The Significance of Easter

I am realizing how few people really understand why Caleb and I would decide to have a quick engagement, so that we could get married on Easter morning.  To me, there could have been nothing more beautiful, nothing more symbolic, than partaking in communion, celebrating what Jesus did for us as we started our life together. 

I think that is because I am realizing how few people understand the importance and significance of what Easter really means.  But to me, there could not be a more significant or important holiday.  Easter, in my eyes, is the holiday of all holidays here on earth.

It is because of what Easter symbolizes that gives me all that I hope in.

To many people, Easter is a day that we get dressed up and go to church.  Some of us, when we were little, had little girly bonnets we would wear, or even gloves!  Some know it is a day that many go to church and that it celebrates Jesus raising from the dead.  But for many it ends there, leaving many questions unanswered.

So, as Easter approaches again this year, I am stopping and contemplating once again all it means to me....and in reality it brings me to joyful, thankful tears.  Because, as I just said, Easter symbolizes what all my hope is invested in.

Jesus, God Himself, became man.  I cannot even comprehend that concept.  Throughout all of history, man was reaching and striving as he tried to earn his way to God.  But it took God coming down to us, for us to have perfect relationship with Him.  It's all about Him, and not about what we have done.

And He died.  For me.

Many of us have seen the movie called "The Passion of the Christ."  I remember the first time I saw it being struck by the scene in the garden.  Jesus was in agony, knowing that He was going to die and take on the sins of mankind.  My sins.  And it was during that point that Jesus Himself, who had never sinned, took on the sins and punishment of the world.  For all of time, all of mankind has feared the wrath of God.  And Jesus not only suffered physical harm, but He took on the wrath of God, which is even more terrifying.  He took on mankind's biggest fear on Himself.   I just can't comprehend that.

And it was all because He loves me.

But Jesus did not stay dead.  Just as prophesied, on the third day He conquered death by raising from the dead, the punishment for my sin complete.  Scripture says that the wages of sin is death.  But it also says the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death, providing a way for me to never have to face spiritual death and separation from God for eternity. 

Which brings me to what Easter symbolizes to me this year.  Resurrection.  My mom's gravestone says "Born Twice, Died Once."  Sure her body may have died many years ago, but her soul never died.  She went from this life, into the next.  And she is in the presence of Jesus Himself, who rose from the dead many many years ago.  This Easter, I am thankful for the hope of eternal life, in Heaven, with those I have loved because Jesus died and rose again.

In rising again, Jesus shows me that he is the Ressurector.  He brings to life the things that are dead.  I think of many of my friends who have broken marriages and relationships.  Or things in their hears that have just died.  God can breathe life into those things.  And that gives us hope.  It gives us a deep hope that is beyond ourselves, and beyond our control over things.  He works behind the scenes of our life, bringing life, when we let Him.

I know that earlier this year, I laid in bed, overwhelmed by the struggles we were facing.  I remember thinking, "I never expected to have so many health problems and fears my first year of marriage."  But then as I laid there praying I realized "Why not?"  We live in a fallen world.  And in all of this life, there will be blessings and there will be trials...and most of the time they will probably be simultaneous.  It is only in Heaven than the effects of sin in this world will be done away with.  (ie, sickness, disease, broken relationships, death, etc.)  And it is because Jesus rose from the dead that we are provided a way to live eternally, free from the consequences of sin, through faith in Him!

And because He rose again, I know He is alive in Heaven.  And He promised to come back and take me with Him.  I am going to leave this broken, sin-filled world and go spend eternity with JESUS!  Ahhh!! That is just so amazing!  The One I have been talking to as I pray, and Who has been been my side all these years, I am going to see face-to-face!  And His resurrection proves that!

And guess what we will do when we see Him?!  Have a wedding!  :)  There is a wedding feast in the works, in Heaven, that is awaiting us!  All of life points to that day.  And my life here on earth is just temporary.  Heaven is eternal.  And we could have thought of nothing more appropriate than that to remember these truths, as Caleb and I started our marriage.  Jesus is our main love.  We each have second place. 

Lastly, there is a song that I have been listening to on repeat for the week.  It is officially my Easter song of 2011.  It is by a group called Casting Crowns, and it is called "Glorious Day."  I pray this year I cling to the truth of these words.

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

I Won't Let Go

The other day, Caleb and I were in the car, and a song came on the radio that resonated with me a lot.  This is because the words have actually been so real in our life these last number of months, as we have experienced being supported and loved on by many in our life.  And in the end, one of the many lessons I have learned, that many of you have heard me say is, "We all need each other."  At some point or another, we need others to help us along.  These last six months was that time for us. 

It was at our lowest point, when Caleb's condition was getting beyond scary, and we didn't see an end in sight.  To be honest, I didn't know how we would do it emotionally, financially, or physically if it went on too much longer.  We didn't know if it would be weeks or even years.  But during that time, the thing that spoke to my heart the most was a couple of comments made by some dear friends.  First, after a prayer time over Caleb and I at church, my friend Cammie hugged me and said, "You are not alone."  Tears just streamed down my cheeks and and I couldn't talk because it meant so much.  Literally the next day, my friend Sheila dropped by my work with a gift and a card that said only four words,  "You are not alone."  Again, tears.  And later Cammie's husband, Zach, would tell us, "This is just the beginning."  He told us that if it continued, for an indefinite amount of time, they were there.  There are no words to express what those comments mean, when you are so helpless and know that you literally can't do it on your own.

In the end, I am convinced that the words of this song should be a theme song of the Church. 

