Anticipating Easter

Where we were the weeks leading up to Easter...

Children's choir on Palm Sunday (Victor is the plaid shirt just behind the pianist)

The boys each got to pick out a packet of seeds for us to plant. 

(Victor: watermelon, Josiah: wildflowers, Elliot: corn, plus quite a handful of others).

The first thrilling shoot!

Hot cross buns and handmade notes for our neighbors before Easter, 

praying that God will let the light of Christ shine on their hearts, even to new life!

This fine fellow, soaking in sunshine at a little backyard barbecue on the day before Easter

Our Easter "sugar cookie cake"

What a sweet season!

Celebration

We've enjoyed the celebration of the 4th of July this week!

Monday  night the boys were thrilled to watch a parade (complete with the huge mosquito float... ??) and gather a fresh bag of candy along with some friends.

Hearkening back about a decade, we partook of "red, white, and blue breakfast," comprised of raspberries, blueberries, and vanilla ice cream. A big hit.

We had a terrific time hosting a picnic lunch, full of a fun crowd of special people. If I counted correctly, there were 55 or so people (including 37 kids!). We were "berry bombed" by the sweet Bodes, who brought two flats of fresh-picked strawberries to surprise us! The lunch tables groaned under all the "pot-blessing" dishes shared by everyone. It was delightful.

Of course, in the mix of things I somehow neglected to capture one single picture of the fun.

Even my flowers seemed particularly bright in honor of the occasion. :)

Before supper, the boys had a refreshing run through the sprinkler.

All in all, much to be thankful for. Most of all, glad for the One who ransomed us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. Freedom indeed!

He Is Risen...

Oh, so much to be thankful for today!

Despite a bit of mastitis that hit me on Friday, and despite a last-ditch puke for Josiah at 2am last night, we all met this Resurrection Sunday morning feeling quite joyful and well.

We started the morning with a little "searching for something" scavenger hunt 

(like the women, who went to the tomb to care for Jesus' body but did not find Him there). 

Their surprise included matching spring jackets for the big boys and a new(er) copy

of one of our Bible story books which has come upon hard times. 

 

The boys also talked through the Holy Week events using the Resurrection Eggs with Daddy.

Josiah got to open up the last egg.

 

There was nothing inside!

Sweet to hear our boys explaining this empty egg.

Victor: Josiah, the egg is empty because the tomb was empty. 

Because Jesus rose from the dead!

Two dapper-looking Katterson men heading to the early service at church 

(while the "sick, weak, and infirm" stayed home).

Victor got to eat a donut on the way 

(with a hole in the middle, of course, because the tomb was empty!)

Josiah had a great appetite, but with his middle-of-the-night upset tummy, no donut for him.

So, we had "empty tomb toast," and he got to roll the "stone" away 

to see that nothing was there!

We also Facetimed with Grandad and Grammy.

Elliot was feeling mighty fine.

In God's kindness, we were still able to host our Sunday lunch gathering!

It was lovely to enjoy time with our Katterson cousins, Pop-Pop, and the Clausens.

It was just a delightful, sunny afternoon.

We enjoyed a feast of food, lots of fun fellowship, games, and a candy hunt.

To finish off the day, we soaked in the evening sun with supper on the deck.

These were truly special moments, but to be honest, our greatest joy today is the unshakable reality of Resurrection Sunday. That God gave His own Son, who lived perfectly and died to pay the debt of our own sins, and then who rose again to prove that He was indeed the triumphant, redeeming Son of God--this is glory! This is joy! He is risen... Jesus is risen indeed!

A joyful Easter to you each!