Happy Easter!

Hopefully you all had a wonderful Easter. It is such a wonderful day for us. Without the Resurrection, there would be no joy, no hope, no eternal life. So thankful for what Christ did on the cross for us, but more importantly, that He rose from the grave conquering sin and death.

We enjoyed a great Sunrise service. This service starts at 7:30am. Believe it or not, we have a great turnout for this in spite of how early it is. This year, Marshall and Shaylen had learned a new hymn in their Bible class. It is entitled "Golden Harps Are Sounding." The words and music were written by Frances R. Havergal. As we sang it every day in school, the more I thought the words would be great for Resurrection Sunday. They read:

Golden harps are sounding,
Angel voices sing,
Gates of pearl are opened,
Opened for the King;
Christ the King of glory,
Jesus, King of love,
Is gone up in triumph
To His throne above.

Chorus: All His work is ended,
Joyfully we sing:
Jesus hath ascended! Glory to our King!

He who came to save us,
He who bled and died,
Now is crowned with glory
At His Father's side;
Nevermore to suffer,
Nevermore to die,
Jesus, King of glory,
Has gone up on high.

Praying for His children
In that blessed place,
Calling them to glory,
Sending them His grace;
His bright home preparing,
Faithful ones, for you;
Jesus ever liveth,
Ever loveth too.

So, to make a long story short (or longer), I talked to Taigen about it and we decided to sing it as a family during the sunrise service. We've sung lots of times together in nursing homes, and at home, but never before as a family in church. It was a special, memorable moment on this blessed day! The kids did a great job and sang right out.

Not only did they sound good, but they also looked fabulous. Thank yous go to Grandma Sherry who outfitted them with the beautiful and colorful outfits. I snapped up these photos of them in our backyard after the morning service. (I would have snapped them before we left for church, but it was cooler and very early...6:45am!)

After lunch today we went over to our friends' house. This makes the third Easter that we have spent with them. Our church does a sunrise service, Sunday school, a morning service and then no evening service. We enjoy going over to the Meroff's and enjoying a relaxing time all afternoon.

Amy is a great cook! We had ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, carrots, and rolls. For dessert, Taigen made his award-winning Reese's Peanut Butter Cake. That cake gets more and more delicious each time I eat it. I thought I would share this photo of this trio eating theirs. This is Matthew with the twins. He is seven and in second grade. Matthew is a great friend to Marshall and Shaylen (and, I might add, is super cute). We hardly see any of the five kids when we are there because they have so much fun together. Eventually though, they get hungry and then they make their presence known.

It was a wonderful day! After we came home from the Meroff's, we went outside and enjoyed the wonderful weather. We're seeing signs of life underneath dried leaves and old mulch. Thankful for the New Life which Christ gives. Happy Easter to you all.