He is Risen!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

What a glorious day of hope and joy. We have had an amazing week -- it started with our church's "Journey to the Tomb," where families spent time in a Jerusalem market place and then walked on a path through the woods to meet the family who owned the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the children who lived in the house with the Upper Room, Malchus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the women at the cross who prepared Jesus' body and the gardener who proclaimed the exciting events that first Easter day. Then, we had an amazing Palm Sunday packed with children waving branches and singing "Hosanna." Thursday evening, we attended a Biblical Meal (with Turner) and learned about the last supper and traditions during those times and took communion. Friday at CBS, we listened to the convicting words of the old song, "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" And today, we sang Alleluia! He is risen!

What an awesome and radical faith we proclaim in Christ Jesus!

Turner and Parker have taken it all in, too.

I would be telling a story if I portrayed our Easter morning as "picture perfect." It began with Parker screaming that he did NOT like his precious madras outfit I had planned for him. He cried and screamed, "Take IT OFF!" until it just wasn't worth it to us. We compromised on another outfit and...(drum roll, please)...Thomas the Train boots. Yes, he wore those to church on Easter. Frankly, the battle just wasn't worth it, and I was definitely LOSING my Easter joy fighting it! :) He looked adorable anyway. Turner was trying to convince him to wear it by saying, "It's ok, Parker. I don't love my dress, either. But, I am wearing it to church and then changing right afterwards!" To which Thomas sarcastically said, "Now THAT'S the Easter spirit: Suffer in your dress through church and have the HOPE that you will get to put on a NEW dress when you get home."

Then, we finally got in the car. Parker said, "Where we goin', Mommy?"

"To church!"

More big tears started rolling. "I not going to church! I don't want to! I want to go to Disney!"

To which Thomas calmly replied (again employing his great sarcasm skills), "Parker, did Mickey Mouse die for your sins on the cross?"

Nice.

So...our morning required a heap of grace and a good sense of humor. Which really is thematic on a day when God's grace was made perfect. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice. And praises that we serve a forgiving, loving, amazing God with a great sense of humor.

Why I love Community Bible Study and the Kids' Program...

We were all in the car tonight, running late on the way to soccer. Thomas is the coach, Parker had fallen and scraped both knees, Turner couldn't find her shin guards, etc., etc.

Needless to say, Thomas was really stressed. From the back seat, Turner said, "Dad, don't forget God is strong and mighty. There is nothing God can't do!"

We all took a deep breath and felt better, and Thomas thanked her on the way home for her reminder.


From the mouths of babes...

Swimmer!

Turner is officially signed up for swim team and will be a Woodcreek Wave! She is so excited and has been telling the WORLD that she's going to be on swim team. Now...if she can make it across the pool, we are in BUSINESS! :)

Spring Fever

Spring is in the air! It's been beautiful, and we've been spending as much time as possible OUTSIDE. With temperatures in the low 80s, we know that the hot days of summer are coming. So, we have to enjoy the bug-free, cooler afternoons while we have them!

Our neighbors had quite a few trees cut down today, and it was GREAT entertainment. Both kids watched for an hour and would have stayed if we had let them.

Also, we all planted some pretty flowers in pots and some peppers for our back porch "garden!" :)

Neigh!

So, I woke up with no voice today -- the pollen has finally gotten me! I am pretty sure it was God's way of telling me to LISTEN today at Bible study, instead of talking. He had some good things for me...

Anyway, I was trying to explain to Parker that I had "lost" my voice and could not read a long book to him at nap time. He thought really hard, and then he looked at me and said, "Mommy, go FIND it. Please!"

The Zoo

We met The Figarettis at the zoo today! It was great to see them and so fun to see the animals. We had not been in a while, and Parker was prime age! He LOVED it. We prayed for every animal tonight at bedtime -- so precious.

Old Friends!

The Shulers came to visit us this past weekend! It was so much fun to hang out with old, awesome friends and see their boys. The kids did really well together, and they all kept us going! We enjoyed: Soccer, parks, golf carting, Partner's Pizza, Jump 2 It, many April Fools jokes, movie nights, hiking to the beaver dam, playing games and just plain BEING together!

Big Church

I took Turner with me to "Big" church yesterday. She loved it. She saw several teachers from preschool and other family friends. Then, we took communion together, which was really special. We even kneeled at the altar and prayed a forgiveness prayer together. It was amazing how much she tuned into, including that the Bible verse was from the book of "Micah," which happens to be our Godson's name!

Anyway, after church and many vigorous waves and points to people during the service, she looked at me and said, "MOM! I LOVE big church. Can we go together every week? I knew EVERYONE. And they even had a SNACK!" :)

What a gift to see the worship of our Almighty God through the eyes of a five year old who GETS IT. The church is -- after all -- the community of people. And thank God for a life-giving "snack" that reminds us we are cleansed in His righteousness forever!

Slumber Party

We had our first slumber party in the bunk beds last night, and it was truly priceless!

Thomas and I sat in the hallway outside the door to Parker's room listening to conversations such as these:

"Parker, I really DO love you. A lot. BUT, I do NOT want to hear from you AGAIN before tomorrow morning! Ok?"

"Ok, Sissy."

"Hey, Parker, do you want to play 'Simon Says?'"
*****
They did finally give it up around 9:30. Then, this morning was so sweet...Turner told us that Parker climbed up to her bunk and gave her a big hug and said, "I love you, Sissy!"

Priceless stuff! We are blessed!