happy Easter...

it was a wonderful day today... it was a long day, but it was a wonderful one...
we made it to church...heard a fabulous message...gosh, our pastor is a talented and gifted speaker... seriously, i can't wait to hear what he's going to preach about each Sunday...

today, i was moved by the thought of me giving up one of my children, willingly, knowing she would die a terrible, terrible death so that others could enjoy a life everlasting... i can't even fathom that concept...me handing over Katherine or Hannah, knowing she would die... wow.... there's no way...

i feel like i need to say how great it is to be part of a church again... we strayed away for awhile...and not because we were living life on the wild side or anything... we couldn't ever find what we needed... great preaching, great music, no fellowship with people...great fellowship, lacking preaching, lacking music...people who made us feel uncomfortable... and it's so nice to be with people who are so nice and focused on the right things...
anyway... :)

we made it to church...again, when people were singing already... and we were up without a problem, but as most of you know, life with two little kids makes prompt attendance sometimes a bit challenging...

but Katherine was sooooo excited to wear her "pretty dress" and adorable little shoes... :) gosh, she looked so cute in her pink floral dress... and sweet little Hannah wore a little mint green dress with a smocked front... it was my dress as a baby, and when i put it on her this morning, i had a flashback of dressing my baby dolls in it... it was one of those full circle moments when i realized how "right" things are right now... :) we took pictures, and i will load the pictures this week and get them posted...

we had a fabulous dinner with our friends, The Strongs... :) ham, rolls, green bean casserole, pineapple stuffing (heavenly!), mashed potatoes, green jell-o salad, and apple pie... :) our bellies were FULL but our hearts were more full, i think...

on the way home from church today, i heard this song that i had never heard before... i worked hard to remember the artist's name so that i could look it up... it was just one of those songs that hit me, ya know... i know the Easter story about Jesus' tomb being empty... but i've been reminded at what a terrible death Jesus suffered...and his courage and faith as he hung there being spit upon, insults floating in the air, onlookers unmoved by the pure act of crucifixion... how gracious and amazing He was and still is...

i hope the words speak to you as they did me... Happy Easter <3