He is Risen

This has been the echoing theme in my mind this week as I prepared for Easter. I've had an incredible week of scripture study as I prepared for Easter- actually preparing for Easter for the first time in my life- on my own, and not as an assigned study/lesson for seminary/institute/etc.

As I read my scriptures this week I studied the last week of the Savior's life, reading each day in the four gospels the chronological events as they happened. It helped to think each day of the things the Savior was teaching and doing in what He knew were his last days. I used the time on my daily subway commute to read articles from the March and April Ensigns, which focused on the things we can have in this life because of the Savior's Atonement and resurrection- peace, joy, comfort, hope.

Never have I been more focused, and never has my scripture study been so rewarding. Beginning with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, reading the sermons chosen to be His last messages, and ending with the events of the Atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection it was an incredible journey to really think about the importance and the effect of Christ's ministry here on this earth.

To the testimony given in D&C 76:22, I would like to add my own. "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!"

I think it is significant that this statement ends with an exclamation point- it is a declaration of an incredible truth. Jesus Christ lives! He came to this earth, born of a mortal mother and an immortal father, with the purpose of providing a way for us to return home to our Father in Heaven. Our Heavenly Father knew we would all make mistakes- He gave us the agency so that we could make our own choices- and because He loves us and wants us to return home He created a plan that would allow us to do that. The plan required a Savior, one who would atone for the sins of all the world, who would be willing to die, and to take up His life again.

As the eve of the Passover neared during that last week of Christ's life, He knew what was to come. He prepared His disciples, continued to teach the people, and instituted the Sacrament that we might remember the sacrifice He was soon to make. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane where he bled from every pore as he performed the miraculous and wonderful act of the Atonement, taking upon Him all our sins, all our sorrows. How beautiful and incredible is the love that both He and our Heavenly Father had for us to put in place a plan, and to fulfill a plan that allows us to be forgiven of the things that we will do during our mortal journey here on this earth, to allow us to one day return home and to reach our full potential as children of God.

Willingly he suffered the indignity of the so-called trials during His last night as He was taken and falsely accused, knowing that He must complete the task so that He might rise again- and thus allow all of us to rise again. He was crucified on Calvary, and then His body was placed in the tomb.

On Saturday I pondered what it must have been like the day after the crucifixion, after all the events and turmoil of the day before that next day must have been empty and dark, hollow. They could not have understood how Jesus Christ, the one who was supposed to have been their deliverer could have been taken from this earth. How could this be? How could they have been left alone?

I went to the Temple, and pondered the events of that Easter weekend as I entered the Celestial Room. I was the first to enter and was, for a moment, alone. As I sat in the chair I had an overwhelming feeling of peace and comfort that I was not alone, that truly I was not ever alone. Tears rolled down my face as I felt the love that my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ had for me, as I felt that undeniable truth that Christ's Atonement and Resurrection were for me. Me, personally. Me, individually. This was not just a blanket act with no thought of the recipients or the effect. This was done for each individual on an individual level, because He knows and loves us each individually. His disciples were not left alone, He had promised them before He left that after He was gone He would not leave them comfortless but would send the Comforter to be with them. We have that same Comforter with us today, we do not ever have to be alone.

After that terrible day, Sunday dawned as a new day. Arriving at the Garden Tomb, Mary Magdalene found it empty and the angel declared to her the words that give us hope in this life and for the eternities to come- "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said." (Matthew 28:6)

During the following days He would appear to more of His disciples and give them the charge to take the gospel to the world, to "feed His sheep."

He is risen. I know this to be true. Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer did atone for us, He died and rose again on the third day for us. For me. For you. For everyone. Because of Him we can return home to our Heavenly Father, able to reach our divine potential. We receive the gift of eternal life. And not just eternal life, period. But an eternal life with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families. We can be sealed together for the eternities because we know that even after this short mortal life ends, we will be resurrected and continue on in the eternities. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us, so much so that He sent His Only Begotten Son to die for us that we might be able to live with Him again. I am so grateful for that love, and for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

On a beautiful, sunny Easter morning, this is the joy that I celebrate today. A knowledge of the Savior, of His overwhelming love for me, of the forgiveness available because of His Atonement, of the hope that comes because of His Resurrection, and the joy that we can have now and throughout eternity.

