Easter 2013

Easter is the best holiday there is, no doubt!  This year on Easter Sunday I improvised a lesson for the girls that was simple but so life altering for sweet Lola Mei, who is 4 and a half.  As we talked about what Jesus did for us and his resurrection the light bulb came on for her.  She has asked and commented on the fact that Jesus is alive and can never die again over and over for the past 48 hours.  I love her interest in the Lord.  She was very upset not to be able to take the Lord's supper Sunday.  She asked when she could and we explained that she could once she was baptized.  She has professed her faith in Jesus for some time now, but her being so young has given us reservation in allowing her to be baptized.  We'll see that this new information does with her.  We may not be able to keep her dry for long.  She will just have Gracie baptize her in the tub if we don't do it.

Easter was full of blessings this year.  Over 300 people came to our Easter egg hunt and although it started out a little out of control it ended well.  You know the old saying " a few bad apples....".  Well a few kids really got things stirred up at our egg hunt by sneaking into the hiding area and gathering a few eggs.  Once the masses saw them others came in too thinking it was time.  After a few minutes it was impossible to keep them at bay.  They were too excited.  We were concerned mainly because none of them had heard instructions for our activities afterward, but they all stuck around to see what else was in store.  And once we finally got it going it went well.  Children and their parents gathered around to hear the greatest story ever told.  They made bracelets to remember the gift we were given and got an illustration with straws and paint to make clear the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  49 professed faith.  40 came to our house the next day.  I love what one of our friends who was leading a group shared with us later.  She had a large group of about 20 people.  The parents were telling their kids to listen, pay attention and try to understand.  AMAZING!

We are so humbled when Dad moves in our presence.  We didn't do much more than gather the sheep and ask some fellow workers to give them some hay... and our Father changed lives.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to spirit.  How grateful we are that the Spirit has given us new life!  Thank you Jesus for dying on  the cross.  And praise God for raising Him from the dead.

Yes, Lola, it is cool that Jesus will never die again.

He lives!