2014: Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With little tokens of friendship all wrapped in pink and red, I love the celebration of hearts on Valentine’s Day.

Realizing that many look at Valentine’s Day as another opportunity for stores to sell trinkets, candy, and expensive cards, I choose to invest in those I love.

Miss 6 awoke with excitement in her eyes as she anticipated the day’s activities.

From special printable packs full of games and coloring to getting little notes from her classmates and friends, Miss 6 is continuing her celebration with joy and laughter.

May you find the excitement found in a 6-year-old child to embrace and love on those family and friends, whom you hold dear.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

2014: Happy 1st Day of Spring!

March 20, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

It’s here – whether it feels like spring or not.

The time to replace hats, scarves, and gloves with umbrellas, raincoats, and rubber boots has arrived.

With spring maintenance underway, we are getting our house pressure washed and the heating and cooling systems inspected.

We are welcoming the spring season with the scent of lemon wafting through our home since cleaning is on the back burner while I have maintenance personnel traipsing through our home.

In celebration of this first day of spring, we will head to our local Rita’s for a FREE Italian ice this afternoon and then watch our brackets as March Madness starts today.

Though we are not focusing on the upcoming allergies, pollen, and spring colds, we are watching for birds, flowers, and baby animals.

The sun is peeking out of the rain clouds and chasing away the cold. Enjoy today as we say goodbye to winter and welcome spring with open arms.

Happy 1^st Day of Spring!

Question: How are you celebrating today?

2014: Happy Palm Sunday!

April 13, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My children planned to sing in this morning’s church service with their choir.

Though my daughter will still sing, my son had a rough night. With allergy season kicking in full force, he stayed home to rest.

Though I am thankful that Paul is videotaping the children’s choir this morning, I really miss celebrating Palm Sunday with my church family. Hopefully, all will be well this week because next Sunday is Easter!

In celebration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, those who were in attendance put down clothes and palm branches to make a path for Christ’s donkey ride. This entrance was just the beginning of Christ’s week as he fulfilled His Father’s will and perfect plan.

With multiple activities and celebrations planned for this week leading up to Easter, I wish you a blessed Palm Sunday. Tabitha over on Meet Penny has posted instructions for three Palm Sunday crafts. I love the third one – creating palm branches with your child’s handprints.

Basking in the blessing of God’s gift to us, our family is off to a great week of celebration, remembrance, and rejoicing.

Happy Palm Sunday!

2014: Reflections on Good Friday

April 18, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With our Easter celebration underway, we continue to pause and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

As we continue to tell the Easter story through the use of our Resurrection Eggs, we focus today on the death Christ endured for us.

The verses and symbols of his robe and crown of thorns, the cross, the nails, and the sponge and spear tell of the unimaginable pain Christ suffered for me and you.

Though this day seems dark and full of pain, the story is not finished for resurrection day is coming.

Without Good Friday, there would be no Easter. But because Christ loves us, He died and rose again which makes Sunday so glorious!

A Garden in the Night

Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46

A garden in the night,
A soul in tortured prayer;
Engulfed in sorrow all alone,
Our Savior struggles there.

He knows His hour has come
To bear the price of love.
He reaches out, His spirit drowned
In agony and blood.

“My Father, let it pass,
This darkness now begun.
But here I am, Your sacrifice,
So let Your will be done.”

Lord, help us watch and pray,
Your burden gladly bear
That we may live and die like You,
Our lives a holy prayer.

Words by Ken Bible
© 2005 by LNWhymns.com. CCLI Song #4479756.

2014: Happy Easter!

April 20, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My favorite day of the year has arrived as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Rejoice, for He is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-6a

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”

Power of the Cross

Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood

This, the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh, to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
Finished the vict’ry cry

Oh, to see my name written in the wounds
For through Your suffering I am free
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love

This, the power of the cross
Son of God, slain for us
What a love, what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Happy Easter!

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