Aren't Volcanos Cool?

I know there are probably some people out there that would disagree with me--especially those living and/or stranded in Europe--but I have to say that they amaze. I was talking to my co-workers today and saw this video (see below) on the volcano that just erupted in Iceland, and I decided that if I hadn't majored in Humanities, Earth Science would have been my alternative.


As much as I'd love to see an erupting volcano in person (umm, not at all--way to scary), I do hope to one day see the lava fields on the Big Island. How awesome would that be?

I guess in the meantime I have to be satisfied with this active (what? I thought it was dormant) volcano:

And this one:

Hody, hody, doprovody...

...Dejte vejce malovaný.
Nedáte-li, malovaný,

Dejte aspoň bílý,

Slepička Vám snese jiný.

(Give me a painted egg.

If you don't give me a painted egg

At least give me a white one,

The hen will give you another.)

Every Monday after Easter,  I always think back to my time in the Czech Republic as a missionary. On that day, my mission companion and I got permission to stay indoors most of the day. Why, you ask?

Well, on this day tradition has it that all the menfolk go around and whip the womenfolk with their pomlázky (whips made out of braided pussy-willow branches). The willow branches are supposed to bring youth and health to all that are whipped with them. In return, the women give these beautifully painted eggs to the men. Go figure!

 Back in the day, the whipping was more of a light swat, but in later years the guys have become more brutal. I remember looking out our living room window while I was studying Czech and watching this hoard of teenage boys hounding a couple of teenage girls. Their pomlázky were at least four feet long!

I didn't have time to dig out my pictures from that day, but we had a friend and fellow ward member stop by to give us our Easter whippings. It was hilarious!

One of my other most favorite things in the Czech Republic were the holiday markets. For Vanoce (Christmas) and Velikonoce (Easter), huge outdoor markets could be found in the town náměstí (plaza). I've seen nothing like them before, nor since! At the Velikonoce market I bought at least a dozen of the above eggs, and a pomlázka of my very own--the tricky part was figuring out how to get them home after my mission.

What fond memories!

Here's to the Česká Republika and all their amazing traditions!

And here's to all my amazing Czech friends and their hospitality!

Easter...

I've been thinking a lot lately about the different incidents that have been happening all over the world, from the wars and natural disasters happening in far off lands to intolerance and hatred occurring in our own country. These are the last days that the prophets having been foretelling for centuries.

 I feel like there are so many people out there that are bitter and without hope. Some question if  there is a God. Others go as far to ridicule those who do believe in a higher being.

I am so grateful for the faith and knowledge that I have. I know that there is a God, and that He is our loving Heavenly Father. He sent his son, Jesus the Christ, to earth to suffer and die for our sins, and for every trial, inadequacy, or sorrow we have ever felt. He did this because He loves us.

I'm grateful for my Savior's suffering and for His ressurection. It is through His love, humility, and sacrifice that we are able to return and live with our Heavenly Father some day.

I love Easter! I love that on this holy day we celebrate that He lives!

And, oh, how I love Him!