Easter 2011

This Easter, we started a new family tradition.  A Passover Seder meal.  After finding this free eBook at currclick, A Passover Celebration for Christian Families, I was more than excited to do one for our family.  The Biblical feasts have always fascinated me ever since a Beth Moore Bible study - where I had finally realized why Passover and Easter are the same weekend - Jesus had eaten the Passover meal with his disciples (The Last Supper) and then became our sacrificial lamb. 

God wanted the Israelites to celebrate the Feast of Passover as a way to remember that He led them out of slavery in Egypt. Passover wasn't the only feast, God had many feasts He wanted the Israelites to partake in as a way to remember what He had done for them.  And then in the New Testament, Jesus came and fulfilled many of the feasts.  (Dr. Richard Booker's book, Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts is an awesome read on the feasts and how Jesus fulfilled them).

Jesus fulfilled the Feast of Passover with His crucifixion.  

As we held our Passover meal, it gave us time to think about Jesus' sacrifice for us.  What I loved about this eBook, was that it was geared for families with younger children and gave some substitutions.  So while it wasn't exactly formal and exact, it was just what our family needed to enter into Easter weekend, with remembrance.

Our Seder plate. 

Oops, forgot the "matzah" in the above picture.

The unleavened bread (or flour tortilla) represents the bread the Israelites would have made in a hurry - Jesus is the bread of life.

The bitter herbs (radish) remind us of the pain and bitterness of slavery.  It also reminds us of the bitterness of sin.

Charoset is a mixture of fruit, nuts and honey that reminds us of the mortar the slaves would have used to assemble Pharoah's bricks.  It's sweet, so it reminds us of the sweetness of the hope of redemption through Jesus.

The parsley reminds us of new things growing - a new beginning.  It is dipped in salt water to remind us of the salty tears the Israelites would have shed while in bondage and the unhappy consequences of sin.

The roasted egg represents the Passover sacrifice.  As it was dipped in salt water, we thought about the miracle of the resurrection came through the tears of our Savior.

We continued with our meal and instead of serving lamb, we had steaks.  I did make potato latkes to try to have something authentic.

We both felt our children had really done a great job sitting, listening and being willing to try to some new flavors.  They were so pleasant the rest of the night and played together so well.  At one point, they asked me to get the camera because they were going to do "something silly," in their words!

On Saturday night, we made Resurrection Rolls for the first time.  Not only were they easy to make, they were very yummy! (Thanks JM)  A marshmallow is dipped in melted butter, cinnamon/sugar and then rolled up in a crescent dough triangle.  The marshmallow is Jesus, next the oil and spices they would have covered his body in and then he was wrapped in linen cloth.  After we baked them, they were empty inside!  (note: strawberry marshmallows make for interesting rolls!)

Throw in 2 Easter Egg hunts and it was a wonderful weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

(The nursery thought it wouldn't bloom this spring, having just been planted in early winter.  We've had dreary weather - more rainy days than not - and its colorful blooms are a welcome sight.  Come soon, spring!)

Soccer - Go Maroon!

That's Q, in the middle of the maroon players, getting to the ball.

Las Vegas, NV - beyond the truck show ;)

So, I think the ladies spent less than 5 hours at the show.  We headed out to take in the sights - and to shop!  Or maybe I shopped and they (T's mom and T's brother's wife) followed! ;-)

Dinner at The Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere - at the top for a picture.

(JM and HJ, notice my Millie bag?)

Where we stayed.  Often seen as TI - in moments of sleep and hunger deprivation (the 3 hour time difference was a killer), I'd refer to our hotel as Thousand Island.  :)

Checking out the other hotels - The Mirage

Paris Las Vegas - we ate at Mon Ami Gabi (at the recommendation of our neighbors) and loved it - we even had seats at the front to watch the fountains go at The Bellagio across the street.

Inside The Wynn

The Venetian

 
We didn't go inside, but we were able to see a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor.

Behind me, while taking the above shot, was this:

Indiana Jones, himself! ;)  The only thing better would have been Han Solo standing next to him!

