Love Like An Ocean

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Easter


We had such a wonderful Easter! We spent a lot of time preparing as a family this year during Holy Week. We really wanted to share Easter with our children, but honestly had no idea how meaningful the preparation would be for us as well. Each morning we read a segment of the Easter story from the Bible. In addition to this, we did special activities throughout the week to help prepare us for Resurrection Sunday. Here's what we did:

Sunday

We had our Palm Sunday Pageant. You can read about it here.

Monday
We made pretzels and talked about them as an Easter symbol. We talked about how pretzels were often considered a Lenten food, how they look like arms folded in prayer, how the three holes could represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how they also look like a heart representing God's love for us.

Tuesday
We dyed our eggs and talked about the new life that they could represent. Hobby Lobby had egg dying kits with a Christian theme.

Wednesday
We made an Easter banner (or bander, as the girls say). They picked out the materials, we made it and then put it away until Easter morning when we put it on our door.


Thursday
I read this article about making Easter a time to remember and combined the two simple passover meal ideas to have an ice cream Seder. Then we took turns washing each others feet.




Friday
We made an attempt at Hot Cross Buns, a traditional Good Friday food, but gave up on that. Instead, I had a coupon for Children's Bibles at Lifeway, so the girls each picked one out. Emma picked out a Really Wooly Bible and Caitlin picked out a Glitter Wings Bible. Those choices won't surprise those of you who know them.


Saturday
We drove a very long distance to purchase what must have been the last set of Resurrection eggs in the area and then made Resurrection cookies that evening before bed.



Sunday

We celebrated our Risen Savior with true joy!



"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."--Matthew 28:6


Oh yeah--and although we decided to go easy on the candy, you can see the girls still did OK.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Rocks Cry Out



It's time for our family's Palm Sunday Pageant. We started this tradition last year. We pulled out jackets and blankets and made a soft path. We cut down palm branches from my parent's yard. We got out Emma's stick horse and pretended it was the donkey. After reading the story from the Bible, we each had a turn playing the part of Jesus, while everyone else waved the palm brances and shouted 'Hosanna'.

It was a fun time for us, but I didn't realize the impact it had until about a month later. We were in a store shopping for Mother's Day gifts and Emma was singing at the top of her lungs. I asked her to lower her voice, adding that not everyone in the store wanted to hear her sing. She responded "...but Mommy, if I don't sing, the rocks will." (Luke 19:40) She's right.

"Hosanna in the highest!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Matthew 21:9

Happy Birthday Papa!

Thursday was my Dad's birthday. We are having a party tomorrow.
Emma and Caitlin answered some questions for me.

How old is Papa?
Emma: 32
Caitlin: 'S'

What is Papa's favorite food?
Emma: carrots
Caitlin: mashed potatoes

What is Papa's favorite color?
Emma: green
Caitlin: red

What kind of party should Papa have?
Caitlin: Hannah Montana
Emma: OK, Hannah Montana

What does Papa like to do?
Emma: grow plans in summertime
Caitlin: play

What would Papa like for his birthday?
Emma: a flower pot
Caitlin: shrug

If you could give Papa anything for his birthday, what would it be?
Emma: a hug or flower seeds
Caitlin: a camera

Happy Birthday Papa! We love you!