Easter - with music

 Sunrise service at the park a block from our house. 

"Where you there when he rose up from the grave? Sometimes I feel like shouting Glory!"

The band warming up.

I was part of a small choir which sang this song, beautiful and haunting and hopeful. The picture of worshiping God in heavenly Jerusalem with angels and saints and elders...chills...

After the service we all went out and released balloons. Just a a visual reminder and celebration. 

During our service we also sang this song, "Death In His Grave" and I cry every time we sing it. 

Here we are in our Easter finery. 

After church we had a number of friends over for a cookout and the kids hunted eggs. I love having our yard full of people.

Even though we were tired after everyone left I really wanted to go on a hike. Dovie had spent the better part of two days in the house or in her crate and she deserved a good long walk. Plus, I knew the flowers were blooming at The Pocket and I wanted to get out and enjoy them.

Easter is my favorite day. I can't get through it without crying. I especially think of Mary, who was forgiven so much and loved Jesus so much, going to the tomb in the early morning only to find it empty. I think of her weeping with sorrow because Jesus is gone and she wanted to do a final act of love and service by anointing his body. I think of her arguing desperately with the man who she believes is the gardener. I am undone when I think of Jesus tenderly speaking her name, "Mary" and how she must have thrilled in that moment, at the sound of his voice!How I wish I could have been there with her! Then I remember that the promise of the resurrection means that one day I will stand before Jesus, he will say my name, and I can't even imagine the joy I will feel at seeing and knowing him!

This final song pretty much sums up my thoughts and emotions. We sang it on Sunday morning as well. Please take a moment to listen.

See the Conqueror mounts in triumph

See the King in royal state

Riding on the clouds His chariot

To his heavenly palace gate

Hark the choirs of angel voices

Joyful alleluias sing

And the portals high are lifted

to receive their heavenly King.

Who is this that comes in glory

with the trump of jubilee?

Lord of battles, God of armies,

He has gained the victory!

He who on the cross did suffer!

He who from the grave arose!

He has vanquished sin and satan!

He by death has spoiled his foes!

They raced to the tomb, angels stood by

Mary was weeping for the empty inside

For the sins of the world, for the sake of His bride

He went to His death, and behold, He’s alive!

He's alive! O He's alive!

Thou hast raised our human nature

In the clouds to God’s right hand

There we sit in heavenly places

There with Thee in glory stand

Jesus reigns adorned by angels

Man with God is on the throne

Mighty Lord in Thine ascension

We by faith behold our own

We by faith behold our own

See the Conqueror - Jenny & Tyler - Open Your Doors - Copyright 2011 One Eyed Cat Music (BMI)                         

Verse Lyrics by Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885), 1862.

Bridge Lyrics by Jennifer Somers (BMI), Tyler Somers (BMI), and Mitch Dane (ASCAP)

Music by Jennifer Somers (BMI), Tyler Somers (BMI), and Mitch Dane (ASCAP)      

Egg Smashing

 What is it about eating outside that makes food taste better?

 Lilly was all about the egg smashing.

 Nathaniel said he couldn't reach anyone's head so he just smashed eggs on their backs. 

 Our friend Gama was a very good sport and let many of the kids get him. 

Jeremiah took complete advantage of this.

 

 Pastor Tom is a good sport too. 

 

Nathaniel is plotting something. 

 My wild boy.

 

 Organized weapon play. It looks worse than it is...

 These girls...I love them...

 Aaron and Pastor Tom practice some bow and arrow shooting.

 Nathaniel takes a turn.

It is always the best kind of day. Sunshine. Good food enjoyed outside. The company of people that we have shared life with for many years. Room for the kids to roam. Laughter and fun. Interesting conversations as a lazy afternoon unfolds. Games and general tom-foolery. 

Easter Egg smashing at Linda's is one of the highlights of our year. It was good. 

Spring Fun

We had a fun day at our town's egg hunt. Immediately after the egg hunt our church hosted a puppet show, face painting, and free food. It was a fun day. We brought Dovie who did excellently and was quite a hit with the kids. I feel beyond thankful to be living in the community and serving with these people.

Date Nights

As the boys grow it is getting more important to find ways to spend individual time together. When they were babies it felt like the days would never end but now we feel the press of time as we realize how our years with them are limited. In March we had two good opportunities to take the boys on individual "date nights."

Jeremiah's friend Carter was in Seussical the Musical with a local theater company so he and I went out to dinner at IHOP (his choice of course) and then watched the play. It was lots of fun. I really enjoyed getting to spend some time talking and hanging out. The play was really well done and Jeremiah enjoyed being able to encourage his friend.

Nathaniel has been very interested in music of all kinds lately. His current favorite band is The Vespers. Aaron and I had seen them in Chattanooga for our anniversary and we knew that they gave a fun show so when we found out they were going to be in Chattanooga again we took Nathaniel. He was mesmerized. He was pretty excited to get to meet all of the band members after the show. If you have a chance watch them on YouTube, they are a really fun band.

These boys are growing up. It is so much fun to watch their individual personalities and interests emerge. It is fun to have more in depth and thoughtful conversations. We sure proud of the young men they are becoming.

Meet Dovie

So this happened last week....

We have been considering getting a dog for a little while but were going to need to be a bit picky. Nathaniel especially was on a full out campaign to get a family dog, even going so far as to give us all his money. I posted something about how cute that was on Facebook and the next day got a message from a friend about a dog she knew that needed a home.

Less than a week later Dovie came to our home.

She is an almost-3-year-old Wheaten Terrier. She is sweet and loveable. We have some things we are working on (like not pulling on a leash, and going potty outside) but in general she seems to be fitting in very well. She has lots of energy, but also stays very calm in the house and can often be found sleeping in her crate. She loves to ride in the van on go on long walks. The boys immediately took to her. Jeremiah calls himself her trainer (although I am pretty sure she is the boss in the relationship) and Nathaniel is fiercely protective.

We are all trying to make the adjustment but so far are enjoying having Dovie around.

A visit

A few weeks ago Oma and Opa came down from snowy Philadelphia for a visit. February is a fickle month here in Georgia but we were graced with lovely pre-sping weather! We ate meals out on the deck in the sunshine. We enjoyed a gorgeous day at the Chattanooga Nature Center. It was lovely!