HOLY WEEK -- Sunday

I love the week leading up to Easter! In my family growing up, we always called it Holy Week, so that's how I still think of it. As in previous years, we will spend some family time, every day this week, focusing on Jesus' final days on earth and doing some special activities to help remember and celebrate who He is and the price that He paid for our sin.

Today is Palm Sunday. We had an AWESOME morning in HighPoint and the first ever Family Pack. What a privilege to be able to worship and serve together -- Eric, me, Avery, Ella and close to 100 other families, plus dozens of leaders and volunteers. Truly a celebration that honored Jesus as our King!

This afternoon we started our week of family devotions. Ella read from her Bible the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Our activity today was to create a "Praise Tree". Each of us received two leaves and wrote prayers of praise on them. After we prayed them out loud, we fastened them to the tree. We will add more leaves to our tree in another activity later this week.

THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF THE SERVANT

I've been contemplating what verses to memorize this month and was considering a few verses from Isaiah 53. To understand this passage in context, I decided to look back a few verses to the end of Isaiah 52. Wow. I don't think I could find a more appropriate scripture to memorize as I prepare for Easter and the sacrifice that Jesus made for me on the cross. Isaiah 52:13-15 is titled The Suffering and Glory of the Servant. While this title is not divinely inspired (like the rest of the Bible) it perfectly suits the verses that follow.  Here is what they say:

"See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand."

For the past few years I have watched Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ during the week leading up to Easter. I love this film, and I hate watching it. The violence depicted, the raw evil that is shown, the horrifying graphic images -- all make me want to cover my eyes. As the scripture says, "his appearance was so disfigured... his form marred" -- it's hard to see what it might have really been like. And to know that it is my sin that put Him there is overwhelming to me.

As I meditate on this passage, I get so emotional to think about Jesus' pain and suffering to the point where he was "disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness".  I doubt I will ever know what it's like to suffer physically to that extent.

But the reason why I am drawn to this scripture is because it's not just a description of His suffering.  It's also a promise of joy and victory! Because in the end, Jesus will be "raised and lifted up and highly exalted... He will sprinkle [startle] many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of Him... they will see... and they will understand."

I want to contemplate, really meditate on Jesus' suffering and sacrifice for me. And that leads me to greater awe and praise as I rejoice in His promise: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " Romans 14:11

The following video is just a small representation of The Passion of the Christ.  I am going to watch the entire movie again this Easter season.  How about you?  Reflect on how Jesus suffered for you.  And rejoice in the hope that is shown at the end of the movie (although not this video) -- the 3rd day!

 

AQUATIC EGG HUNT

We have been looking forward to this event! I heard about an in-the-water egg hunt at a local aquatic center and signed up about a month ago. Tonight was the big night and Avery & Ella were so excited!

We were greeted by the "Easter bunny's wife" (Avery says that the Easter bunny is a boy, so this must be his wife).


There were eggs floating on the top of the water and some were weighted on the bottom. Eggs were numbered 1-10 and the kids were supposed to find one of each to put into their baskets.

Avery dove to the bottom to find most of her eggs.

Ella stayed near me at all times (at least in the beginning) and chose her eggs from the top of the water.

Voila! Two baskets full of eggs to redeem for fun prizes! We stuck around for an extra hour just to swim. What a treat!

SO MANY BIRTHDAYS...

Sunday afternoon was the date of our annual cousins' birthday party. So many cousins have birthdays within a 3 month period and it is so fun to celebrate them all together! The birthday stars include (from oldest to youngest):

TYLER (age 15)

AVERY (almost-9)

ELLA (age 7)

JUSTIN RILEY (age 5)

AIDAN (front and center, age 3)

CHASE (and Aunt Maria, age 1)

For our full selection of birthday fun photos, check out our Kodak Gallery album.

YOU "ADMIARE" HER

Yesterday (March 20) Eric & I celebrated 11 years of wedded bliss. Okay, well it hasn't always been blissful, but I can honestly say that we love each other more today than we did last year and the year before and the year before... God has been good to us and we are thankful!

We received many wonderful cards from family and friends, as well as exchanging special ones with each other. But our favorite anniversary cards this year came from Avery. They came in special (homemade) envelopes, addressed "To Mommy" and "To Daddy". She gave them both to me early in the day but instructed me that we were to open them together.

We did open them at the same time, but we read Eric's card first. In addition to anniversary greetings, Avery used Daisy & Donald Duck to symbolize me and Eric. On this card, Avery says, "You admiare her" and "You are a perfect pair". Daisy also seems to be reminiscing of a bride and groom on their wedding day :)

My card showed us represented as Pluto and Mickey, "perfect pals". "You go together!!"

It is hard to describe how much these cards mean to us. Not just because they're so cute, but because we are honored and humbled at the way that Avery views us in our marriage. We are not perfect or even always pals. And sometimes it's hard to admire each other when we see each other's faults and shortcomings daily. But God knew that we should "go together" and that, through His power and grace, we could choose to love each other and grow in ways that we couldn't have grown on our own. Marriage is hard. And I am glad that the first decade is behind us. But I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the years to come!

