Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter....

Highlights from my day:
  • Kids waking us up
  • Cracking an empty egg open to remember the empty tomb
  • Seeing their enjoyment of small treats in their Easter baskets
  • An Easter egg hunt
  • Seeing my girls dress in matching dresses - they are so pretty
  • Going to church - seeing good friends, singing joyful songs, getting a specific encouragement that I really needed from someone I don't really know
  • Going to my parents house and eating a meal made by Mom
  • Seeing my Mom enjoy hiding eggs outside for her grandkids Easter egg hunt
  • Watching my kids and niece search high and low for 48 plastic colored eggs around my parents spacious property
  • Watching my kids give deference to one another and sharing eggs
  • Seeing my Mom decide to stage another egg hunt, inside - more candy for the four kids she didn't have to put to bed
  • Flying kites with the kids
  • A quiet, warm drive home (Maine is so beautiful, and it is just aching to burst out in Spring)
  • Putting the kids to bed.... playing with Sofia, snuggling with Caleb, and giggling with Anna
My heart is full to overflowing with thankfulness for and anticipation of living an Easter life.

Friday, April 10, 2009

More on yesterday....

After three errands that led to frustration... I stopped at a gas station, knowing that at least I could fill up our almost empty van.

While we were waiting, a very kind looking lady came up to my window.

"What does your license plate mean?" (Since we moved to Maine our license plate has been IWILLGO).

So I told her- to remind us that we have tried to say 'yes' to God when He asks us, including our move from NY to ME.

She was blessed by that, and gave me a little Bible - she is one of the great workers of the Gideon Auxiliary.

I sat amazed in the van, that even after a frustrating and tiring morning, a stranger of grace would come to me at a gas station and invite me to rest in God's word.

Coincidence... I choose not to think so.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

It was too beautiful today....

...to be as grumpy and cynical and anxious as I was. Why couldn't I be grumpy on some of the rainy days?

I am wanting to find 'the cause' of my funk, but also want to not fall into a 'rumination' cycle.

Having a bad day happens... it doesn't signal a fall into depression.

I've worked hard all week. Three days of good thinking, good working, great choices... leading my life, not my life leading me.

And the sun came out, and every corner I turned felt cloudy and heavy.

Well, maybe I feel better now that I've thrown up in my blog.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Be nice to them....

Let me begin with this confession: Walmart stresses me out. Shopping there is not ideal for my mental health or for my community.
That being said.

I went to Walmart tonight. We had a few things we needed, and I took the opportunity to buy some treats for Easter baskets. As I was checking out, I was visiting with the checkout lady. I told her I was surprised how easy it was to spend money for Easter baskets - but because I really like my kids I guessed it was okay.

I don't know how we got there, and it didn't feel inappropriate at all. But she ended up sharing with me how much more stressful her job has gotten over the past year. How everyone gets so keyed up with their own personal stress of financial difficulty and that this stress gets played out against the people that make barely minimum wage themselves at Walmart (and I imagine nearly other place we shop.)

I had honestly not thought what times of recession would mean for the folks that work with the cash register in our stores.

So be nice to them. Just be gentle, be kind, give a smile, say a prayer.

Resurrection Story Cookies


Lori, over at allyouhavetogive.com shared this Easter cookie recipe that I think I will try with the kids later this week.

Thanks Lori!

Resurrection Story Cookies

You need to preheat the oven to max degrees (this is important–don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe!)Ingredients: 3 egg whites; 1 cup whole pecans/peanuts; 1 tsp. vinegar; A pinch salt; 1 cup sugar; 2 tsp cornflour; A zipper baggie; A wooden spoon; tape; Bible

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1: 18 and John 3: 1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. (add two teaspoons of cornflour at this stage – whisk until just combined). Read John 19: 28-30

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. (leave large spaces between because they e-x-p-a-n-d!) Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

"Give each child a piece of tape and “seal” the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20, 22

On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Playground

We are blessed to have a really fun playground just 2 miles from our house. Sofia began working on me YESTERDAY morning about going to the playground today. I agreed 'if it isn't raining'. Well, it wasn't raining, but it was quite cold. But I kept my word, and we went. I got some great photos of kids happy to be outside.

And a great cup of gold coast coffee for myself.

first playground trip 2009