Perfect weekend... and mostly pictures

What a weekend!  In the history of all weekends, this one was truly perfect.  I took Friday off, and is it just me, or does one extra day in a weekend make it feel so much longer?  This should be the standard.

Being Easter weekend, I already knew it would be packed with special activities and it was truly the first Easter that Jake could somewhat participate in the traditions.  So what did we do?  Well... we dyed eggs of course, but Jake mostly dyed himself.  We took a trip to Toys 'R Us and bought Jake a new train table, which was a belated birthday-slash-Easter gift.  Let me tell you, it has already been worth every penny.  Josh and I had a date-night-in and watched "We Bought a Zoo," which is a great flick if you haven't seen it.  Plus, it did such a great job of paralleling all of the feelings and emotions we went through during the church-planting process.  We attended a good friend's baby's naming ceremony, which is a Jewish custom, and felt privileged to be a part of that special day.  I had a hair appointment and went dark again, and although I've been wondering if it's too dark ever since, a couple hours alone in a chair with a magazine was heavenly.  And then yesterday we had a tremendously joyful Easter service at TurningPoint (He is risen!) and saw lots of new faces.  I cannot explain what it feels like to see your husband's dream in a tangible, real way and I cannot put into words how proud I am of all that he's done to see this thing come alive.  We had about thirty people turn their lives over to God yesterday, so I know there was some celebrating going on in heaven!  Later that afternoon we had lots of family and friends over for an egg hunt and really good eats.   Plus, the kiddos looked so cute dressed in their Easter outfits, although Jake ran around most of the day shirtless due to the copious amounts of watermelon he dripped down the front of himself consumed.  Aside from Easter, it really did not entail much out of the ordinary, but the kids were easy, Josh and I had some quality time together as a couple, we hung out with family, and celebrated what it means to be a Christian.  Sometimes is really is that simple.

And for those of you Pinterest addicts, check out the fabulous treats that one of our moms made for our kids' ministry... I had seen resurrection cookies and rolls before, but never the tomb!  Just awesome:

I wish I had a better picture, but I'm sure you get the idea.  Which brings me to this...

The tomb is empty.  Victory is ours.  God sent His one and only son to be beaten until He was unrecognizable, killed in the worst form of corporal punishment this world has ever seen, and mocked by many.  Why?  For me.  For you.  For all of us undeserving, average, everyday folks.  He took the punishment for our sinful ways so that we'll never have to.  I have my own son and can guarantee that there is no way I'd be willing to make the same sacrifice if given the choice... which makes me even more in awe and grateful to God.  Now I choose to live for Him, hoping that His son can be seen through my words and actions.

I hope that you found the peace and joy that Easter brings.  I hope that you know the story, and if you don't that you'll ask someone to share it with you.  But most of all, I hope that you know that you are loved by Him, no matter where you've been, what you've done, or what struggles you have in your life right now.  He loves you right where you're at... and that alone is worth celebrating.

Happy belated-Easter, everyone!  I hope this turns out to be a terrific week!