left on our door step. In addition there were text messages, phone calls, and emails all helping me to celebrate the anniversary of my birth.

I am thank-ful for a wonderful family who has given me so much over the years and made this birthday special.


I am also thank-ful for my parents who gave me birth and my best friend who joined me as a twin.