Easter 2012

We had a great day celebrating all Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection!!  So thankful that He conquered the grave and has given us a new HOPE in Him!

This was our first year to really get to start Easter traditions as a family!  Last year I was in the hospital after just having Carter and before that Cade was really too young.  We made a playdough mountain on Thursday and used it to tell the story of the crucifixion on Friday.  I found this idea out of Noel Piper's book "Treasuring God in Our Traditions."  Great read. 

After we put Jesus in the tomb on Friday night, complete with Obi Wan as the guard, we discussed how sad Jesus' friends were but that God had a special surprise coming.

When Cade woke up this morning the tomb was empty!  Jesus is alive!  We broke out into Kristian Stanfill's song "My God's not dead, He's surely alive!"

For breakfast we made Resurrection Rolls.  Let me just say they were delicious!!!  Definitely a treat to make every year or any day you need an Easter reminder:)

Many marshmallows were consumed in the process

After a fun morning of celebrating we continued on our day of celebration with yummy lunch and new friends.  Then tonight we were able to worship alongside the Body of Christ and proclaim that "Christ has died and Christ has risen and Christ WILL COME AGAIN!"  Thank you Jesus!!

Thanks for the cooperation guys:)

Disclaimer:  In reality this Easter tradition making, was rough for me.  I struggled.  How do you balance the Easter baskets, egg hunts, bunnies, candy with the real meaning of Easter?  Honestly I wanted to throw every bunny, egg, and basket out the window today.  Today we celebrate something HUGE!  Our Savior died in our place.  He was perfect and we were guilty ones. This gift of death and life is amazing...better that ANYTHING else in this world.  How did bunnies, eggs, baskets of gifts and all the other hoopla get mixed in this day?  This is something I'm still trying to reconcile in my heart.

Even last night before bed I was thinking of how inadequate I am to teach this to my children.  What if I do it wrong?  However, the Lord was so sweet in giving me reminders today.  Cade woke up exclaiming "Jesus is alive!"  "It's a special day, Mommy!"  Then tonight as we sang Jesus Paid it All, 

 "Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone."

I realized that of course I'm inadequate and I can't save my children.  Only Jesus can change hearts and only through His power comes salvation.  So freeing...