Easter, With Family Even Though They Weren't Blood;)



And let the coloring begin!

Food coloring is our favorite dye!

Sister Love and egg dyeing:)

Maybe not the greatest idea!

I love that blue egg and that blue-eyed girl!

This is why we only use food coloring, look at the vibrancy!!

Mika's picture for  the Easter Bunny, Mady is leaving  him a letter...

Rabbits get carrots, broccoli, and water...no cookies!

Easter treats

The egg hunting gang

Sweet Beary in her Easter attire with her "basket"

Let the games begin...

the hunt is on...

Great job girls, you had a blast!!

Well, although Daddy was gone and we are here in PA, Easter was really special! We spent today with five other TTS oilfield families who are all w/o their blood relatives as well! I must say, I never imagined today being such a fun, laughter filled day! The food was great; the "Kickin Corn" was a hit and the 'cream cheese blueberry cobbler thingy' I made, was great too, as always! Thanks to my momma for getting me the dish that makes it so pretty!  The Bass family hosted dinner and a huge egg hunt, like 200 eggs for 12 kiddos and prizes for all of them!

Our morning was spent at home having church and eating Pink Easter pancakes. Our lesson was of course, the Easter story. We discussed the events leading up to Jesus' Resurrection and looked at the 12  Ressurection eggs. I played the song "He's Alive" and we discussed that is was from Peter's point of view, Peter had denied Jesus three times, and that upon Christ's return, He was not mad at him. Wow! We are so loved I explained through my tears. Jesus knows we will fail, heck he can tell us before it ever happens and yet He loves us anyway. We are so unworthy. He knew it and He knew His blood would change that.

We talked about Doubting Thomas and how Momma  feels that I have been right where Thomas was. I played the Nichole Nordeman song "To Know You" and some lyrics that hit me every time are:
 Thomas needed
Proof that You had really risen
Undefeated....
When he placed his fingers
Where the nails once broke Your skin
Did his faith finally begin?
I've lied if I've denied
The common ground I've shared with him

We discussed the verse after Thomas has to see Jesus' skin he says , "My Lord and My God!" and Jesus replies, "Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:28-29  They were excited that they fall into this second  category:)

We colored pictures of the Mary Magdelene discovering the empty tomb and talked about her first reaction and what it must have been like and how the Angel would make you feel.... We listened to "Why" and it struck their hearts as usual... because this time they pretended they were the little girl in the song. Jesus did it for them and it really set the stage for good conversation about why the death was important, but how the resurrection is the VICTORY! I had them retell the story  and I'm confident they are storing it in their hearts, although I know one lesson does not do this story justice. I must live out my faith in it so they see it unfold in my life.

Pink Pancakes

A final note, the Bass family lost their 20 year old son this last November to a massive seizure. Today, as I spoke with them, Mr. Chris Bass just had to let a few tears fall. He said not a day goes by that he doesn't think and hurt for his boy. He said they had to have us all over today or it would have just been too hard. The hurt on his face has me sitting here letting a tear fall as I type. His hurt, God, I don't want to be oblivious it. I don't want to be someone who goes on like all is well in the world. Show me how I can be used to help them, what can I do, God, use me.

Father, I cry out to you on this man's behalf. I keep seeing his hurt on his face and its not something I can let go of. Father, You say You won't place on us more than we can bare, but this man/family is hurting so bad. Father, you tell me not to be anxious but instead come to you in prayer and thanksgiving, so I will try my best. Thank You for the life you gave to them in their son. Thank You for the moments they held him and watched him grow. Please God, place divine peace, divine understanding, divine strength, and a passion for You within this hurting family. By literal means replace the hurt with hope of our real home which is yet to come. God lift the burden of heart and allow them rest. By Jesus Blood I seek this.

This moment I thank You for my daughters. Oh God, you are all-knowing and I see it everyday that you give me to love them. I praise You. You are so worthy of my love and obedience, draw me to You. Thank You for this great plan you made in Your Son. What a day of celebration it will be, when we all see Jesus we'll sing and shout the Victory. Amen.