Thanks...but don't come in.

It is almost Easter! This is one of my favorite holidays! There is no other service that can bring me to tears as often as Easter. I always find it a struggle to hold myself together through the songs, music has always spoken to my heart, to fully grasp the sacrifice and power that was lived out on our behalf.....but more on that another time!

I don't know how you celebrate at your house but in my house we never made a big deal of the Easter bunny. Really it all started with Meridith who was terrified of the Easter bunny as a 2-4 year old. In fact, we couldn't even go to the mall from March - April for fear of bumping into him (no really she was hysterical)! So the Easter bunny was never allowed in our house. We had to post a sign on the front door which read "Thank you for the treats but please dont come in". He would "leave" the goodies on our front porch and we would hide them that day. As the girls got older and our roles at church on Easter morning increased, the secular celebration of Easter took a smaller and smaller role.
This year as we were talking through the details of Easter morning, Rachel said,"Come on mom you can tell me the truth, I don't think there is an Easter bunny. What do you think? What's your guess mom?" after reflecting the question back to her a few times (also how we deal with Santa, who may have seen his last Christmas.....sniff) I finally asked her if she really wanted me to answer her. "Ha! I knew it!" she exclaimed, " that never made any sense to me!" She then followed up with, "I bet there is no tooth fairy either, that one always seemed crazy to me!" Then a moment later "We still get the stuff right?"

That kid cracks me up! As sad as it can be to see them letting go of the fairy tales it excites us to no end, to watch them begin to grasp the true significance of these holidays. What a gift is that child-like faith Christ called us to!


If you don't have a church home why not join us for Easter... Hope4Easter.com.

Happy Tears

I am a big sap.

It really is true I can shed happy tears over anything! I often thouroughly embarrass my children because the mere mention of their grades in school can send me reaching for the tissues.

I was recently the guest reader in Rachel's first grade class. Choosing the story was no easy task, apparently I am FAR too dramatic when I read "Don't Let The Pigeon Stay up Late"! She was quite worried I would make her the laughing stock by actually yawning, rather than just reading the word "yawn". But once I began reading (and yes i actually yawned),she was so excited; smiled from ear to ear as the kids giggled and laughed along with the story. Watching her little face it was all I could do to keep from completely humiliating her by bursting into happy tears.

The same thing happened last weekend as I watched Meridith take long and sleek strokes down the length of the pool (nearly plowing over her swim coach). Remembering a few short years ago when the thought of the deep end would send her to fits of nail biting which would leave her bleeding, I sat on the bench desperately trying to hide the tears from my daughter's glance. I didn't worry about the other moms, I know they understand, something about being a mom,blessings bring us happy tears.

I think about how Mary must have felt as the shepherds, wiseman and prophets paid honor to her son. On some level she must have known all He would do for us. The bible tells us she treasured all things in her heart. I bet she cried happy tears!

Condo with a view of the sea

So I have recently acquired a condo with a view of the sea.  Sounds lovely right? It might be were the address not in Crazy Town over looking the Sea of Despair.  Maybe you've traveled there too?  One minute you are walking along, everything is fine and then boom a train comes by and before you even know what hit you, you are on it. You know how it goes, one thought leads to another and then you are an official resident of Crazy Town, your condo even has a welcome mat with your name on it!
I find that often the trip starts with a single thought,  it seems innocent enough, but before long that thought is a scenario, and that scenario becomes an expected reality and if you are crazy like me somebody ends up dead. (hmmm did I reveal too much there?)
So my most recent trip revolves around an actual trip.  My in laws have been gracious and generous enough to take my husband, children and I on a cruise with them this summer.  PLEASE do not mistake my insanity for ingratitude I recognize what a generous blessing this is for my family!!
 I have always had water issues, for as long as I can remember, but I've always pushed through them, until a year and a half ago when Meridith and I almost drowned.  Not a cutesy, splash around and be scared near drowning, but a call 911 half of the force responds, mommy lands in the hospital kind of drowning. (This is a blog for another time).  Anyway suffice it to say my water issues have taken on a life of their own.  So while the idea of a cruise caused that all too familiar creeping feeling of anxiety to rise up in my chest, I also knew this was an awesome opportunity and once there I was sure I would have fun!
So I moved on, every once and a while I'd see a train approaching (is the ship really safe, what if my kid falls overboard- told you it was crazy) but I'd recognize that this was not a train I wanted to ride.  I would counter these speeding thoughts with common sense- Ships are safer than driving a car, the kid will not fall off the ship. Besides if she did she'd float cause she will be living in a life vest and floaties the entire trip (oops I may have detoured to crazy town again).Back on point, I could talk myself through the oncoming trains and rest assured that all would be fine. That was until the Italian Cruise ship this weekend. . . . .  I made it to crazy town in record time, in fact they may have named me Mayor.
I have to say I am still walking back and it is a much longer and slower journey than it was to get there.  But I recognize that I can't do it alone.  I am going to have to lean on God.  I am going to have to trust that He will never leave me or forsake me.  He gave me Isaiah 43:2 the other day, " when you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers they will not overwhelm you."  Now I realize Isaiah was prophesying about Moses and parting the Red Sea but I am going to trust Him to part my Sea of Despair as well.  I am going to trust Him to be my true companion on this long walk back and as we set sail, for what I am sure will be a joyous and blessed vacation.