Easter Archives • New Nostalgia

Counting Gifts/ Easter/ FAMILY/ Kids/Family

Our Easter Sunday & A Powerful Video

I didn’t know what to expect this Easter, as I have not been feeling well and our usual family extended family plans didn’t happen this year. I did have a sense of relief that I could rest if I needed to, but I wanted the day to feel important…because it is.

The Easter bunny usually is on top of things at our house and has the baskets ready and waiting when our girls wake up. This year I woke up in a panic, realizing I had completely forgotten to get their baskets ready. I made an announcement that they would receive their baskets after they got ready for church to buy myself some time!

Our baskets contained jelly beans, some chocolate, & a golden egg with a few bucks in it. Our girls are getting older and prefer cash instead of junk food or gifts, so that makes things easy.

Church this morning was amazing. Our 2 older girls sat in with us this week. I loved having them next to me. We also got there early enough (miracle) to say hello to my in-laws. I love them so much and it was good to see them on such a special day. The service was beautiful & a highlight for me was a video that they showed, which I will share below.

Another highlight for me was listening to my sister-in-law play the violin. She played through the whole service, but her part in the song “In Christ Alone” was my favorite. It gave me chills.

I felt a bit lightheaded during the service and had to hold on to my Todd or sit down for a few of the songs. I didn’t like that and hoped that food would help.

We went to the early service, so we were out of church by 10:30. We planned to go out for brunch. My goal is to only cook hard boiled eggs for coloring later this afternoon, so going out to eat was perfect.

I enjoyed my veggie omelet. My little one loved her silly face pancake. I definitely felt better after eating and continue to feel better this afternoon than I have in days. Maybe eating all this high-potassium food is working?!

My middle girl was not too into having her picture taken, so I had to be sneaky. Isn’t she cute?

We got home and it has been a beautiful, super chill afternoon. We have the windows open and everyone is just hanging out. I put some eggs on to boil and my girls are dipping them as I type. I plan on using the extra eggs to make egg salad sandwiches for tonight’s dinner, which we plan on eating while watching recorded episodes of The Bible. Seems appropriate for the day, don’t you think?

I’m sitting by an open window and I hear my Todd busy outside. One of my girls just told me he is getting our bikes all pumped up and ready to ride. This makes me very happy and eager to get my energy back up!!

Oops..got girl drama at the Easter egg table so I need to sign off. It is a good reminder of how broken we all are, especially me, as my blood pressure starts to go up at the first sign of bickering.

I’m also reminded of this beautiful video that was shown this morning at our church service. It shows how broken is made whole in such a beautiful way. I’d love if you took the time to watch it.

I would love to know what you think of the video.

I’d also love to know what you are up to this Easter day!

Cancer Journey/ Easter/ HEALTH/ Love/ Spiritual

Indescribable Peace

In Christ Alone by Owl City

It was over 15 years ago, I was 21 years old, a newlywed. I was sitting in church on Easter morning, terrified, with the question of “what if?” on my brain.

The day before, I received a phone call while at work, hairdressing. I was drying my last client of the day, and I was called to the front for a phone call.

On the phone was my dermatologist, whom I had visited just a few days before. “I’m sorry to have to tell you this over the phone, but you have skin cancer, and it is the kind that is not usually nice. Melanoma. If we caught it in time, you will be fine. If it is in the bloodstream already, your chances of beating it are very slim.

It was a very short phone call, I went back to drying my client’s hair, not sure how I was holding on to the hairdryer, as I felt numb all over.

I don’t remember much of that weekend, but I DO remember that it was Easter Sunday, and as I was sitting in church, the only thing I heard the Pastor say was..“you can experience the peace that passes all understanding when you know Jesus.”

Right as he said those words, a deep peace came over me. Fear took a back seat, and I experienced for the first time what that verse meant. It was such a sweet feeling.

That was early in my walk with God, and over the years I have grown in my knowledge of what it means to walk in peace and to trust in the plan He has for my life.

