Easter treats

Tulips from Tim and sweets for tomorrow's dinner with friends - happy Easter!! xoxo


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Lamb of God

sharon montrose

This year I've had a fresh look at Easter. I work in a Jewish subacute care facility, and this week was Passover. All week long I watched the observant residents don their caps and prayer shawls and gather to sing and pray and celebrate God's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt thousands of years ago.  

"...each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. ⁴ ...Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. ⁸ That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. ⁹ ... ¹¹ This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.

 ¹² "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. ¹³ The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

 ¹⁴ "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance...

 ¹⁷ "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.^{" Exodus 12: 3-17}

Many of these faithful bear the marks of imprisonment in Nazi death camps - scars and ID numbers tattooed on their wrinkled arms. Their understanding of deliverance is so much deeper than mine, but just being around them and seeing their faith has strengthened mine. I am so thankful that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for me and all of the other lost souls of this world. I am so thankful that He rose again. The perfect Lamb of God to deliver us from slavery and death - to take away the sins of the world.

¹After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

 ²There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 ⁵The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
 ⁸So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28 1-10

Yummy kitchens

And the winner is...

...Newport! Thanks to my family for playing along with my survey about what we should do with our free day while they're in town this May. I think everyone will get to do a little bit of what they want to do in fabulous, sunny Newport. 

We can hike out to this lighthouse and climb around on the rocks...

...shop and sample yummy foods at the Wharf...

...and enjoy a picnic at the beach.

And, for anyone who is interested, there is an abundance of fresh, delicious seafood everywhere you look. Yummm.

I recommend this site for more information (and pretty pictures!) I can't wait to see you guys!! We are going to have such a great time! xoxo

(UPDATE: Another great source. Thanks, Vanny!)

Girly glam

holly dyment

holly dyment

Showers of blessings

I have had the most wonderful, possibly perfect, Saturday. I slept in (relatively) late this morning, and then had breakfast and a devotional with some amazing women from my church family. I did a little shopping and scored some amazing plates on sale at anthroplogie:

(At first glance they appear to be just normal, respectable, neutral dinnerware. But on closer inspection...

  

...lizards and leaves and vines!!!! I can't explain how much I love these, or how pleased I am with the deal I got.)




But, back to my perfect Saturday. While I was out this morning enjoying myself, my sweet husband ran errands and bought food, and his bolognese sauce has been simmering all day. Heavenly. The rest of the day has been spent walking our sassy pup, taking care of our home, jogging, listening to music, and just enjoying being together.

It's another one of those days when I feel so blessed my heart overflows with thanksgiving. It happens to me a lot lately, and I find myself wondering, why me? I know so many people who are struggling - with relationships, addiction, career, faith, money, health - and we are blessed over and over again. I don't know why God has blessed me so generously, but I am humbled and thankful and I know this much is true:

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded: and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12: 48

Thank you, Father, for the blessings You pour over me and my family. I know that every good and perfect thing is from You and no one else. Give me the strength to honor You with my life and use Your blessing to Your glory. Amen.

Happy friday!

Enjoy yourself!!! xoxo