What a lovely Easter weekend we had! My friend from Iowa and her daughter got here on Saturday morning. We promptly took off for the second hand stores. Had lots of fun shopping and found a few bargains as well. Her daughter and my two kids and the drummer from our church worship team spent five hours on Saturday over at the church practicing the songs for Sunday's service. It surely did show on Sunday morning as they led worship and featured several songs from this girl's new cd. They sounded so professional; it was as if they had been playing together forever!

There were a lot of visitors at church and that's always encouraging. After the service, we had breakfast in the fellowship hall. Our food committee outdid themselves this year. It was one of the best Easter breakfasts I remember. They got together on Saturday and fried lots of raised doughnuts for the breakfast. They were trying out their recipe as this year we will be "on our own" for the bazaar. The lady that has been in charge of the doughnut making for years and years is retiring from the job. They felt that Easter breakfast was a great time to perfect their recipe--it was wonderful!! As well as the doughnuts, several people from the congregation brought in egg casseroles. Hashbrowns and mixed fruit were served with those. The tables were beautifully decorated and the whole morning was just great.

After church we came home and took naps. Wow, was I ever exhausted. I guess everyone was. About two o'clock I got up and began preparing the day's chosen menu--honey barbequed chicken strips and pizza rolls. Yes, that's what the family wanted. No more ham. We did all we could with the ham last week! Some of you told me that you were enjoying the ham stories. Just a little update on that ham--the ham salad was all eaten with no leftovers--good stuff, and Daisy ate the bone! What a bargain. I used to think buying a ham with a bone wasn't as good a deal as one that was boneless. Now I see the value in so many ways--good for the dog as well by helping save on expensive veterinary dental cleanings!

After we ate, we all went outside and watched Emma enjoy the bubbles that Grandpa Clint (Papa) had purchased for her. She was so sweet as she tried to catch them. We took lots of pictures. Later she tried on her new eyelet dress that Granny(Lori) made her and it fit pretty well. She left for her other grandpa's wearing the new dress.

I ended up taking a long walk after the family had all left. I noticed that many people were out enjoying one of the prettiest days we've had in Michigan this year! I saw three or four other people walking while I was out. Also saw neighbor children riding go carts, people on bikes, and even woodchucks out sunning themselves. A certain woodchuck sunning himself on our back acreage made an interesting day for the gentlemen in our family. They have views on woodchucks and all the damage they cause on a farm! That little furry guy's presence was frustrating them!

It just seemed to me like yesterday, being Easter Sunday, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus; that everyone was celebrating life--whether they knew it or not! Clint spoke alot about life in his really good sermon during the morning service. He cited several of the verses that Jesus spoke concerning life."....I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6. God is all about life. Just read Deuteronomy chapter 30, verses 11 through 20. God tells His people to choose life.When you choose Jesus, you are choosing life. There is no day on the Christian calendar that is more about life than the day we celebrate the resurrection. With the sun shining all day yesterday, it just seemed like a celebration of life!

While I was on my walk yesterday afternoon, I passed a low, swamp area that is filled with stagnant water, slimy pond scum, and even garbage that people have thrown into the water. It reminded of one of my favorite passages of scripture that appears in Ezekiel. The prophet was describing a vision of the Holy City and the temple. In chapter 47 he was describing the river that flows from the temple. It is evident that this water represents life and the Holy Spirit since everything that it touches flourishes. But verse 11 describes the places that are outside the flow of the river. It says, "But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt." Isn't that interesting? When you are outside the source of life, there is no healing, no growth, no flourishing; just a return to salt. Lot's wife made a choice and she was returned to salt. What choice will we make each day in our lives? Will we celebrate life every day of the year by choosing life; choosing Jesus? Or will we resist the Holy Spirit's tug on our hearts, resulting in death and a return to salt? Something to ponder as we mark once again for another year the most joyous event in history and what Jesus did for us! Blessings, LORI