Resurrection Cookies

Last year our local newspaper printed the following recipe for Resurrection cookies (yes, it's a small town and yes, we love that very much!).

The kids and I made them Saturday night so they were ready Easter morning. It was great to have such a practical visual to share the story of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

It is important to follow the recipe carefully and make sure you read all of the Scriptures together. It makes for a rich and meaningful time of reflection and appreciation.

For this recipe you will need:

1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
The Bible

Preheat Oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait till you're halfway done with the recipe!).

Place pecans in zipper baggie. Let children beat them with the wooden spoon so they break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Pour into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us, He wants us to know that and He wants us to love Him as well. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts and drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Sunday morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On Resurrection morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Happy Birthday Siggy G

Precious girl, you are two years old today.

I am finding words inadequate in wanting to share all that you mean to us. A year ago next week, we almost lost you. God has used you to show us that we cannot take a single moment for granted. That in a heartbeat everything can change.

From the very beginning you let us know that you would not be boxed in. I was due to be induced at 10:30 am on April 6, 2007. As I was mopping the floor around seven, attempting to get the house in top shape before leaving for the hospital, I began cramping. After a few minutes, I woke Daddy up and suggested that maybe he should time the cramps while I was in the shower. He stood in the bathroom, saying "three minutes, three minutes, three minutes..."

We packed up your brothers and your sister and hit the road a little earlier than planned and by the time we were halfway to the hospital I knew you were on your way. You made your entrance forty minutes after we walked through the door. At 10:35. A mere five minutes after the doctor had planned to get my labor started. Your own way. Your own timing. How crazy were we to think that we were in control.

And it's been that way ever since. As we've battled your seizure disorder this past year, we've learned so much. We've come to understand that even when life doesn't pan out exactly as planned, it can be rich and full and beyond imagination. By example, you've taught us that circumstances don't have to get you down. And that when you fall, it doesn't always hurt as much as you think it should; just get up and keep on going. You've shown us that a diagnosis means nothing, it's the heart that counts.

Through you, God has reminded us that He is in charge. That He is the giver of life. That He makes all things beautiful. And you are beautiful, Sigourney. You bring so much joy and happiness to our home. Your zest for life is contagious. Your laughter is deep and heartfelt. Your passion is endless.

We love you, precious girl. We thank God for you. We praise Him and know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. We can't imagine life without you and are so, so thankful He chose to let us keep you.

God bless you, Baby, today and always.

Quote of the Week

It is true ... there are excellent truths in [other writings], but yet they are far short of [the Scriptures]. Those may comfort against outward trouble, but not against inward fears; they may rejoice the mind, but cannot quiet the conscience; they may kindle some flashy sparkles of joy, but they cannot warm the soul with a lasting fire of solid consolations.

Charles Spurgeon

We Did It! Wednesday

Becky at Holiday in the Sun is the fabulous host of "We Did It! Wednesday." "We Did It! Wednesday" is all about quality one-on-one time with our children and grandchildren, and sharing ideas of fun things to do together!! You can click on over to Becky and see what others are doing to pick up a few ideas.

A friend of mine recently took her children to their local Children's Museum, which sparked a memory that we hadn't visited ours in a very long time. It moved to it's new, larger location last fall, so everything old seemed new again.

AJ explains the law of gravity to his younger siblings...

And masters the climbing wall in no time flat...

Avery is the creative genius of the family and was in her element with the arts and crafts...

Aiden loved painting too...

Sigourney just ran from one station to the next, to the next, overwhelmed by all the fun activities!

"Is there gluten in any of these items I've selected? Mommy will make me put them back if there is!..."

And who lets their daughter out in public with this much eye make-up anyway?

Washington State beaches are wonderful for driftwood and skipping rocks, but nice sand is a rarity. This is a real treat...

Even Lydia got in on the action (wearing her new favorite outfit from a little girl we love who lives very far away).

"Look at all this cool stuff for babies just learning to sit up...and can you tell I'm still working on those bottom teeth?"

I'm not great with inviting messes into the house, so this was a wonderful opportunity for painting and crafting especially. Their ideas, their supplies, their mess, it's a beautiful thing! And because we homeschool, we were able to go on a weekday morning and practically had the place to ourselves.

Yearly memberships are a bargain for families the size of ours -- it's almost as reasonable to go for a year as it is to go once when you calculate the per visit cost per-person. We upgraded to an annual pass so we can go back again and again. The kids gleefully shared the details of their morning with Daddy when he got home from work and said, "Dad, we can go anytime we want because now it's free!"

Next lesson: economics.

Quote of the Week

I'm so thankful that a very special friend (who sometimes fears she has a rampant ego, so I want to make sure she is properly noted) helped me understand this on an even deeper level this past week. What blessing; what freedom. I picked it as the quote of the week for both of us.

Our present enjoyment of God's grace is apt to be checked by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them in order to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. God reminds us of the past lest we get into a shallow security in the present.

Oswald Chambers

How Old Am I?

Sigourney had her hair cut today. After we got home from the salon, I wanted to take a picture. My precious fourth child DID NOT want to pose for the standard "cheese." She is having a birthday next month; can you guess how old she will be?

Some say it starts with 'Terrible"...

We don't believe in the 'Terribles,' but moments like these suggest why many do...

Of course, she had no objection to posing when she looked like this (we're all for color coordination around here, check out the matching eye hue)...

Because, after all, she wanted to demonstrate how eating a PB&J rice cake is really done...

The mommy of this soon-to-be whatever-year-old, was reminded that she should be careful when making a quick run for the bathroom while said child is eating lunch. Mommy might come back to find something that looks like this (who really likes rice cakes anyway? Fingers work just fine thankyouverymuch)...

But the hair is cute.

Quote of the Week

Afflictions, though they seem severe, in mercy oft are sent.

Charles Spurgeon