Easter weekend

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the 

surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, 

so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

What hope we have!
This morning, I read the passage above, after a very FULL
and BEAUTIFUL Easter weekend..... and my heart was so thankful.
I love the reminder that Christ works through me,
 .... a broken, jar of clay.

Our weekend started off Friday when we had our family Easter party.
(pictured in the post before this one!!)
A couple of weeks back, I had a silly panic attack that my little ones, especially #4 & #5
were missing out on the traditional, school "holiday parties."
So I purposed that we were going to have our very own shin-dig.
I'd been telling Whit for a number of weeks about my idea,
and let her help me pick out decorations and candy for our party....
she decided on a yellow theme!
It was so cute watching her choose items for the party.

Friday morning, we woke up, and Whit and I went to work getting
our table decorated. Again, I loved watching how she chose to decorate.
Boy, she has her own opinions and ideas :) The table turned out lovely.
Ellie had made a menu for our party,
and she graciously put together a lot of the food.
We dyed eggs, which was quite fun .... and also later decorated sugar cookies.

That night, we had a very meaningful Good Friday service at our church.
A first for me, since attending my childhood church.
We read through and meditated on the last 7 statements of Jesus
before He died on the cross, extinguishing a candle after each scripture reading.
Finally after the 7th, the lights went out and we were given opportunity
to take our sins to the cross and leave in silence.
No fellowship, very somber, a time of "wanting" and "waiting" for more.
and then .....

Easter morning.
HE IS RISEN!!!

We had a sweet time with the children before Sunday morning worship.
Looking for Easter baskets, preparing for a full day of celebration and fellowship.
Ellie was up before I was, putting her Challah bread in the oven!
I am SO proud of that girl.

I had the privilege of teaching Children's church ....
so fun to walk through the 12 "resurrection eggs" with the kids.
They all went home with a dozen eggs,
each containing a symbol of the Easter story.
I think they loved it ..... and so did my crew, who got to come and
serve with me. I love that we can do ministry together.
How I want to teach my kids to have servants' hearts!

And then back home for food, fellowship ....  and of course the Masters!
We had a number of folks join us for a yummy, Easter meal.
It was a sweet, SWEET afternoon with our covenant family.

:: I hope your weekend was filled with the knowledge
of the surpassing power of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ! ::