discovering joy in the journey
Joy to the Heart
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
What a small, but powerful reminder that we will carry with us everywhere we go today… Christ died for our sins! He died for me. He loved me and took my place – suffering the punishment that I deserved.
The original idea was found on The Celebrated Family blog.
Some (new to us) ideas from online that we tried this week…
Colorful Light Ray Crosses from Housing a Forest
This was a great craft that our four oldest children, ages 4-10, all delighted in completing!
and Ukrainian Easter Egg Art from Alpha Mom
Our eggs were not nearly as bright and colorful as the original ones in the link above, but the kids enjoyed seeing what would happen with each additional layer of white crayon and paint.
Some ideas the kids came up with on their own…
An Easter Scene Peek-a-Box
Our son gathered materials and proceeded to create a scene from the Bible –a cross, empty tomb, and linen cloth – accompanied on the outside with a relevant verse of Scripture from Matthew 28:6!
He is not here. He has risen, just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
and Telling the Easter story through Legos!
The Triumphal Entry… Mark 11:1-11
(Can you see the palm branches?) 
The Last Supper / Passover Meal… Mark 14:12-26
(Jesus and his 12 disciples, complete with the bread and the cup…) 
Jesus Praying in the Garden… Mark 14:32-41
(Yes, there are the sleeping apostles as well.) 
Jesus Being Arrested and the Disciples Fleeing… Mark 14:43-50
(The kids included a couple of disciples running away and one cutting the ear of a soldier – well, ahem, a hand in this Lego rendition…) 
The Three Crosses… Mark 15:25-26
(complete with the sign stating ‘King of the Jews’) 
The Empty Tomb… Matthew 28:1-10
(Note an angel atop the stone that was rolled away and the fallen guards.) 
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures… (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
May you enjoy your Easter weekend, celebrating our risen Savior!
In December, as Christmas day draws nearer, there is an anticipation.
Each December, we enjoy our activity countdown to Christmas- sometimes on a countdown chain, sometimes tucked inside our advent nativity calendar.
We look forward to crafts…
an annual family game…
singing carols…
completing our nightly star chart… 
and making yummy Christmas treats!
Is our family simply looking forward to the gifts, the special holiday treats, sights of Christmas lights strung from the housetops and on trees, a time off from regular school work, enjoyable activities and crafts as a family, a chance to be with family and friends?
Those are all good things. And so, from the outside one might say, ‘Yes. They are just making memories!’ We do pray that these young minds and hearts are developing precious memories to carry with them as they age, but also SO MUCH MORE. We desire for there to be depth to our childrens’ memories – looking past the actual crafts with the shimmering glitter and splattered paint, through the yummy Christmas treat experiments, around the daily countdown, over the gifts that begin to appear beneath the tree ….. and straight to the cross.
For, in the midst of all the activity, we try to focus on the ‘why’ of the season.
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Why is there so much fuss over the coming of one certain day each year?
Because in the midst of a dark world, God chose to send His Son to bring us Light
– to BE the Light.
While we were darkened and trapped by our rebellion and sins,
God sent His One and Only Son into the world to redeem us
– to save us from our sins.
No, the Bible doesn’t tell us that Jesus was born on December 25. But, we take this time to reflect on the humble birth of our heavenly King, the LIGHT of the world. He is the GIFT, the PROMISE that everyone in the Jewish world was anticipating, and the HOPE that our hearts and souls desperately need.
The Light for a dark world…
1 John 1:9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
May we set our hearts on Him.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!
From your beautiful 9 year old…
Thank you for giving the best hugs ever!
Thank you for taking me out to lunch.
Thank you for spending time with me.
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for doing morning devotions with me.
Thank you for praying for me.
From your lovely 7 year old…
Thank you for all the things you do!
Thank you for playing with us.
Thank you for giving hugs and kisses.
Thank you for teaching me to ride my bike.
From your handsome 5 year old…
Thank you for being my daddy – because I love you!
Thank you for giving me hugs.
From your energetic 3 year old…
Thank you for being my daddy.
Thank you for playing trains and Super Why with me.
Thank you for reading to me.
From your adorable 1 year old… (Well, what we thought he might say =) )
Thank you for playing trains and ‘cooking’ with me.
Thank you for giving me food.
Thank you for encouraging me to walk.
From your bride…
Thank you for your love and dedication to our family.
Thank you for being an example of grace to the children and for pointing all of us to our Heavenly Father.
We love you!!!!
I snapped this photo as two of our girls were joyfully singing parts of ‘Christ is Risen’ after they retold the Easter story with the felt pieces. Priceless!
portions of ‘Christ is Risen’ by Matt Maher…
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.
Come awake. Come awake. Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead. We are one with Him again.
Come awake. Come awake. Come and rise up from the grave.
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh hell, where is your victory?
Oh church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead. He’s alive! He’s alive!
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Jesus said to her,
“I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26)
Happy Easter!
