I get so emotional during Easter weekend. Listening to praise and worship music, listening to the story of Jesus' death.
The story of our Lord and Savior dying for US brings me to tears. Just to think that one man, 33 years of age (the age I am at this very moment), was beaten and stabbed with a spear, was made to carry His own cross through town and listen to people cheer. For what? For US!
I could not fathom my child being born to die on the cross for the greater good of humanity. Especially with the way most of the world acts. However, I am very thankful that there was a man who was willing to take the stakes for you and I. I tell Him everyday!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Well, it has been a few weeks since I posted anything.
Easter was fun! The girls & I went to my little brother's church where he lead the praise & worship that Sunday morning. It was awesome! There church is really nice, not too many people & the music was fantastic! I know my girls enjoyed kids church.
That morning we got up to check on our cookies, well I messed up somewhere & they did not turn out. They were thin & runny in the middle. I found another way to make them, so next year I plan to do it all over again. The girls enjoyed the story that followed along with making them. But while I was beating the mixture Beethoven & I had this discussion:
B: "That is boring!"
Me: "What is?"
B: "That noise!"
B: "Do you like this?" She asks as she stomps her dress shoes on the floor.
Me: "No, that is just annoying."
B: "NO, that is boring!"
So, needless to say, she has boring & annoying confused with one another. It was funny anyway.
We decorated eggs after we got the cookies into the "grave". That was fun as well. That is my most favorite memory of being a child. Sitting around the table covered in newspaper with bowls of different colors & a dozen hard boiled eggs w/my brothers. This is one tradition I will keep going for as long as I can. No one else in my family does this, so the girls & I make enough for my dad, JD & Andrea to eat after we are through.
I love the holidays & I try to find a new tradition that the girls & I can do w/each other every year. Christmas is a hard one since we never know who is going to be here. When I was a child, my brothers & I had to stay in each others room until my parents got up for us to see what Santa brought us (usually one of us would have already snuck out to see). When my sisters came along we would all sleep in mine & my sisters room. We had a daybed w/a trundle underneath, so we would raise the trundle up to make it one huge bed & we would all five sleep in there.We did this until we all started getting married. Then it got too crowded & some of the people did not want to continue this tradition. For me, what is one night w/out sleep together. Oh well.
For Thanksgiving the girls & I usually try out a new recipe. Either a desert or snack recipe. My brothers say the prayer, which are usually awesome to hear! Maybe we can think of a better one to start this year.
New Year's Eve we spend it at my parents' home w/my aunt, cousins, grandma & any other family that is here & not working. We drink margaritas & eat junk food. This year my older brother & his family got to stay & we did Karaoke! It was so much fun! JD & I use to spend it at his cousin's house, but it got too scary driving across town w/all the drunks out there.
What an amazing family I have though & love spending time w/all of them! I would not trade any of them for anything in the world! Some of them I wish I could see more though since they live farther away. Maybe one day we will all be closer.
1C Pecans
1tsp. Vinegar
1C Sugar
3 Egg Whites
Pinch of Salt
Zipper Baggie
Wooden Spoon Tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (important to do before you start, not wait until you are half way done).
Put pecans in zipper baggie. Let children beat them w/wooden spoon.
Explain: After Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read:John 19:1-3
Let children smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp. into mixing bowl.
Explain: When Jesus was thirsty on the Cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read:John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar (Eggs represent Life).
Explain: Jesus gave His live to give us life everlasting. Read:John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it. Put the rest in the bowl.
Explain: Tears are salty. This represents tears shed by Jesus' followers & the bitterness of our own sin. Read:Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain: The sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this & how to belong to Him. Read:Psalm 34:8 & John 3:16
Beat w/mixer on high speed for 15-22 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain: The white color represents the purity in God's eyes of those who's sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read:Isaiah 1:18 & John 3:1-3
Fold in broken buts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax covered cookie sheet.
Explain: Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read:Matthew 27:57-60
Put cookie sheet in oven. Close the door & turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape & seal the oven door.
Explain: Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read:Matthew 27:65-66
Go to bed!
Explain: We may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were sad when the tomb was sealed. Read:John 16:20-22
On Easter morning, open the oven & give everyone a cookie. (Notice the cracked surface & take a bite) The cookies are hollow!
Explain: On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open & empty! Jesus had risen & is alive! Read:Matthew 28:1-9
