We did the usual Monday morning errands this morning and have just finished lunch. Now I need to try to do a bit of catching up. Last week was so busy – too many things got let go. I’m behind on just about everything – including doing any writing or reading of posts. I’m going to try to get lots done in the next couple of days because we go to Houston bright and early Thursday morning to do a bit of baby sitting.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. We certainly did. We sang with our church choir Friday night, Saturday night and the early service on Sunday morning. It was just glorious. I think that’s the best word to describe it. You would think it would get a bit boring singing the same songs, watching the same drama and hearing the same sermon. All I can say is we were both disappointed we couldn’t stay for the late service on Sunday. Our church was filled to overflowing; the music was amazing; the drama was so touching and the sermon truly uplifting. Jesus was there – just as He was in every place where there were two or more gathered together in His name. The prayer of our hearts is that lives were changed and souls saved in each of those places.

On Friday I had to make a quick run to see my sweet Physician’s Assistant (who really takes care of most of my health care and is just brilliant as far as I’m concerned). My right ear had been giving me trouble off and on for a week or so, but it had gotten to the point where it was totally blocked. I mean – I was as deaf as a post in that ear. I felt like I had my head stuck in a barrel. I called her in the morning, and she told me to come on in at 1:15; that in and of itself is nothing short of miraculous. She is so busy (she works at the V.A. where I have my health care coverage through my husband’s disability), but she made the time for me. She flushed out both my ears (and I’ll spare you the description of the amount of wax that came out), and it was like a miracle. I could hear again!! I was so grateful. Singing with one ear plugged up is not pleasant. I can hear myself far too clearly!

After church on Sunday, we met our daughter for lunch. After lunch we headed out to my Mom and Dad’s for the family gathering. Their little house was bursting at the seams (and the kids and grandkids from Houston weren’t even there). Our granddaughters had their Easter egg hunt in the back yard (despite the very chilly – make that cold – weather). Then we ate until we were stuffed. My Mom is amazing. She still dyed Easter eggs, baked Italian Easter cookies and Easter bread and prepared the meal. I just treasure every one of these family gatherings. Each one is so precious.

My Dad surprised me with a special little gift. I decided to give up sweets for the six weeks leading up to Easter. Anyone who knows me will understand that that wasn’t easy for me to do. I’m the girl who would rather have chocolate than a healthy piece of fruit any day of the week. I didn’t really tell many people about it, but I had to tell my Mom and Dad because every time we visit she bakes!! When we arrived at my parents’ house yesterday, my mother took me aside and told me my Dad was so proud of me for keeping my commitment he bought me a present. It was a SOLID DARK CHOCOLATE EASTER BUNNY! I can only say that is my idea of a perfect Easter present.

It has been a blessed season for me. I love this time of year and this particular celebration is so special. The one think that really spoke to me during our Easter service came during the dramatization of the crucifixion (and it was so well done – so real). It was difficult to sing without crying when they hung Jesus on the cross, but the moment that truly pierced my heart was when the mob ran in from all directions shouting insults and cursing the One who was giving His life for them and enduring suffering we cannot even begin to fathom. Somehow I saw myself in that crowd – when I am disobedient and rebellious, when I put so many other things before my relationship to Him, when I become complacent and disinterested. I tremble to think that had I lived at that time I might have been one of them. I certainly don’t want to be one of them now. I want to embrace all that He has for me and live my life in a way that demonstrates how very much I love Him and how grateful I am for all He has done for me.

Blessings,