It has taken many, many lessons, and many screw ups on my part. God has proven over and over that He is worthy of my devotion, that He is good ALL the time, and that no matter what, He will never leave me.

My melanoma was caught in time, and surgery was enough to get rid of it. I was thankful but so young. I’m not sure I really got just how blessed I was that we caught it in time.

Fast forward 15 years. As you all know, I had another cancer diagnosis last year. Again, I felt the numbness that comes with that phone call. This time I was much older, wiser, and there was so much more at stake.

I had a husband of 14 years whom I had grown to love so very much, who I desperately longed to grow old with, and I had 3 little ones who would hurt deeply if anything happened to me.

These facts made peace hard to come by. If you followed my journey on Caring Bridge, you know my emotions were so up and down and my peace and trust were tested all throughout my cancer fight.

Fear raged, but, I also experienced a peace and trust that I never thought was possible. I fell very, very deep in love with my Jesus who has been by my side all these years.

I’ve always loved Him, ever since I was young, but oh the sweetness of Him that I experienced in this trial. Beyond what words can describe.

So tomorrow, I find myself facing yet another Easter Sunday, where I will sit with the question of “what if?” I have tests next week to check a spot on my kidney, and there is a possibility that cancer has visited me once again.

I have realized something this time, though. Fear has lost its grip.

That doesn’t mean it won’t rear its ugly head at times, but it does not consume me, and I am FREE. This trust I have found, it feels like rest, and that is what I am doing.

I am in His hands and I am at rest. I no longer feel panicked when I think of my 3 precious girls and that question “what if?”

I realized this week, that I finally, FINALLY I have been able to go even deeper into my trust and give them to HIM.

I know that the amazing God who has loved me all through my years will have their little hearts and will take care of them, no matter what.

And that man of mine that I love so very much? I know He has him, too.

I smiled and felt a chill when I realized this. As the song says below, “no guilt in life, no fear of death, this is the power of Christ in me.”

This Easter is a special one. I am remembering. I am remembering how He chose death, so I can be free from the fear of death.

He hung on that cross and took on my guilt, so I stand here free of guilt, despite how messed up I am. He overcame death so that I can have eternal life, forever with Him.

Lyrics:

In Christ Alone, My Hope Is Found
He Is My Light, My Strength, My Song
This Cornerstone, This Solid Ground
Firm Through The Fiercest Drought And Storm
What Heights Of Love, What Depths Of Peace
When Fears Are Stilled, When Strivings Cease 
My Comforter, My All-in-all
Here In The Love Of Christ, I Stand

There In The Ground His Body Lay
Light Of The World By Darkness Slain
Then Bursting Forth In Glorious Day
Up From The Grave He Rose Again
And As He Stands In Victory
Sin’s Curse Has Lost Its Grip On Me
For I Am His And He Is Mine
Bought With The Precious Blood Of Christ

No Guilt In Life, No Fear In Death
This Is The Power Of Christ In Me 
From Life’s First Cry To Final Breath
Jesus Commands My Destiny 
No Power Of Hell, No Scheme Of Man
Can Ever Pluck Me From His Hand
Till He Returns Or Calls Me Home
Here In The Power OfChrist

I’ll Stand
Till He Returns Or Calls Me Home
Here In The Power Of Christ

I’ll Stand
Here In The Power Of Christ

I’ll Stand

Easter/ Spiritual

Celebrating Good Friday

{photo credit}

Activities To Do With Children, In Remembrance:

Tell The Easter Story With A Playdough Mountain @ Desiring God

Resurrection Cookies With A Story @ A Bird And A Bean

Easy Resurrection Buns (scroll to end of post after clicking) @ Take Six

Lenten Repentance Box @ New Nostalgia

An Easter Lesson @ New Nostalgia

How To Make An Easter Garden @ Holy Experience

Make Hot Cross Buns @ Pioneer Woman

A Beautiful, Handmade Light Wreath, To Help Us Remember The Way:

A Light Wreath @ Holy Experience

Writings To Remember & Reflect:

His Mother Before The Cross @ A Holy Experience

A Song On Screen:

The Real Reason For Easter @ YouTube

Easter

18 Awesome Easter Ideas

Cross Cupcakes

The perfect Easter Sunday dessert.

