Tuesday, April 19, 2011

God So Loved The World by Cherry (GIVEAWAY)



There was an account recorded in a book called the Book of Mormon wherein Jesus Christ visited the people in the Western Hemisphere, the Americas, after He was resurrected. He showed Himself as the resurrected Savior, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God whom the prophets testified will come to atone for the sins of the world. The people whose lives were spared witnessed His coming and testified of that great and glorious day.


When I was a little girl [about 6 years old], I remember Easter was celebrated in our country [Philippines] focusing on the ministry, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because my family and I were the only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, most of the religious practices I saw my relatives do appeared odd to my young, curious mind. One example was not taking a bath on a certain day because my grandmother said that God is dead. Nevertheless, I continue to look forward for Easter every year, there was that unexplainable excitement in my heart every time I hear people talking about God and watching stories about His life.

The whole week before and esp. on Easter Sunday media and entertainment industry were more involved in the celebration showing most of the time movies about God. Because we didn't have the luxury and convenience of watching TV at home, we would wait for that day when the nearest Protestant church would share something kind and special to the community. They would set up a projector theater in their churchyard with a huge, white linen mounted on a tall, concrete fence serving as a big screen then they would invite people to come in and enjoy the movie about the life, ministry and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ.

As soon as the sun would set, and the night called for the moon and the stars to spare some light, my dad, my brother and I would excitedly dance our way to that community church. As all other girls my age that time would feel, my eyes were filled with amazement and heart swelled with so much gladness and joy.

I have a profound memories of my childhood and of those days. My father would always tell us stories from the scriptures esp. about Jesus and the miracles the He performed. I felt like the scriptures would come to life when I would actually see it on the movie. But either way, what has really impacted my life, even as a young girl, was learning and knowing that Jesus is a loving God. His compassion for people has really touched my heart and my life. I then believed and has always believed that He would do the same thing for me [and you] and that He lives and I can always count on Him.

Since then, I have always placed Jesus Christ in the center of my life. I know that He will never harshly judge my weaknesses and shortcomings, but He is there to forgive if I repent of my sins. I know that He will keep His promise that He will come again to rule and reign with those who will faithfully endure till the end.

"For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life."

Easter is special to me. It is the celebration of the Lord's resurrection---HE LIVES! He obeyed our Father's will and overcame death . With that comes along the glorious truth that we too will be resurrected and that we can have the chance to live with God and with our family and loved ones in eternities to come.


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Thank you, Cherry, for this lovely testimony!



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Now for our final Easter Blog Party Giveaway
from

Modern Bunny Rabbit Silhouette - 8x10 Printable

You could win this or any print of equal value at their shop.

To Enter, do any of the following:

1.  Visit Plum Street Prints and let me know which print you'd choose.

2.  COMMENT on Cherry's words in this post.

3.  SHARE your favorite Easter activity from our Easter Blog Party via email, blog or FB.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

I will announce the winner on Friday!

Personalized Salt Lake Temple Wedding Print - Printable 8x10  Nothing is Impossible - 8x10 Printable Art

37 comments:

  1. what great memories. My one and only penpal was from Manila...Nanette Noprado. I often where she is today. But she didn't share such customs...but then we were young and had other chitchat to share. Thanks for yours.

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  2. interesting memories of Easter in another land...

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  3. Love the Salt Lake Temple Print, that is so awesome! Really enjoyed Cherry's testimony too :) I love celebrating Christs Resurrection, I hope to be able to teach my children the true meaning of Easter instead of just the Easter bunnies and such that today's society capitalizes on.

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  4. I would choose either the 'I Am A Child of God' or 'I Love You Just the Way You Are' to hang in my daughter's room, or maybe the 'MTC map' for my son's. Hmmm... Thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. I appreciated that Cherry said that Easter had an impact on her even as a child. It's my hope that our Easter celebrations have the same impact on our children.

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  6. this is a very nice post and a nice way to hear how other people love the gospel.

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  7. I would choose the personalized temple one. My sister is getting married next month and it would be perfect!

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  8. The "Impossible" print really catches my eye! What a great thought.

    Hearing this Easter story makes me yearn for simpler days, times when every 'holiday' wasn't commercialized. Posts like this help me feel renewed gratitude to our Savior for His sacrifices for us all.

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  9. I love the "I am a Child of God" print. I have a newborn daughter and I want to hang it in her room to remind her of this message always.

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  10. I loved Cherry's mention of how innately excited she was for Easter's celebration of God and watching the life of Christ on the big screen. This is testimony to me that children are blessed with a natural faith in and love of God.

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  11. My favorite of the Easter Blog Party posts is the post about making every Sunday Easter Sunday (Rebecca Holt Stay). I realized that I am not doing enough to honor the sacredness of the sacrament. I now understand more fully how I can truly become a new person and closer to Christ as I make a conscious effort each Sunday to partake of the sacrament more sacredly into my heart.

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  12. Thanks to Cherry for a beautiful testimony.

    =)

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  13. I am having a hard time deciding between the Love is Spoken Here and the Modern Bunny Rabbit Silhouette.

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  14. I love the bunny print. But I think I would have to choose love is spoken here.

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  15. Thank you Cherry for an inspiring message.

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  16. I love the "I love you just the way you are" print.

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  17. I love the 'I'm Possible' quote!! Adorable!!

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  18. What a wonderful story- it is so neat to hear of the beautiful testimonies and spiritual experiences from around the world!

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  19. I'm in love with the "nothing is impossible" quote. I'm so glad I found your site. Such great ideas and stories!

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  20. I love Cherry's testimony. It makes me want to make my Easter more simple, more centered on Christ...instead of bunnies and toys.

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  21. I really like Sarah's story about planting tulips with her family every October and the parallelism of Gospel truths. They're always there, we just forget them sometimes.

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  22. The Paper Dolls Trio is super cute. I could see that in my three little girls' shared room.

    jfn22664@hotmail.com

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  23. My family and I tried the resurrection rolls last night for FHE. It was such a hit- the making of it, the discussion, and especially the tasting. I'm thinking this may become a tradition. Thank you for sharing!

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  24. You find the best shops! I love the patterns on pretty much all the prints, but I am torn between the bunny and the multihearts print.

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  25. Thank you Cherry for sharing beautiful memories and your testimony.
    Blessings to you! LeAnn

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  26. i loved reading about the way she learned about and celebrated Easter as a child! My husband's family are not members and I have enjoyed learning more about their Easter traditions to add to our own!

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  27. I love the temple print and I love the multi colored hearts-my girls would adore that one!

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  28. I love the one that say I love you just as you are. It would be PERFECT for my daughter's bathroom!!

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  29. I loved Cherry's tesitmony. So UPLIFTING!!

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  30. Love the compassion of Jesus Cherry shares . . .

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  31. Wonderful Blog! I love the 'I Am A Child of God' print. Thanks!

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  32. I love the Nothing is Impossible - haven't seen that quote until visiting your blog today.

    Thanks for the opportunity.

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  33. I was impressed while reading Cherry's comments that Easter was made special for her by her parents. The love of Easter and our Savior came at an early age and has continued into adulthood. I hope I can do the same for my children. Thank you for many wonderful ideas from this post and the others.

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  34. I would love the XOXO love print!

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  35. i love the impossible print. I can't decide what is my favorite easter activity, i am so glad that i found your blog...on our list of things things to do for tomorrrow since the kids are our of school: paper plate tombs, egg tree, and walking children through holy week!

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  36. Thank you so much for your testimony. I love you.

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