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female'. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:7-9

"But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:20-24

PIANO RECITAL

Today was Avery's spring piano recital. She played "Snagglefritz" by Edwin McLean. Playing with Avery is her teacher (and my good friend), Leah. Enjoy!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Two red heads wearing green -- what could be more Irish?

We enjoyed a special Irish dinner, including corn beef, Irish soda bread, carrots & green milk!

And a special treat for Eric -- real Irish butter. He had a hard time convincing us that it tastes different than regular butter :)

Beyond shamrocks, leprechauns and pots of gold, we remembered the true story of St. Patrick. He was a missionary to Ireland, telling the people there about Jesus. He used the three-leaf clover to represent the trinity -- Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, may God

hold you in the small of His hand.

LETTERBOXING

This past weekend we had beautiful weather. What a joy to see the sun and feel a little bit of warmth (relatively speaking!) after such a gray, cold winter. To celebrate the coming of spring and enjoy a little family time, we decided to try, once again, letterboxing. Our good friend, Gaby, was with us as well, so the five of us set out with our letterboxing supply bag (blank notebooks, stamp pad, stamps & pens).

Eric was our navigator, reading the directions out loud and leading the way.

Each of the girls was able to locate a letterbox along our hike.

ELLA

GABY

AVERY

Of course we had to stop mid-way through our hike for a snack!


The main evidence that it is still winter was the frozen ponds along the trails.


However, there was some green poking through the leaves! (Okay, it's moss, not grass, but we're looking for green!)

There was also a lot of squishy mud!


The end result included: 5 stamps in each of their notebooks, 4 letterboxes found (one of the boxes had 2 stamps), 3 happy kids, 2 tired adults and 1 great day!

ELLA GRACE IS 7!

Ella Grace
March 11, 2002, 11:35 am
6 lbs., 4 oz., 18" long


Ella Grace
March 11, 2009
44.25 lbs., 45.75" tall

Last Wednesday, March 11, we celebrated the precious life of our "baby", Ella Grace. Some phrases that describe Ella are:

• funny (or as Avery would say, "hysterical")
• good sharer
• generous
• clever
• excellent memory
• tough (i.e. resiliant)
• sensitive
• advanced reader
• affectionate & cuddly
• easy-going
• physically agile (a little monkey!)
• creative & artistic

There are so many other ways that God has gifted Ella and we are blessed to be called her parents! For those of you are interested, here is a link to some more of the activities that we did during Ella's birthday week.

Avery Elizabeth (2 years) & Ella Grace in 2002

Avery (almost 9 years) and Ella (7 years) in 2009

A DOG SLEPT OVER!

In addition to (although not associated with) Ella's birthday celebrations this week we were excited to welcome our dear friends, Alan & Penny, for a visit over the weekend. On Friday, as we were waiting for them to arrive, Ella said, "No one is going to believe that for my birthday I get to have a dog sleep over!" She was very much looking forward to also "visiting" with Al & Penny's cute little Chihuahua, Snickers!

Snickers was a big attraction for both Avery & Ella, especially since Mom (that's me!) is allergic to both dogs and cats and therefore we will probably never be able to own one of our own :( Fortunately, Snickers didn't bother my allergies at all and it was a treat to have him around the house.

Of course, the biggest treat of all was visiting with Al & Penny (aka Mr. & Mrs. O.). As they were leaving, Avery said, "It's just like having another Grandma & Grandpa!" That's a big compliment, "Orm" & "Osrm"! We love you and miss you!

ELLA'S BIRTHDAY WEEK 2009

This is Ella's birthday week -- a very special time of year for our soon-to-be-7-year-old. Wow, is it possible that my baby is this big?! Birthday week is a tradition that we have enjoyed for quite a few years. We celebrate birthday week for the girls -- Eric and I just get our regular birthdays :)

Thanks to some major clearance sale shopping this year, I was able to get Ella several treats for her to enjoy during her birthday week. Today she had some creative time with her new Crayola kids' paint.

Her first present (on Thursday) was a children's dictionary. She LOVES it! Avery politely requested that she NOT receive a dictionary for her birthday week. How different can two kids be?!

You will notice in the picture above our fiber optic birthday cake -- a birthday week fixture!

Ella decided to invite just a few friends to help her celebrate her birthday at Tops Cooking School. Yesterday they attended a Littlest Pet Shop Snacks class and they had a ball!

Eating the fruit of their labors!

Following their cooking class, the girls returned to our house for a Littlest Pet Shop frog cake (made by Eric, of course -- another birthday week tradition!).

Ella says that her favorite gift (so far) is an ice skating dress for her American Girl "Mia" doll. This was a present from Avery. Ella was so excited to get "exactly what I wanted!"

Stay tuned for more news from birthday week, including a full album of photos from her party and special activities. Okay, I know not all of you are interested in that much detail, but we have two faithful Grandmas on our reader list :)