Happy Easter everyone!
And it truly is a Happy Happy Easter.  Why? BECAUSE HE IS RISEN! I love Easter so much because it causes me to reflect on and remember the price Christ paid for my Salvation. Not only did He die on the cross for my sins and for the sins of the entire world, demonstrating a love that is unimaginable from our human perspective,  but he also AROSE from the dead! Because of that,  He conquered death and created a way for us to reside with our Heavenly Father in eternity. Our slates are wiped clean because of the blood that He split so long ago.
One of my favorite Easter/Good Friday songs is "How Deep the Fathers Love." I'm going to post the lyrics below, but I urge you as you read these words to remember that this love is for you, and it is a deep deep all-consuming, wondrous love.  Remember, He came so you could live.

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.   If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,  that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. "
Romans 6:1-7

Last week  we celebrated my Grandma's birthday! She turned 39!!!!!!!! (ah-hem....cough 82.....cough...)
We are so blessed to have our Grandma in our lives!!! She is fit and active and walks circles around those younger folk at her work. Yes you heard me right, she still works, they can't let go her, she's just too good!!!!
Grandma, we are so thankful for everything you do for us! For hanging out with us, teaching us how to prepare and make food the "proper way," for loving us, for making yummy potato salad for us, for playing with all your great grand kids, for wonderful memories with you and Grandpa, and for being a wonderful friend. We are truly blessed to have you with us!  We love you so much! Happy Birthday Grandma!