Workin' hard

This week felt like finals week. Seriously. Oh except for the part where I got paid to be crazy busy, that definitely never happened during finals week... Would've been nice.

Here's the scoop on my real job.

Last week was quiet. I was the only person in the office for four days. And I mean the ONLY. person. for. 4. days. I know I'm quiet, but even I was craving some social interaction by the end of the week! Good thing the food delivery people kept accidentally coming to our office instead of the one next door just so I could talk to a human being (on the phone doesn't count). Too bad I didn't get to keep the food ;) To make up for last week being super quiet, this week was crazy. Hence the feeling of it being finals week. Now for what I do...

#1 Draft. Basically drawing on the computer. I either draw new floor plans of buildings we've measured or add to/change ones that have already been drawn by someone else in the office. And if you think you only need one plan for a space, think again! There are lighting plans, electrical plans, construction plan, demolition plans, furniture plans, finish plans, mechanical, plumbing... the list goes on. There are lots of plans. And then once we have plans we have to draw sections (basically cutting through a portion of a wall/building/room/etc.), elevations (drawing whats on the wall- doors, windows, molding, built-in furniture, etc.), and details (showing a "blown up" drawing of a specific connection, material, etc. to really show how its constructed).

#2 Design. Being at the entry level I don't get to do a lot of this, but I actually get to do more than I would have expected at this point which is nice. One of the perks of being at a small firm! Most of the time things are already designed when I receive the sketches to draw but sometimes I get to figure out the details and make the conceptual sketch work, which is fun. I like figuring out if everything is really going to fit/work.

#3 Put together presentations. This is where it felt like finals week. We had a big presentation this week putting together a design package for our clients to show to a developer. We had to have all of the above drawings to try to convince them this was what they wanted.

#4 Talk to the other people involved in the project. Occasionally this is talking to the client, but mostly I talk to the other architects, engineers, reps, etc. to help things move along on the project. The first time the engineers called and asked for me I was a little surprised- if they asked me any questions I wouldn't have had any idea what the answer was. Luckily they just wanted me to send them some files. I can handle that. First engineering conversation- success!

We have lots of projects, and seem to be picking up more every week which is great! Mostly residential with a few commercial projects. I'm learning a TON. Seriously, did I actually learn anything in school? I'm kind of doubting it right now ;) I've basically come to the conclusion that I don't know anything. That's kind of my life conclusion right now actually. I don't know anything, and thats okay because I have a lifetime of new learning every day! Isn't it great :)

Just workin' in my cubicle.

This happened about halfway through the month. Not cool. Luckily I managed to fix my computer speaker so I could listen to music on there.

Some days I get to upgrade from PB&J. Not often, but sometimes.

Some days I pretend like I'm a real New Yorker with my Starbucks muffin and my hot chocolate.

Some days random things happen on 5th Avenue. This is the Mitzvah Tank Parade- apparently each of those is a mobile education center/mini-synagogue.

I can't remember for sure but I think this is my "Yay! I get to see people again" face.

The update

I've kind of been a slacker with the blog the last couple months. In my defense, I was busy trying to find a job. Which I did. Yay! So it's official, I have an architecture job in NYC :) But between all the resume sending out, portfolio editing, networking, working, and eating, sleeping, etc. I fell a little behind... so the following is a photo update of my adventures the last couple months.

I've been to a few meetings at the Center for Architecture- which I discovered, on the third or fourth time I went there, happens to be right by Washington Square Park.

Visiting Federal Hall- the site of George Washington's Inauguration as President- on Inauguration Day.

Winter Jam NYC in the Park. Just so happened to come the day after one of our snow storms. (Pretty sure they still had to make fake snow in order to do everything like they were going to anyway).

