Easter 2013 [Part 1]

Today was Easter -- a day both celebrated and dreaded by those in ministry. (I hate to even say that because it's so wrong, but Easter is like the Super Bowl of Sunday mornings, and there is much work and anticipation leading up to it. But that is for another post entirely.) I suppose our Easters are a little different from the Easters I grew up with (laid back mornings with the family, egg hunts, Bible stories, "He Is Risen" blaring as we got ready for church), but I want to remember them all the same -- craziness and all.

The morning started at 5:15, when Aaron got up and headed out the door to finish prepping things. I managed to fall asleep for another hour and a half or so before finally climbing out of bed. When I got up, the kids were already up. They were watching a movie, and jumped up as I came down the stairs to thank me for their Easter baskets. We don't do the bunny thing, but just a few small treats and a Jesus-centered gift of some kind--this year it was a journal for Carson and a Jesus Calling devotional book for Abby. They were both thrilled. Then it was time for everyone to get dressed, which went relatively well--though I did have to fight with Carson to wear a shirt with buttons and with Abby to let me braid her hair. It took us a while to get out the door, but we did. And then Carson says from the back seat, "Mom, you didn't feed us breakfast." Oh. Yeah. So we did a swing by at Starbucks for bagels and hot chocolate and such. (I have to admit feeling terrible, but they thought I was super mom, so I guess that worked out.) Finally we arrived at church, and although it was crazy for a bit getting settled and making sure everything was done, after the first few songs, I actually made it into the first service! 

It was a beautiful service. God really moved and spoke to me through worship and through the words of our awesome pastor. I love that guy! *wink wink* It's so cool to see God moving and speaking. This was our first Sunday with two services, and in the second service, I taught in the preschool class. It was fun hanging out with these little guys and seeing Easter from their perspective. I also got to spend a little time with a new friend and get to know her better (which is a cool thing about serving alongside of others!)

After service, the four of us hopped in the car and headed home. On the way home, I realized... we don't have anything to eat for lunch at home. I felt like a terrible woman. When I was a kid, my mom always cooked a warm lunch after church on Sundays. I couldn't even pull that off on Easter--the Sunday of all Sundays! So... we drove to Wok Inn for Chinese food, and I felt a little bit like the family on The Christmas Story. Again, my family didn't really seem to mind. We actually all loved it. 

On the way home, we just talked. Abby started talking about how she'd read today's devotional 3 or 4 times and told us what she had learned and what she thought God was saying, and what that means for us. I sat there, pretty amazed at the words that were coming out of my little girl's mouth, and I thought it was pretty incredible how God is teaching and growing her every day into such a wonderful young lady.

After a few minutes of sitting on the couch and watching Duck Dynasty, it was time to head out the door again. We headed over to Ammie and Poppy's house to celebrate Easter (Good vs. Evil) and Opening Day (Astros vs. Rangers). Well, we know that Jesus sealed our victory (Hallelujah!), and I'm happy to report that today the Astros won too. Cheers all around! Dinner was baseball themed (hot dogs, nachos, Cracker Jacks, etc.), the kids Easter Egg hunted, and good conversation was had out on the deck. We even managed to get a picture of the cousins together. Turns out if you promise that they can break cascarones over each others heads, it's no problem to get them to look at the camera and smile!

I'm so very thankful for this day and all that it means. We are blessed beyond measure to be children of the risen Savior!