Easter Pictures &…I Stumble A Lot

April 5, 2013 by Courtney 13 Comments

We hope you had a wonderful Easter remembering and celebrating our Risen Savior. Here’s a few pictures from our day. In the pictures below, Alexis had made a surprise video for her brother {expressing her love} and we were playing it for him on the television. Then we made our traditional Resurrection Rolls for breakfast.

In the directions for the Resurrection Rolls, I mention that it’s very important that you get the seams closed…here’s what happens if you don’t! lol! #FAIL But they tasted good!

easter morning fail

Then off to church we went.

After church we went to my parent’s house for Easter Dinner. Below are my grandmother, my parents, my sisters and their families.

Easter collage 1

We always take a “sisters” picture on Easter together…there was a lot of laughter trying to get this picture this year…

sisters Collage

Got it!

sisters 4

I’m over at The Better Mom today. The topic –>> I Stumble A Lot…with my words.

I am a woman of many words lol! and Proverbs 10:19 says “When words are many, sin is not absent. But he who holds his tongue is wise.”

I long to be a woman who is filled with life giving words. Who is filled with grace and mercy. But the reality is – I stumble in many ways (James 3:2). And when I stumble, it brings pain to others and to my own soul. I long to be free of this problem in my life – to be so full of wisdom and self-control that I never ever stumble again!

But let me be honest, I stumble! I stumble all of the time in my marriage, in my parenting, and sadly with my friendships!

To read the rest of this article – visit me over at The Better Mom today!

Walk with the King,

Filed Under: Easter

The Precious Blood of Jesus

March 28, 2013 by Courtney 10 Comments

Today we remember. (Taken from Matthew 27)

We remember…

the betrayal for 30 pieces of silver

the flogging

the crown of thorns

the purple robe

the sign “Hail, King of the Jews!”

the strike on Jesus’ face

the crowd shouting “Crucify Him!”

the long walk to Golgotha carrying the cross

the nails in his hands

the nails in his feet

DARKNESS

the words “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

the temple curtain torn in two from top to bottom

the earth trembling

the guards exclaiming “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Life is in the blood –the precious blood of Jesus.

{If you cannot see my video click here to view it.}

On the cross, Jesus said “It is Finished.” (John 19:30)

FINISHED – PAID IN FULL. All the bad things you have ever done are paid for in full by the blood of the lamb who gave his life for you on the cross. Do you wonder if you are lovable? Do you wonder if he really can forgive you of your sins? Does your guilt lie to you?

Psalm 103:10-12 answer these very questions: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

It’s in Christ’s mercy that I have found rest in this difficult world. The blog Women Living Well would not exist if it were not for the truth of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I have found rest in Jesus Christ my Savior.

Have you found this rest? If you have placed your faith in Christ and believe that he indeed lived, died and rose again and have repented of your sins – your sins have been cast as far as the east is from the west. But, If you have not done this, I John 5:12 says you do not have eternal life. If you have never accepted the free gift that God has offered you of eternal life which only comes through faith in his Son Jesus – I beg you – do it today!

Have a fabulous weekend with your family and Happy Easter!

He is Risen!

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Easter, Jesus

3 Meaningful Easter Activities for Kids

March 21, 2013 by Courtney 18 Comments

Our Easter Traditions include:

Easter Breakfast – Resurrection Rolls

Every year we make these Resurrection Rolls on Easter Morning for Breakfast – they are quick, easy and taste great!

Here’s my kids making them 4 years ago at our old house.

And here they are making them 3 years ago!

And here they are last year – just one week prior, Alexis had knocked out her two front teeth in a wagon accident

So sad.

These are so fun because when the rolls are done baking – they are empty inside…

JUST like Jesus’ tomb!

You need just 5 ingredients: crescent rolls, marshmallows, sugar, cinnamon and butter

Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll.

This represents the tomb.

Each child takes one marshmallow.

This represents the body of Christ.

Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.

Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.

Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (This is a REALLY important step! Otherwise the marshmallow will “ooze” out of the seams)

Bake according to package directions.

Cool.

Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!!

Celebrate God’s love!

Another tradition is:

Easter Story Cookies

A few years ago my sister gave me this recipe. This is a great way to share the truth of God’s word in an interesting and meaningful way with your children and grandchildren!

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important to do before you start the mixing)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Romans soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the Oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.

Easter is about so much more than bunnies and chocolate eggs. Make a memory with your children as you teach them about the amazing sacrifice of our Savior.

And Finally:

Resurrection Eggs

One of my favorite activities to do with the children leading up to Easter are Resurrection Eggs which can be purchased at your local Christian bookstore, amazon.com and last year I saw them at Walmart!

The store bought Resurrection Eggs come with a booklet and a story for each egg BUT these can also be homemade! A few years ago some women in our church made homemade sets of these eggs and gave them out to all the children in Sunday School. Wasn’t that lovely of them!!! You could do this too! Here’s what you need:

.
Supplies:

1 dozen plastic Easter eggs

an egg carton

the items listed below

Directions: Fill each egg with the item listed (or a picture of the item) and a print-out of the corresponding scripture(number the eggs). Place the eggs in the decorated egg carton. Open and experience the eggs together with your children.

1. (Bread – crouton) Matthew 26:26 While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. “Take and eat it,” He said, “This is My body.”

2. (Coins) Matthew 26: 14-15 Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.

3. (Purple cloth, representing a purple robe) Mark 15:17 They put a purple robe on Jesus. . .

4. (Thorns or toothpick)Matthew 27:29 Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. “Long live the King, of the Jews!” they said.

5. (Scourge-a small piece of rope or thick string)Mark 15:15 Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be crucified.

6. (Cross) John 19: 17-18a He went out, carrying His cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull,” as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called “Galgotha.”) There they crucified Him.

7. (Nails) John 20:25b Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in His hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His side, I will not believe.”

8. (Sign)Luke 23:38 Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

9. (Sponge) Matthew 27:48 One of them ran up at once, took a sponge. He filled it with vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

10. (Spear)John 19:34 One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus’ side, and at once blood and water poured out.

11. (Rock)Matthew 27:59-60 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

12. (Empty)Matthew 28:6 He is not here He has risen just as He said.

My favorite part of these eggs is watching the kids as they listen and take it into their hearts. This is a great tool for sharing the gospel with unsaved children or for leading your own child to the Lord.

**Chime In: Do you have a fun Easter tradition? Feel free to share your ideas in the comment section too!

Walk with the King,

Filed Under: Easter

Our Family Easter Pics & WLWW Link-Up Party!

April 10, 2012 by Courtney 11 Comments

: Alexis still has a skid mark down her face from her wagon accident

With the start of the new series, I didn’t get a chance to post pictures from Easter. For those who read about me oversleeping last year, the good news is my alarm did go off this year! Lol! We had a little easter egg hunt and made resurrection rolls before heading off to church!

After church we went to my parents house for the rest of the day! My mom always has beautiful baskets for the kids.

Cousins

A Family That Prays Together Stays Together

Huge Ham!

My Mom and Sisters - clearly I did not get the memo that said to wear black and purple lol!

The Man I love, respect, adore and would do anything for!

He is Risen!!!

Walk with the King,

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