My Sister

My sister who is 6 years younger than me had a baby yesterday. I am a bit protective of her, though she really doesn't need me to be-she is a big girl. Over the past few years we have become best friends, not just sisters.

Yesterday, she also became my hero. I watched her spend many hours in labor and she remained in control through each contraction. I have gone through the process of childbirth a few times and I feel that I can say I know what she was going through. She rocked. I am so proud of her. Even when she "gave in" and got an epidural, I couldn't believe her stamina and determination.

Her baby eventually came by c-section, but even in that moment I still only had admiration for all she went through. She was so strong yesterday. I pray her little boy someday will understand the strength and love of his mommy and that he too will look at her as a hero.

Easter Pictures

Here are pictures from yesterday. It is one of the few times we all get dressed up. It's fun, I wonder why we don't do it more. And we all clean up fairly well too.Emma in all her Easter finery. Hat, purse and all.All the kids braved the chilly temps for a picture. what a handsome group!

We enjoyed a great church service, then dinner with the Christner's and an Easter egg hunt. The kids had a blast. Emma really enjoyed it this year, especially when she opened her first egg and it had chocolate. The adults are brainstorming ways to make the hunt last a bit longer next year, it was over in record time.

Then we spent the evening with the Maxson's and Robertson's. We enjoyed a great meal and lots of fun. The kids has spent Saturday decorating eggs and sugar cookies with Grandma. It was a good time with family.

HE IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Today I am Thankful for...

...sunshine. It is still a bit chilly for my liking, but the sunshine today is warm. I love when you step into sunshine and you can feel that warmth wash over you. AHHHH...Love it!

...Alex. This morning we were continuing our discussion on John 3:16 and the week of Easter. We were talking about how Christ's death on the cross should cause us to live differently. We were talking about some of those choices as we were pulling up to daycare. One of the suggestions was to pray. Alex then said, "Which reminds me, we still need to pray this morning." So after everyone's coat was hung up and everyone was checked in, we gathered in a small circle and prayed. Again...LOVE IT!

...pulled pork BBQ. It's what is in the crock pot as we speak. Let me tell you, it may be what gets me through this day. :-) That and some homemade french fries...YUMMO!

Car Rides with the kids and God

I have been loving the trip from the house to daycare this week. It is Spring Break so all of the kids are spending the day at daycare. We began the week working on memorizing ALL of John 3:16. They all knew at least the first half. Yesterday it was awesome to listen to them share the story of Palm Sunday and then work through to Christ's Resurrection and ascension. Today we talked about Judas and Peter's betrayals and their different responses to their sins. We talked about how even when we mess up (no matter how big it is) God can still use us. It was really cool to hear Alex talk about how Peter was called "rock" by Jesus. I got to explain that a little bit more to him and his siblings.

They get it!! And that is the coolest part. I love to hear them talk about the Bible, the works of Christ, and to hear them pray. I have been so richly blessed and they are such testaments to the simple faith of children.

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On another note, Stephen was officially born. :-)

OK-I had to get his birth certificate so that he can go to Kindergarten. My baby boy is going to Kindergarten. I have spent the past few days reflecting on this fact. It is hard to believe that in a few months I will have only one child that is NOT in elementary school. CRAZY! (On another side note-hopefully no one will be in diapers at that point. After 9 straight years of diapers, I think I am ready for that phase to pass.) I know that Stephen is so excited to go to school with his older brothers and ride the bus, and I think Alex and Jack are excited to show him the ropes. Time sure does fly by, it definitely makes me appreciate the little things

-like the car rides filled with TRUTH.

Today I am Thankful for...

...the "living and active" word of God. It always amazes me when I actually take the time to dwell in His word on a daily basis, how different my perspective on life can be. (Kind of makes me wonder why I don't do it every day!) Today I spent time with God in the book of James (one of my favorites) and then into 1 Corinthians. My ability to cope with the chaos of the morning, with the demands of my children, with the hurting people on the phone has been strengthened. His word is so powerful and I love that it is alive and active-in me.

...Stephen. He made my morning a great one. He is the one child I get one on one time with in the car. (Captive audience.) He was in a grouchy mood, but after some teasing and funny voices he was soon giggling. We had such a great time waiting in the preschool drop off line.

...the health of my children. I am painfully aware of other mothers who cannot say the same thing. I pray for their children to be healed and for the strength to fight for those children when they cannot fight for themselves. But each story of someone's child being sick, reminds me to be grateful for the health of my children. This winter was filled with lots of cruddy stuff, but nothing more serious than a fever and the flu. I thank God for that.

The Cross

On Tuesday mornings our church staff gathers together for prayer. Today we worked through the 8 stations of the cross. We dealt with Christ's condemnation all the way through to His burial, ending with communion.

As we approach Holy Week next week, I know that this experience will paint new perspectives for me. Often I feel like I gloss over the events leading up to the resurrection. We talk about the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and then we hurriedly work through the trial, beatings, carrying of the cross, mocking, nailing, hanging, and death to the stone being rolled away. I love the fact that Jesus has risen but I wonder what I miss by not dealing with the cross, by not dealing with the messy hard stuff.

It was my sin that nailed Him to the cross. I can't lay the blame on anyone else. The weight of my sin caused His body to stumble as He carried that cross.

So often we are challenged to pick up our cross to feel the burden that Jesus did. But that is hard and dirty and do we really want to do that? I know that my first reaction is "no". But if I don't join in the suffering of His death, then how can I ever expect to fully embrace the power of the resurrection. (Philippians 3:10-11) Without death there can be no resurrection.

I challenge you to consider the entire story of Easter. Look at the cost of the cross. Look at the way those that were there treated Christ. Look at all the times when He could have shouted or even whispered who He was and called down angels and shaken everyone into believing in Him. Yet He remained quiet, even telling the "Daughters of Jerusalem...weep for yourselves and your children." (Luke 23:28) Look at your part in this story. View it from the standpoint that He did this all, because He loves you!