Happy Easter! He has Risen!

A few goodies from the Easter Bunny.

Very excited to remove the tape from the oven where we left our Resurrection Cookies.

A peek inside and of course...

the much awaited taste.

What a beautiful day! Jesus Christ has indeed risen! "But the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised as He said...." Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter and peace be yours, today and always.

Resurrection Cookies

On Saturday, Lily Grace and I made Resurection Cookies. I've had this recipe for years. It was given to me back when I was teaching school and it was pretty special to share it for the first time with my own little girl. It is a very simple but meaningful recipe and one that I can promise you will be a part of our Easter family tradition for years to come. This recipe does a great job of explaining the Easter story. Here is the one I used, but you can find several others on the internet as well. I've posted it below in case you would like to share this special activity with your little ones.

To Be Made the Evening Before Easter

1c. whole pecans, 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch of salt, 1 c. sugar, zipper baggie, wood spoon and Bible

Preheat your oven to 30o BEFORE BEGINNING

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.

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. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. 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.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to 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.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.

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 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matthew 28:1-9 and Luke 23:27

(Teachers Network)

The Cross

I remember a couple of years ago, sitting in church and as the cross was being carried up to the alter, Lily Grace shouts, "Hey, the plus sign!" Today, is quite different. This Easter season, the cross has come to mean so much more to her. More than the Easter Bunny, or dying eggs, she is really interested in the cross and loves to discuss it's meaning and what it represents. This weekend we spent some special time making our own "stained glass" cross. We grated some crayons, laid the shavings between two pieces of wax paper and then added some heat. Lily Grace then cut out the cross and we hung it with ribbon by our kitchen table. It's quite cute and is a wonderful reminder of how our little girl's love for the Lord is growing.

I pray that she continue to grow in her love for Him. I pray to be a good example of living for Christ. It's hard sometimes. Do you remember when you were little and you didn't doubt or question, you just loved the Lord with all your heart? It's so easy to get wrapped up in day to day life that we sometimes seem to live more for the next task at hand, appointment or opinion of us, rather than just focusing on God's plan for us. He doesn't ask anything terribly hard of us if you think about it. He asks some of the same things that we ask of our own children, things like loving him, making good choices and to think of others. We forget God in the small moments, like in traffic or other trivial times that may tests our patience. I know that I do. I often times give much more attention to the external things of life rather than on prayer and yes, maybe even focusing on things like the cross and truly embracing and remembering how much God really does love me. And I know that in order to continue to foster that love that my daughter has for the Lord, I must be that example myself.

"Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15