I WON'T LET GO

It's like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost on your own,
You're not alone

I will stand by you,
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
and you can't cope
I will dry your eyes,
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
and I won't let go

It hurts my heart to see you cry
I know its dark this part of life
Oh it find us all and we're too small
to stop the rain
Oh but when it rains

I will stand by you,
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
and you can't cope
I will dry your eyes,
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
and I won't let you fall

Don't be afraid to fall
I'm right here to catch you
I won't let you down
It won't get you down
You're gonna make it
I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you,
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
and you can't cope
I will dry your eyes,
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
and I won't let go

Oh I'm gonna hold you
and I won't let go
Won't let you go
No I won't

[Sang by Rascal Flatts]

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Today is the day of Caleb! :)  Its his birthday....actually he thinks it is the month of Caleb!  Earlier this week he said that April starts with April Fools Day (joke day) and ends with the NFL draft.  So, in other words, he loves April.  Plus, his birthday is the day after our anniversary, so he will never forget it. 

Anyways...today is the big day!  So in honor of my husband, who is like a little boy in a big boy's body, I decided to make his his very own Star Wars pancakes.  You see, a few months ago, I found these Star Wars pancake molds at Williams Sonoma and got them for a special day.  Caleb loves Star Wars...and his favorite meal (besides cereal, haha) is pancakes and eggs.  I thought it was brilliant.....until I actually attempted it today... :)  I have pictures to show my journey of failure...!!!!

I got all my supplies out and was ready to go.  I even mixed up a new gluten-free pancake recipe.  I was excited and started pouring.  It seemed so neat there on the griddle....

Until I started trying to remove the mold and flip the pancake....As you can see, I ended up having to try again.

And again and again......still didn't work.

In the end, we had one big pile of pieces of pancake.  hahahaha! :)  Caleb said it looked like the Storm Troopers after the Death Star exploded.  Poor birthday boy....this was his special birthday meal!  hahaha!

 

In the end, he still ate it up, and he still told me how wonderful it tasted.  That guy seriously never complains.  I love it!  Plus, he really can't talk because I just messed up some pancakes.  Last year on his birthday (less than 24 hours after we had been married) he lost his expensive wedding ring in the ocean while spearfishing.  Oh the memories!  

It has been such a great year....and I am just so blessed that the man who I married is perfect for me.  He keeps me laughing and has taught me to enjoy life.  He is consistent in his walk with God.  And he is simply handsome.  And he loves me!!! I am so so so so happy. 

I just hope his year turns out better than the pancakes! hahaha!

Our Very Own Personal Family Holiday

Today marks our first anniversary as husband and wife! Or, as Caleb called it today, "our very own personal family holiday!" :)

I feel like we have been celebrating for two days now.  My friend Kristi hooked us up with a room at the beach.  But first, we decided to wait to leave town until after church....we didn't want to miss hanging out with everybody there, since our church family has been such a part of our lives this last year!  After church, we packed up the car and headed to Seaside for the night.  Before we got to the condo, we went into Canyon Beach and hung out at Ecola Viewpoint.  The sun kept trying to peak out from the clouds, and miraculously there we no rain....

By the time we got to the condo, we were actually pretty tired so we decided to just hang out, make dinner, and play games.  Since we have Caleb on a gluten-free diet, and the place were staying had a full kitchen, I made dinner for us there.  It was a super chill and relaxing time.

After dinner, we had a special treat made for us by my amazingly talented friend, Vicki.  She made us a special anniversary cake to bring with us...and it was even gluten-free! :) It was so cute we didn't want to cut into it at first! ha!  But, wow, it was amazing...definitely didn't taste like it was missing any gluten!

After just relaxing more this morning, we headed back into town.  I made us an early dinner (a recipe that Vicki gave me) that was my favorite gluten-free meal yet!  Chicken Pot Pie Casserole!  Yummmmm.... :)  And I also made gluten-free peanut butter cookies (recipe from the kitchen of my friend Becca)!  And I took advantage of it being our anniversary to get Caleb to watch a chick flick with me. :)

So tonight we will continue with our game marathon.  We are so thankful that Sheila (Caleb's mom) has sent us a couple games in the last month....she has stocked us up with entertainment for a while now! :)

 

All to say, we are pretty rested! And we are so thankful.  :)  

Even with all the challenges we have faced this year, we are more happy than ever!  But we are fully aware that marriage is not only about happiness....but its really about serving one another.  Today marks a year that we were faithful to the promises we made only a year ago.  It is the hard times that make the promises so special, and important, and bring depth and meaning to our marriage. 

Our hope and prayer is that this is the first of many, many, many anniversaries to come.........

My new hobby...which is "sew" fun! :)

I remember sitting at my mom's old sewing machine when I was young.  I made stuffed animals mainly...however, I do remember making a simply grey sweatshirt for my Home Economics class.  Since then, I have never touched a sewing machine.....until today!

About a month ago, my friend Crystal and I were trying to figure out when to hang out....and sadly realized that, with the busyness of our schedules, we needed to put something on the the books for weeks out.  But, oh it was SO worth the wait!  Today she taught me how to sew, after years of zero practice! I didn't even remember how to thread the machine!

So the conclusions I have come to today are: 1. Crystal and I need to hang out way more often!! :)  2.  I totally want to become an expert seamstress and I love sewing and being creative!! :)

After she took me to her favorite fabric store on the eastside of Portland, we went to her apartment and got right to work!  She was super patient with me and the perfect teacher. 

my new-to-me sewing machine

In the end, I now have my first "real" sewing project (since I am not including my childhood attempts).  So now presenting, my apron! :)

All to say....I am already dreaming of other projects I want to tackle.  And, of course, making an apron hanger for my kitchen....