Happy Easter!

We had a really REALLY lovely day today, celebrating Easter with our family and friends. We had about 27 people at our house today - both sides of our family came (the grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties, great-aunts) and we also had friends from all over the world with us. :) The "Norwegians," as they are fondly called, were with us as well as friends from our own area.

Turkey with gravy, ham with ham sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, baked beans, corn bread pudding (YUM-MEE!), macaroni and cheese, "green stuff", cranberry jello salad - SERIOUSLY it was a FEAST! Everyone brought something to share and yummy food was a-plenty!

The kids ran around outside in the water from the hose (Ella's clothes didn't last long - is anyone surprised??), we played soccer for a little bit, bubbles were blown, frisbees thrown, I believe there was some candy eaten. :) My Grandpa brought his mandolin along that he's been working on restoring and it's finished - and GORGEOUS. I'm glad he got a chance to show it off because he's spend HOURS on that thing and he did a REALLY fine job. At one point two of my sisters and I even boogied on the piano for a few minutes to our own rendition of Heart and Soul - something we haven't done in YEARS. :)

Most importantly, we gathered in celebration and remembrance of what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us so many years ago - Romans 5:8-11

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be SAVED BY HIS LIFE. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.


Micah daily talks about Jesus and why He went to the cross - what was His purpose in that. I try not to forget and leave out the VERY important fact that not only did he die on the cross for us, but He did NOT stay dead! Three days later he rose from the tomb and in doing so, conquered sin and death. Because of Him we have hope :)

I'm thankful for the wonderful family and friends we had with us today, and I'm so thankful for the grace of God in my life. :) I hope you all had a blessed Easter this day!