Puzzle Pieces

Isabella and I got to do two 100 piece puzzles yesterday. She was so excited to accomplish them. But there were times when it seemed like the pieces just weren't going to fit anywhere. Then, there were other times that it seemed like we had the right piece. It was the right colors and shapes. The outline was just like it should be, the shades were perfect. BUT, it just didn't go there.

Isn't it funny how that is sometimes how life is? I was talking to someone a couple of days ago who had been investing into a piece of her life that seemed to be the piece she was looking for. However, for some reason, it just wouldn't fit. Something was off. We tried to figure out exactly what it was, but there wasn't a real answer. For right now, it just wasn't a good fit.

I am someone who likes things to fit neatly. I like them to easily go into their spot without a lot of pushing and force. I like them to fall into place and then stay there. No chance of having to do that piece over again! Do you like my fantasy?

Puzzles are fun. I very much enjoy them. But it takes a lot of patience to put a puzzle together. There are times you have picked up the exact piece that you need but you just aren't sure where it connects at that time. Come to find out that once a few more pieces are in place, that piece comes back into view and you know exactly where it goes.

I need to have the same patience with my life as I do with puzzles. God knows right where those pieces fit. He knows exactly what my puzzle will look like when I am finished.

Surprise!

Our family got an early surprise visit from the Easter Bunny tonight at dinner. I'm not kidding! This rabbit just hopped right into the back yard and hung out during dinner. The kids were exstatic! They couldn't believe it. Jordan (our family clown these days) says, "He's eating the grass. I wonder if he's gonna poop out our Easter gifts?" NICE!!

Do This in Remembrance of Me

Last night our family went to our church's Good Friday service. It was wonderfully done and very respectful. Greg and I decided that we would attend it with all of our kids. During the service, they offered communion. Mikayla and Jordan have both accepted Jesus into their hearts but have never had the opportunity to participate in communion. They both kind of looked at me and asked if this was something they got to do. We talked about what it meant and what the cracker and the juice represented. It was so sweet. They ingested every word that came out of my mouth. Then they walked forward, got thier bread and cup, and sat down. They asked if they should eat it or wait. I told them they could eat and drink it when they wanted. I encouraged them to bow their heads and just say thank you to God for the sacrifice that Jesus made to save them from their sins.

I watched as they both bowed their heads and closed their eyes. I tried to concentrate on participating myself but my heart was overflowing as I heard my daughter whisper "amen".

There are moments that we remember. Moments that make us laugh. Moments that remind us of when we were their age. Moments that cause us to count to 10....twice. But last night, I had a moment that I will treasure for all my days.

Now, don't think they are so grown up yet. As they finished and I turned to take their little cups, I was just in time to witness my 7 year old son furiously sticking his tongue as far into that little cup as he could get it so as not to miss one tiny little drop of grape juice. This also made me smile. I let him finish and then put the cups away.

When we were leaving last night, they asked us all to leave in silence. It was dramatic and really brought home the magnitude of those moments. I pray that God gives you moments this weekend to laugh and play with your kids. I pray that He grants you moments where you are silent and in awe of His sacrifice. I pray that you are blessed tomorrow morning when you wake up rejoicing that we serve a RISEN SAVIOR.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Dinner Rolls

I got to make my mom's homemade rolls from scratch today for the 1st time. My mom makes the best homemade rolls ever. They come out so light and fluffy. The butter just glosses the tops and you CAN NOT have just one!! I've been wanting to give them a try for awhile so I decided to make them for Easter.




I love my heritage and want to continue passing down pieces of it. Even things as simple as making rolls. She shared her secrets with me and my house smells really good :) Now for those of you who are really good at cooking you just smile because you are so good at this stuff. But for me, these are real accomplishments! Just check out my menu for tomorrow's Easter Brunch.....

Spiral Ham, Twice Baked Potatoes, Corn, Dinner Rolls, and Blackberry Cobbler w/vanilla ice cream for dessert. Some sparkling cider to wash it all down and WHALAH!!! Wish me luck.