Easter Blessings

Hey there! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. Mine was pretty spectacular. What made it so great? Okay, you twisted my arm. I will tell you.

On Saturday, my sister-in-law and I took all the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt at the high school football field. They all got lots of eggs and had a great time. While we were there, something unexpected happened. A pastor came out on the field and prayed and told a short version of Christ's Resurrection! Isn't that great! It was over a loud speaker, on school property and everything! Thank you Lord! That did my heart some good.

My boys decided to get buckets with shovels instead of Easter baskets for practical reasons. They could play in the dirt with them later. My daughter chose a fru-fru one with lace and different colors. When we were walking away from the hunt to the car, my youngest son was calling out to passing people, "Happy Eatsupper everyone! Happy Eatsupper!" On the drive to the fast food place, we explained to the kids what Easter was really all about. They were really excited! All weekend, out of nowhere, my youngest son would start hollering, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!" So cute and funny! Did I mention he is only 2 and a half years old? Even though it's pretty loud, I encourage that. I don't ever want my children to have to be silent about their faith. Ever. I want them to be proud of who they are and what they believe in. When I tell him I love him he replies, "I love you too Mommy. God loves us too!" You know what is pretty cool about that? When these boys came to my home 4 months ago, they had never even heard of God. This gives me great joy and hope. Thank you God for helping me to plant a seed in these kids!

One of the reason why he hollers, "Praise the Lord" is that is one of the songs we sing in church. Also, we always have music going in my house. And since I am in a season of surrounding myself with positive things, we listen to, you guessed it, Christian music. It is amazing how easily they catch on to songs. They are constantly surrounded by positive things too, and I really think that is a huge influence on them. Just yesterday, we were walking through the grocery store and all 3 kids were singing worship songs while we shopped. People smiled as they walked by. You never know who was affected by that.

Last night after the kids went to bed, I turned on the TV out of boredom. (Honestly, I was trying to put off getting on the treadmill) I don't usually watch much TV, so I was surprised to see that the 1956 version of Moses was on our local stations. Since I found something I was interested in, I hopped on the treadmill and watched it while I exercised. I watched several different versions of this before New Years in anticipation of my baptism. I am a very visual person and it did my heart good to see the Israelites escape their enemies across the Red Sea. Then, God cut them off from those Egyptians forever. Oh, I get goosebumps just writing this! That's what happens when you get baptized. When you go in the water, your flesh dies. When you come up you are cut off from your past and the enemy that wanted to keep you away from your destiny. You are brand new. You are born again! I was never baptized as a child, but even if I was I would have done it again. Once you understand what it means, really feel it in your heart and soul, it means everything to you. It is like a cement of your love and faith for your God.

When it got to that part in the movie, my heart started racing. It could have been the exercise, but I don't think so. When the sea started bubbling and moving aside, I raised my hands up and said, "Whoohoo! Go God!" Who needs superman when you have the real thing? It gets me every time. I enjoyed it so much I forgot about the time. That is, until my legs started to feel like jelly. I looked down and I had been on that treadmill for a whole hour! I decided that was enough of that. I finished watching the story though. It is truly amazing. That's what Easter makes me think of. I blogged last time about Jesus's sacrifice but it also reminds me that I am born again. I was raised from the dead too.

This morning I woke up and started the pancakes. After we ate breakfast, we read a children's story on the Resurrection of Christ. The kids were just enthralled. At church we all had a great time. The sermon was awesome and the praise and worship was too. My church is the kind that everyone knows everyone and gives everyone hugs during the greeting time. Can you see why I feel so at home there?

After church we had to stop at the grocery store since I forgot cherry tomatoes for the veggie tray. That is sacrilege at my house. I got a text from a friend whose husband is a truck driver. She had decided not to have Easter dinner since he had to be on the rode today. I told her I understood she was sad, but she should have a dinner anyway. After all, I'm cooking a big dinner without my husband. She laughed and replied to let her know if my husband shows up in person. I said, wouldn't that be a big Easter surprise? So, I have something to share with you guys! When I got home there was this guy waiting for me in my driveway......just joking! Had you going didn't I? I'm sorry, you're right. That was pretty mean. Funny though,eh?

We came home and got dinner started. My nephews and kids were playing in the yard. My daughter had my nephews and sons snowed into being her assistants. More like servants. One of them was holding back her lawn chair so she could lounge, one was on his hands and knees providing her with a footrest, one was fanning her, and the other was getting veggies with ranch on it for her from the veggie tray in the house. The sick thing is, they enjoyed it. They thought it was the best game ever! I explained to them that they didn't have to do what she said and they said they knew. They just thought it was funny. After my brother got here, they didn't think it was fun anymore. They found another game to play. Guess it's not cool to look whipped in front of a grown man. I did get lots of pictures of it though. I couldn't resist!

We enjoyed our dinner and we all took naps. The kids played outside some more. They are now all asleep, with full bellies and sunburns. My living room floor is strewn with empty plastic eggs. I even got my homework done tonight. I think I might be on a roll here.

This Easter took on a whole new meaning for me. In the past, what this holiday meant to me was candy, ham dinner, and a new dress. Even though I still enjoy those things, it means so much more. This was the day that my Brother Jesus died for me so that I can have a personal and intimate relationship with my Father. The veil was torn. Death was defeated. Pretty incredible, huh? I am feeling very thankful and blessed to be my Daddy's princess. Hey, who said princesses can't wear jeans?