An Easter Walk

My friend Catherine recently shared the tradition of her family's Easter walk. I thought, "This is the perfect activity for us". So during those pre-church hours, I gathered the kids and we began to search for "treasures" that tell the story of the Savior's last week.  

First we sought out something pointy and sharp that represented the crown of thorns. We found quite a few pointy branches.

"And they clothed him in purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head" (Mark 15:17). 

Next they found some wood (or something made of wood) to represent the cross.

"And [Jesus] bearing his cross went forth into a place called...Golgotha: Where they crucified Him"(John 19:17-18).

We found lots of dead plants to remind us of the Christ's death.  

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into they hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost" (Luke 23:46).

Then Kenna and Brett found some black dirt while Max found a charred log - both black to represent the darkness that fell over the earth after the crucifixion, as recorded in both The New Testament and The Book of Mormon.
"And there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst" (Luke 23: 44-45).

There were lots of smooth round objects to represent the round stone placed in front of the tomb.

A friend of Jesus "wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre" (Mark 15:46).

And the final clue was something alive and beautiful to represent Christ's resurrection. Spring has come a bit late here so we had to really search for a pretty wild flower.  A little bit life springing forth.  
"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (Matthew 28:5-6).

Every time we pass the park now, Brett will tell me, "That's where we went on the walk in my Spiderman boots!"  I hope they remember a bit more than that.  Being outside, exploring, and looking for those things that represent our greatest treasure - life and hope through Christ, made it a wonderful morning.
"We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (2 Nephi 25:26).