Happy Smingus Dingus

I hope you are reading this post on Monday, April 13th! Because if you are, it's not too late to join in on a fun Polish Holiday.

The Monday after Easter is the craziest day of the year in Poland--Smingus Dingus (pronounced Shmeengus Deengus). It's a national water fight day. All day long, there are no limitations to who you can soak: friend or stranger, old or young, boy or girl. (Traditionally, the holiday started as a day for boys to soak girls that they liked, but it has evolved to an equal gender water fight).

I have vivid memories waking up that first Smingus Dingus day in Poland and looking outside to see the streets completely empty (everyone tries to stay inside that day). And then I spotted a young boy with goggles and a backpack full of water. He was walking around looking for his first victim. We begged the Elders to postpone district meeting, but they insisted we come to the meetinghouse. An hour later, that same young boy we saw ended up getting us as we jumped onto the public tram. Later, as we walked down an empty sidewalk in the city, we heard the alarming sound of water dropping a few feet ahead of us. We looked up to the tall apartment building and we could see some heads poking out of windows. We ran, but we were too easy of a target. By the time we got to the meetinghouse, we were horrified and wet. But of course our dear Elders were anxiously waiting there to soak us from the upper windows as we unlocked the main door. Oh, the fun of being in a new country!

So, that's one Holiday I have to hang on to.

Poor Paul!

He is my main target right now, because our girls wouldn't understand, and our neighbors wouldn't like it. The great thing is, I think he's forgotten about it! I try not to bring it up. I'd hate to get soaked first.

Last year, I almost forgot about it. At about 10pm, Paul was coming up the stairs for us to go to sleep. I poured a small amount of water from a drinking glass and got him good. It shocked him SO bad! He said that he was just thinking, "what was that for?" He thought I must have been mad at him or something. I can't wait for his reaction tonight as he is mowing the lawn (laughing).

UPDATE: some have requested to know how it ended. Well, he was too quick while mowing the lawn, but just before we ended our yard work, I called him over, saying, "do you know what today is?" and sprayed him a little. He had totally forgot, but he admitted that I was pretty nice to him to not soak him worse. I admit, I was afraid to get it back. But he just kept smiling, and I knew revenge would come sometime that night. Right before bed, he got me while I was coming up the stairs, when I was totally not expecting it! We called it even and went to bed on good terms.

The Blessing of the Resurrection for Cameron

I'm grateful this Easter weekend to have a real reminder of how wonderful Christ's resurrection really is.

A young man I knew, Cameron Merrill, just passed away on Thursday after battling cancer for over two years. I was Cameron's MTC teacher in 2001. Elder Merrill was kind, humble, friendly, and full of love. I was impressed by his maturity at a young age, and his great desire to do what was right in the sight of God. I knew he would be a remarkable missionary in Poland.

I only saw Cameron a couple times after his mission, but I noticed he was still a friend to all. He was optimistic about life and seemed to be doing well. He made me feel like a close friend, even though we didn't have much contact.

Just over a week ago, I heard that Cameron had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and had little time to live. I learned that he was married 2 years ago, but had battled with cancer for that entire time.

For a few days, I felt sick about the sad news. I couldn't stop thinking of all the pain and heartache he had been through. I kept thinking of his young wife who knew she'd be a widow soon. I thought of all the potential that Cameron had for his future--such a good man that could do so much good. But for some reason, the Lord was allowing him to have a shorter path on Earth. He was forced to prepare sooner for his return to his Maker. He had gone through a faster refiner's fire, that must have given him the chance to prepare.

When I heard of his tragic illness a week ago, I decided that I would call him. I figured out how I would get his number, but that's as far as I got. I didn't realize I needed to act fast. I missed my chance to tell him how grateful I was for his example and friendship.

But I know that beyond the sadness and loss that all who know him must feel, we can have hope to see him again. We can know that his spirit lives on, and is in Paradise. He has passed his earthly test, and one day his spirit will reunite with his perfect, glorified body--free of cancer and pain. This gift has been given to all people--good and bad.

On the first Easter morning, two thousand years ago, Christ overcame death and rose from the grave. He is the reason we celebrate Easter. He brings new life and hope to all.