Easter 2011

We made our traditional trip to Charlotte, NC to spend the weekend with Jeff's aunt and uncle - Bob and Evelyn. Jeff's parents and brother met us there. Claire made the 8 hour trip one way, very well! She slept a lot and played in her car seat and I think she fussed one time briefly. We make stops every 2 hours I think for diaper changes and wiggle time and things went well. We had a wonderful time visiting with the Carver family. We ate at Maggiano's where you needed to have run about 10 miles before going. It's a neat place to go as a group and eat family style. We went last year and I think it's now a traditional place. Claire made it through the singing of the church service but we had to step out before the sermon because she was so excited about the empty tomb, I think she wanted to tell the story. Personally, it was more work for me this year to focus on the reason for Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I was focused on details of walking through the weekend with an 8 month old and pumping milk in there, etc. But as we sat in church and the organ started, the acolytes carried in the candle and the cross. As they entered the sanctuary, I choked up. I was holding Claire at the time and started whispering in her ear what the candle light meant - Christ is the Living Light of the World. I was telling her about what the cross meant - it symbolizes the Life of Christ. He is not dead! We have a Living Hope that is with us all day, everyday now! As I pondered the hope in Him I have, I long for the day for her to understand it and want to know Christ too. Hoping Easter was special for you and that you ponder the Living Hope we have in Christ. If he had not risen, and was dead like all other prophets and gods, we'd have a dead hope. Not so, my friend...not so! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

Many thanks to Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Bob for hosting all of us again and providing wonderful food (Uncle Bob's fruit salad and Aunt Evelyn's homemade strawberry preserves are some of my favorites!). Thanks for giving Claire her first Easter basket too. She is still playing with her ducky and bunny! You guys are great and we can't wait to see you again soon!