Easter Weekend

On Good Friday, I met someone who came from a land far away from here who spoke differently, not just with an accent, but with authority and conviction. I wasn't sure I wanted to stick around very long because she said things that were hard to hear, and she told it to me straight - without any sugar coating at all. But by the end of our conversation, I realized that she had imparted truths to me that would benefit me greatly, and I wanted her as a friend. That's when I learned that her first name is "Gospel", which literally means "to bring or announce GOOD NEWS." 

The timing of our meeting falling on Easter weekend is significant to me. Hearing the truth that we are all sinners deserving of death is hard to hear. Reading about what our sins did to Jesus on the cross is hard, and there is no way to sugar coat something so awful. It was gruesome agony, but He bore all the penalty for our crimes against God in our place out of love. But the grave could not hold the Almighty, and He rose again, just as He and all the prophets before Him had said. Now we too shall be raised with Him, as God's children and Christ's bride! We only need to believe and let HIM lead our lives as Lord. Now that is some seriously good news right there, and His gospel has completely changed our lives forever. May we be faithful to spend our lives bringing and announcing the good news to all the world. Gospel knows Jesus as Lord and Savior. Do you?

We drove to my hometown for Easter. 

We arrived at my parents' church too late to check the kids' into the kids' church ministry, but I wanted them to worship with us anyway.  After listening to dozens (possibly hundreds) of sermons delivered by my childhood pastor (who is still at my parents' church after all those years) on CD with me in the van (thanks for those, Mom), our son was excited to get to hear him in person that day.   He even listened attentively throughout the sermon. I would say it's an Easter miracle, but if you know Rev. Bob, that should come as no surprise.

 

Nana invited our extended family and very close friends

 (my brothers' in-laws) who are like family, too.

She and Pops prepared a delicious steak dinner for all of us. Our daughter made apple cobbler for dessert, but others brought lots of delicious desserts, too.

 Our kids always enjoy time with their cousins. 

In this picture, Eli was showing the kids funny animal gifs.

Our tiny point guard (aka Goldilocks...or more recently Browning Locks) was excited to discover that she has officially outgrown each and every Baby Bear's chair at Grandmother's house.

 Each grandchild got an Easter basket per tradition.

What a wonderful Resurrection Day it was!