Easter Bunny Roll Recipe

I can’t get over the cuteness!

Easter Resurrection Rolls

I did this last year with my girls and it was a really special and yummy way to think about Easter.

Easy Spoon Nests

These would be fun to make with Littles.

Easter Bunny Bait Snack Mix

Bunny Bait. The cutest little treat I ever did see!

Birds Nest Cookies

These are easy to make and really cute.

Embroidery Floss Easter Eggs

My 9 year old would really get into making these. Embroidery floss dipped in glue, wrapped around anything egg shaped.

20 Non-Candy Easter Egg Stuffers

A great list for a nice change.

Plant an Easter Garden

Great idea to teach kids the true meaning of Easter.

Bunner Napkin Fold

Super cute Easter napkins.

Easter Sheep Treats

These are so cute, they make me smile. From Tip Junkie, via Southern Living.

Plastic Egg Garland

A great last-minute Easter decoration.

Easter

Happy Easter-He Has Risen!

Jesus said to her,

“I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in me, though he die,

yet shall he live,

John 11:23 esv

Easter

Good Friday

{photo credit}

Activities To Do With Children, In Remembrance:
Tell The Easter Story With A Playdough Mountain @ Desiring God
Resurrection Cookies With A Story @ A Bird And A Bean
Easy Resurrection Buns (scroll to end of post after clicking) @ Take Six
Lenten Repentance Box @ New Nostalgia
An Easter Lesson @ New Nostalgia
How To Make An Easter Garden @ Holy Experience
Make Hot Cross Buns @ Pioneer Woman

A Beautiful, Handmade Light Wreath, To Help Us Remember The Way:
A Light Wreath @ Holy Experience

Writings To Remember & Reflect:
His Mother Before The Cross @ A Holy Experience

A Song On Screen:
The Real Reason For Easter @ YouTube

Easter

Lenten Lights

Lenton Lights

Eight Biblical Devotions To Prepare For Easter

{from John Piper’s Desiring God}

I just found this online and I’m excited to do this with my family this year. It is simple but meaningful.

We are going to start tonight and do it once a week until Easter.

I am using simple tealights as candles.

Below is the introduction,

then a link to click through to the readings

Introduction

Using These Readings

Each reading begins with a few sentences that summarize the thought for the day. All the rest is Scripture—letting God speak to us directly from his Word.

This devotional may be used weekly or daily. And if you choose, it also can be used together with seven candles, representing the Light of the World.

Reading Weekly

There is one reading for each Sunday of Lent and for Good Friday and Easter.

Reading Daily

Daily use should begin on the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend. This leaves Saturday, the day before Easter, with no devotional, a reminder of the emptiness experienced by Jesus’ followers between his death and resurrection.

Without Candles

These pages may be used simply for personal or family reading and meditation in preparation for Easter. In that case, please ignore the bracketed candle instructions within each reading.

With Candles

The readings may also be used in conjunction with any grouping of seven candles. On the first day, all seven should be burning as you begin reading the first devotional. Bracketed instructions within the reading tell you when to snuff out one candle. On the second day, six candles burn as you begin reading, and you snuff out one of them when instructed, and so on. On Good Friday, the last candle is extinguished. Then on Easter, there are instructions within the reading to light all seven candles.

The Symbolism of the Seven Candles

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). But for a while it seemed as if the darkness was overcoming—for a long while.

Your seven candles symbolize the Light of the World—the Light that was God’s glory and that illuminated God for us—the Light that, in the end, seemed to have been darkened. As we move through the season preceding Easter, the candles are snuffed out one by one, until all are dark on Good Friday, when Jesus died and the earth was covered with shadow. Darkness apparently had won. The Light of the World had been extinguished. It was finished.

But NO! Easter brings resurrection! Life! Return from death! The Light has won and all the candles burn as we praise him—the Light of the World, the Bright Morning Star, the Glory of God.

Click here for the readings…

Older Posts