Caterpillars to Butterflies...

This is a process we have enjoyed over the past few years. It really never gets old. It's pretty simple too.  We order the caterpillars from Insect Lore.  The cup arrives at your door that includes caterpillars (larvae) and caterpillar food. It's a marvelous transformation to witness and it has so much spiritual significance.

Easter Strings...

Many years ago, we began a tradition of tying a certain colored string to each of the boys doorknobs that they have to follow to their Basket on Easter Morning. They still enjoy this process and as they've gotten older it's been really fun for us to try to get around the house before we go to bed!

We pained the boys by taking a few pictures with each of us Easter morning. The one of the boys with Wes is CLASSIC.

Eli had the idea to take this picture. Over the years I've learned that they will stay more engaged with you taking photos if you let them give you some ideas every once in a while.

Late afternoon we had an egg hunt in the yard. This year was interesting because the boys actually helped us fill the eggs before Wes hid them.

087|366 {Celebrate}...

087|366...the best reason to celebrate... "Jesus had risen, just as He told them He would. After a criminal does his time in jail and fully satisfies the sentence, the law has no more claim on him and he walks out free. Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins. That was an infinite sentence, but He must have satisfied it fully, because on Easter Sunday He walked out free. The resurrection was God’s way of stamping PAID IN FULL right across history so that nobody could miss it." ~Tim Keller

A photo posted by Jenna Mace (@jbmace) on Mar 27, 2016 at 3:27pm PDT

...click here to view my365 Project...

Easter Morning 2015...

  The boys searched for their baskets through a web of string as per our tradition early in the morning.  But this Easter we enjoyed a very different view than we typically do. 

 

 We spent the morning at the beach...

While the boys were busy playing I came across two sticks that we put together to make a cross and had some fun reflecting on Easter.

 

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 

Oh, praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
Oh, praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead

 







Ressurection Sunday...

The excitement leading up to this celebration was beautiful.  With Eli's newfound faith he marveled at everything and asked tons of questions.  His childlike faith challenged me to appreciate things anew this Easter.  It made me think about this scripture...

"“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

  One of my favorite days of the church is Maundy Thursday...my friend, Wanda Bickers and her team put together a very contemplative, self-guided experience to help you prepare your heart for Easter.  We decided to attend as a family this year which has it's benefits and also a few drawbacks.  It was wonderful to see each of the boys process the questions/activities at the different stations.  I had Will the first time through so I actually went back later that evening.  Eli asked to go again.  I loved walking through the stations with him.  He explained what I was to do at each of the stations.  I snapped a few iPhone pictures as we made our way through the stations.  Documenting his excitement and childlike faith so we would "remember" this Easter for years to come.

Early Easter morning we continued one of our favorite holiday traditions.  We tie strings from the boy's doorknobs ...they follow their color string in a maze through the house
to find their Easter baskets.  We had family in this Easter so the maze was "easy" Micaiah said.  I explained to him that we were afraid we would clothesline a late night bathroom user if we didn't make it easy this year. 
Get ready for next year buddy!

Eli took it upon himself to make things easier for the boys once everyone found their baskets...

There are only a few times of year where we actually dress up for church and Easter is one of them.  There is an earlier post with a serious Easter picture of the boys but the one below is one of my favorites.  

Joshua picked out his shirt and tie a few months ago when we were shopping for shorts for Micaiah.  He was so excited to wear a tie.

Then we were off to church.  Pat Goodman did an incredible job encouraging us to LIVE in the resurrected life.  If you have some time please take time to watch the message here (click on "watch video" for Easter 2014).

His message begins at the 32 minute mark.  The video they play after the sermon is worth your time (Wes sings over the video and does an awesome job.)  It begins at the 51 minute mark.

Then we were home to finish making Easter dinner.  I'm so thankful my mom did most of the work (because she is an amazing cook).  

After Easter dinner, the boys played a game of baseball in the front yard.  It's so wonderful to see buds on The Eastloch Tree!

We enjoyed an egg hunt later in the evening...this is the first year Micaiah said he didn't really want to do the egg hunt.  Thankfully this is the first year we decided to fill a few eggs with money so he changed his mind really quick.

"Jesus had risen, just as He told them He would. After a criminal does his time in jail and fully satisfies the sentence, the law has no more claim on him and he walks out free. Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for
our sins. That was an infinite sentence, but He must have satisfied it fully, because on Easter Sunday He walked out free. The resurrection was God’s way of stamping PAID IN FULL right across history so that nobody
could miss it.

On the Day of the Lord—the day that God makes everything right, the day that everything sad comes untrue—on that day the same thing will happen to your own hurts and sadness. You will find that the worst things that have ever happened to you will in the end only enhance your eternal delight. On that day, all of it will be turned inside out and you will know joy beyond the walls of the world. The joy
 of your glory will be that much greater for every scar you bear. So live in the light of the resurrection and renewal of this world, and of yourself, in a glorious, never-ending, joyful dance of grace"

~Timothy Keller~

Thank you Jesus...may we walk in your resurrected life. 

A Lenten Reflection..."Remedy"...

For the last year or so, I have been honored to be a part of a writing group.  If you follow my Multitude Monday posts, I have frequently referenced it as one of my gifts.  We were recently asked to write some lenten reflections to be used as a part of "40 Days | A Guide for Lent." 

 ~Joshua at the Jumonville Cross Easter Weekend 2012

“Remedy” by The David Crowder Band

Here we are, here we are. The broken and used, mistreated, abused. Here we are. Here You are, here You are. The beautiful one, who came like a Son. Here You are.

So we lift up our voices. We open our hands. To cling to the love that we can’t comprehend. Oh, lift up your voices. And lift up your heads. To sing of the love that has freed us from sin.

He is the one who has saved us. He is the one who embraced us. He is the one who has come and is coming again. He’s the remedy.

Here we are, here we are. Bandaged and bruised awaiting a cure. Here we are. Here You are, here You are. Our beautiful King bringing relief. Here You are with us

So we lift up our voices and open our hands. Let go of the things that have kept us from Him. 

Recently, one of our children has repeatedly asked us to listen to “Remedy.”   I’ve always loved the song but it’s taken on new meaning for me since his inquiries.  Most of the time as we’re listening to the song he will ask me “Mom, what is your favorite part of this song?”    One day I asked him the same question.  He replied, 

“He is the one who has saved us. He is the one who embraced us.
He is the one who has come and is coming again. He’s the remedy.”

Then I asked him what that verse of the song meant for him.  He said, ”In heaven there will be no more _________.”  When he answered, he listed the one thing that has brought him the most shame, defeat, and failure.  His awareness of the brokenness of this world is one thing but his ability to recognize Jesus as the remedy is another.  So often I think I can fix that one thing in my own life.  I can’t.  He can.  He’s the remedy.


Jesus, here we are, bandaged and bruised, awaiting a cure.  We open our hands to the One that comes to heal our brokenness.  Quiet our souls, let us trust in Your provision and love.
| Jenna Mace