Luke 22:45.

I am going to be honest.

I took some time a few days ago to write about my thoughts regarding Christ's death and suffering for our sake... specifically I wrote about Easter and how we as society have become very desensitized to what Jesus went through for us. I wrote that we are no longer moved by His sacrifice or by His miraculous Resurrection.

I wrote those things because God was pulling at my heart.

That morning I was up early, praying and reading... or at least making an attempt to do those things. God was asking me to spend time with Him, to meditate on His Word and on His Sacrifice... and I found myself falling asleep.

I realized, with heavy guilt and deep conviction, that I had become insensitive and far removed from the story I was reading. Sad.

I felt as though I was behaving like the disciples... completely unaware of what was about to happen to Jesus and unwilling to completely sacrifice some time for Him...

"Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. Then He came the third time and said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners...'" (Mark 14:37-41)

I am aware that my heart needs to change and I have been praying that God will make my heart like His.

With that said, my previous post was more about God working on my heart... there is nothing wrong with having Easter fun (I mean we should have fun... it's a celebration!) as long as the focus is where it should be, on Christ... His death, burial, and His Resurrection.

So, here are a couple things we did this year to celebrate Easter...

Our Easter traditions: (as of this year - ha)
• Aaron and I read/told Drew the Easter story all week long

• Aletheia Jr.'s amazing Bible teaching for little ones beginning weeks ago. He learned about all the events leading up to Jesus' death and of course His Resurrection. (Drew came bouncing in after the service last week telling everyone 'Jesus is ALlIIIIVE.' Adorable. And so true.)

• Easter morning: Reading the Easter story. Asking Drew to tell us the story. ('Jesus not in the coom anymore mom.' Yes, he said 'coom' not tomb... I know, adorable again.) We let him have his little Easter presents and explained that we are celebrating Jesus being alive (and for that we give presents?! haha.)

• We dyed Easter eggs (of course.) Just another way to celebrate?

• We spent the majority of the day at Aletheia where we saw our largest attendance yet (about 100 people, the service was held outside on campus... so I am sure that more than those sitting in our chairs heard the message) and also where 6 people made decisions to become connected with God. Amazing.

I would love to hear from you. How did you celebrate Easter this year? What are your thoughts on all of this? Family traditions?
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Fun idea for next year: Easter Story Cookies (scroll to down.) I love that it incorporates the Easter story as you are making these goodies.

Here is a sneak peek from our Easter weekend. (I will post more tomorrow! For now, this will have to do. :))

Is that not the cutest thing ever?!


'I'm taking your picture mom.' Getting ready to dye eggs.


Opening his Easter 'basket' from Gramma Lila (aka Grandma Linda) and Papa Greg.