Visiting the library- one of my favorite places.

Celebrating at the Grand Central Centennial!

Attempt #1 at painting my room. Fail. Because it was snowing... and 90% humidity.

You can't really tell, but this is a delicious peanut butter, cream cheese, and chocolate chip sandwich. My friend Elise showed us the deliciousness of Peanut Butter & Co in Greenwich Village.

Guess what...

... I got to see???

Wicked! So. Much. Fun. Thanks to my friend Elise for letting me have the winning ticket :)

Valentine's Day. In real life this looked more pink than purple.

Attempt #2 at painting my walls. Success! Now they are bright and clean :)

 

Celebrating Chinese New Year. The Chinese wards and branches put on a dinner and show of traditional performances. Including the Lion Dance. The green ball on the stage is lettuce (I don't remember why that is sorry). During the dance the lion "ate" the lettuce and then threw all the pieces on the little kids in the front row. You've never seen kids so excited to have lettuce thrown at them. They thought it was the greatest thing in the world!



 

Working at my real job. Where I still eat PB&J (not from PB & Co though), the lunch of champions. You thought you outgrew that in the third grade? Ha, not if you're a student or a recent graduate. Still cheaper than anything else around!

 

 

Luckily, there are nights when I get to enjoy a buffet of chocolate desserts to make up for it. These are the dishes from the last get together of our Iron Chef group. Each month there is a specified ingredient and everybody brings a dish with that ingredient in it. So far I've been to the mint, citrus, and chocolate (see the yummy picture above) events. At this one I literally ate a plateful of chocolate desserts (had to try them all!). They were delicious, but I may have felt a little sick later. I made my first cheescake ever- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. And it was pretty good if I say so myself. Chocolate. Yum.

 

 

Snow

Well, winter brings snow. Anybody who has spent a few years in Rexburg ought to know that ;) However, in NYC winter does not bring a ton of snow (just cold), at least not this year. So I was kind of excited the couple times it snowed so that I could check out my favorite place... Central Park... in the snow. And it was pretty great. I do love pretty white snow, and it looks fantastic in the park. Outside the park, however, is a dirty, slushy, puddly disaster. Not so fun for getting anywhere. But we're going to forget about all this and just look at pretty pictures of the park :)

Okay, I lied. This picture isn't of the park...

 

The lake is frozen!

The park was packed. Seriously, more people than I've ever seen there. And there were tons of families with kids making their way to the park with their sleds :)

 

 

New Year's at Times Square

I figured this was a "one and done" kind of deal. I mean, I figured I had to do it since I'm here but realized I would probably never want to do it again. I was correct.

But don't you worry, it was still fun! And I am definitely glad I went! I just don't feel the need to go freeze again next year ;)

Waiting...

Still waiting...

We got there early in the afternoon, and after getting told at every block we just had to go one more (ha) we finally ended up getting access to the area at about 50th street. We were definitely out of the immediate Times Square area but we at least had a clear view of the ball! Once we were in our spot we waited... and waited... and waited... and waited. Eventually they turned the screen on near us so we could see the performances happening around the area and have a little music. That made the waiting much more enjoyable.

Only 1 hour to go!

Luckily it wasn't tooooo freezing cold. Definitely cold, but it could have been much, much worse. Although it could have felt okay because of the excessive amount of layers I was wearing. Either way, it worked out well. But layers can only do so much good... so after about 8 hours I was definitely cold.

Yep, still waiting.

After all the waiting and freezing, the performances (which we got to hear multiple times because they kept piping in the performers warming up so by the time we actually heard the performance we might have been sick of a few songs... ironically, one of the songs starts with "here we go again..."), we finally made it to midnight (well almost midnight of course). And the COUNTDOWN began! Gotta admit, all the freezing and waiting was made worth it by being in a cheering mass of people as we counted down to the New Year in NYC :) And there were fireworks... and music... and fun, of course.

 

 

Happy New Year from NYC!