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Truck Show - CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the international gathering place in 2011 for the construction industries. Held every three years, the exposition showcases the latest equipment, products, services and technologies.

We have arrived! ;-D

Mack, Peterbilt, International, Kenworth - trucks are a big deal in this house, I just know a few! ;)

And new for 2011, CAT.  I did mention a truck show, right?  And this is my second one!

San Diego, CA

An unexpected stop in our itinerary.  After some flight changes we ended up flying from Denver, CO to San Diego, CA en route to our final destination (Nevada).

My husband was a little stressed and annoyed, but I kept it in perspective by telling him I was happy with the slight detour!  Why?  Because I had never been to California before.

Now, to some, 30 minutes inside the San Diego airport may not be the same as spending time in California, but I don't care!

Ouray & Silverton, Colorado

Our final day in Colorado (which actually wasn't due to flight cancellations...but that is a whole other story!) found us doing a little sightseeing with T's parents.

Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.  I thought this sounded like fun - however, they neglected to let me in on a little secret.  The little (little as in narrow, not little as in short) stretch of road that leads from one town to the next.  This little stretch is known as The Million Dollar Highway.  Let's just say I wasn't taking in many of the sights along the road!

No guardrail...nothing!

Ouray is a beautiful town nestled between the mountain peaks.  And, there was a great little bistro we stopped at to eat a much-deserved lunch (it was after crossing the "highway" to Silverton and then coming back again!)  And yes, I'm now officially like my father - remembering vacations by the food I've eaten! :)  And I'm okay with that!

While in Silverton, we found this quaint little bed & breakfast type place, Almost Heaven. 

Yeah, almost! ;-D

Telluride, Colorado

The gorgeous San Juan mountains.

Yes, this post is labeled, "Truck show."  We took a detour on the way.

My favorite thing about walking the streets of downtown Telluride was 1) taking the gondola to get there and 2) seeing the white mountains as the backdrop to every building.  Beautiful!

Little hands - big hearts

After I showed the kids the countdown streamer I made for them, they each busied themselves.  I made theirs wanting them to have something visual to countdown until we'd see each other again.  Our daughter presented us with this one, to take along on our trip.  Our oldest son's is hanging from the railing and I think the youngest son took his to bed with him! 

You can be sure this precious cargo will be in our suitcase! 

Wordless Wednesday: The Countdown

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Having a bit of a stressful week, I fell into my hubby's embrace with tears in my eyes.

Our younger two children noticed and came to join in on the hug, wrapping their arms around our legs.

We stayed like that for a few moments until our youngest ended the tender moment by asking, "How long are we going to hug like this?"

Visit Mary for more Tiny Talkers.

Happy Birthday Ginger! :) (again)

A big hug from us to you!!

Originally posted 3-11-10

Take it to the curb.

I'm currently reading Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts.  It is encouraging me to look for the beauty around me.  God is right here.  Beauty is found right here.

Take, for example, the empty trash can at the end of my driveway. 

Am I drawn to it because I need to go and get it, or can I see it as beautiful?  A gift from God? 

Each week, we put our trash by the curb.  All I need to do is collect the trash the night before and roll the trash can to the end of my driveway.  The next day the trash truck comes and removes it.  It is empty.

Our family adds to that trashcan. Every. Single. Day. With lots of trash. 

And I sin.  Every. Single. Day.  Filling my own metaphorical trashcan.

And then, the trash can is empty.  In prayer, I am made empty of my sin. 

All I have to do is gather it up and be willing to take it to the curb.  To let go.  And He takes my trash.

**God placed this word picture on my heart Tuesday.  On Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we started reading the book Amon's Adventure: A Family Story for Easter (written by the same author that wrote Jotham's Journey, the book we read for Advent).

After the story, there is a short devotional.  I knew God wanted me to become more aware of taking out the trash when I read this in Wednesday's devotional, "Lent is a time to refocus our lives on God, to throw out the trash of our own sin, and prepare to let the power of the resurrection wash across us once again."

God is so good!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Daddy!

(this setup never gets old!) 

Marshmallows with a side of cocoa! ;)