Easter story ideas

So, I need some help.  I am responsible for the story at our church Easter egg hunt next weekend.  I want to find something that has some visual aids and will capture the attention of the children.  It can't be too long since we will have some pretty young kids there.  I have seen the Resurrection Egg lesson, and right now, that's what I'm leaning toward.  But, I am still looking for other ideas! 

Thankful

I have so many things to be thankful for in life, but today I am especially thankful for weekends!  I get to spend a weekend with no major plans and a house full of kids.  There is not much better in life than the sounds of laughter and giggles from happy girls.  I love that my girls love to be at home and are comfortable inviting their friends over.  I'm thankful for happy, healthy girls and a fabulous husband.  Despite life's trials, life is good.

As I was having a test run yesterday at the clinic in Texarkana, the technician (Brandi) and I were talking.  She was super sweet, and I felt like I had known her for years.  We started talking about keeping life in perspective.  She recently lost her grandfather and has really struggled with that loss.  But, she said that as she starts to feel really down, she is often reminded that there are certainly those in worse situations in life.  We all know people or know OF people who are in dire need of healing and prayers.  That reminder was good for me.  I was a little anxious about that test and some other circumstances in my life, but I was reminded that I have so many things to be thankful for....family, friends, health, food, clothing, shelter, and so many more. 

So, today I choose to thank the Lord for weekends full of little girls :)  Now THAT makes my heart sing!

Trials

First off.....yesterdays oncology appointment went fine.  He never has the blood test results when I see him, so he always says he'll call if there is a problem.  So, no news is good news. 

Anna's knee is healing well.  She gets her stitches out this Friday, and she is so ready.  She wants to get on the trampoline!

The Children's Choir sang in church Sunday night, and they blessed my heart.  I love to see them praising the Lord, and they do it with such confidence.  They don't seem to doubt like we adults do from time to time. 

Here is my issue for the day (pretty sad that I seem to have a new "issue" each day)!  I have a dear friend who is facing some trials in her life right now.  She is a very private person, so I will not divulge any details to respect her privacy.  But, I have found myself really struggling alongside her.  I KNOW that God has a plan for her life.  I find myself, however, begging God to make that plan the one that would be most comfortable for all of us.  Some of the possibilities she is facing are not good at all, and that breaks my heart. I want her to be ok.  No, I NEED her to be ok.  I know that is selfish, because that is thinking of what "I" need.  I want to be able to reassure her that things will be ok, but I don't have that knowledge or confidence.  This situation is not one that I can fix or make better for her.  All I can do is pray. While I know that is the most powerful thing that I can do, it leaves me feeling pretty powerless for some reason today.

As I sit here writing, a song is playing in my mind.  The song reminds me of a time in high school when life was not so great for my family.  A man named Benny Johnson in LR would come to our church from time to time and would sing this.  It soothed my soul back then, and it still does to this day.  When this song plays in my mind, I hear Benny singing it :)

So, I will leave you with the words to "His Eye is on the Sparrow".  God loves my friend, her family, and me as if we were the tiniest sparrow.  He has a PERFECT plan!

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for Heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
A constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches over me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches (I know he watches)
(I know he watches me)

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me (He watches me)
He watches me (I know he watches me)

"Let not your heart be troubled,"
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
From care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me.

Stitches

Well, we made it almost 10 years with kids before our first set of stitches!  Our 2nd grader fell on the playground yesterday and required 2 stitches in her knee.  She was understandably scared to death, but once she figured out that it was going to be ok, she was a really big girl.  Of course, she is milking it for all the attention she can possibly get!

Here's my deal with the whole situation though.  I first called the dr office to let them know we were coming even before I picked her up at school.  The clinic asked what kind of insurance she has, and they then recommended taking her to the ER.  Well, that made me mad so we went to the clinic anyway.  We were seen by a fabulous dr and nurse who took amazing care of her.  But, what it left me wondering was what they would have said if I had provided a different answer to the insurance question.  What difference did my insurance make?  Either the clinic had someone to take care of her or they didn't....insurance shouldn't have made a difference.  It just really bugs me because taking care of an injured, scared 8 year old should have been the issue rather than insurance.  Now, I clearly have an opinion because my baby was the one needing treatment so maybe I'm not being objective.  Just venting now.....

In the end, all that matters is that she is ok.  It could have been much worse than just a knee, so I am counting our blessings!

Creativity

No one has ever accused me of being exceptionally creative.  I am not really crafty or artistic.  But, I do have that creative part of me that craves to find an outlet.  I have been working on details for New Student Orientation, and I would love to create an amazing t-shirt.  We have a current design, but I think we could do MORE.  I also long to find ways to really engage the students at orientation rather than lecture them.  While I realize the importance of what they are hearing, I don't think they do.  I think they tune it all out.  So, I'm brainstorming ways to engage them from the moment they walk in the door and to keep their attention throughout the process while still providing them information.  I guess I want it ALL!  Any ideas?

TGIM--Thanking God It's Monday

How often do we really say that??  "Thank God It's Monday!"  While I'm exhausted and am really fighting allergies, I'm thankful to see another week.  I'm thankful that the Lord has plans for me today....even though it's Monday. 

The mission team from church came home from Ecuador this weekend, and they shared in church last night.  Their stories have really weighed on my heart.  They reminded me that I have so much to be thankful for, and I know who deserves the praise.  So, I'm thanking God for Monday....in all it's glory!

TGIT (Thank God It's Thursday)

I am truly thanking the Lord that it is Thursday. Since we are working four 10hr days this week, I will be off on Friday.  While that is great to have a short week and spend less on gas, it makes those days that much longer.  They are proposing moving to that schedule all the time to save money, and I see where that makes sense since we only work half days on Friday.  But, that would really make things hard for us in the mornings.  I would have to leave by 6:40 to get to work on time, which would leave me in a jam with my girls.  We do that in the summer, and it gets old in a hurry.  We may end up having to look at being bus riders in the mornings, and I know two little girls who WON'T like that!  Even that isn't a solution....I would still leave before the bus comes :(  Not sure what we'll do.

I am really ready to go home and spend an evening with my family.  One of the girls already has plans to spend the night with a friend, but I just need time to rest.  I have a TON of work to do at home (cleaning, laundry, etc.), but most of that will just have to wait until tomorrow.

I really think the Lord is pushing me out of my comfort zone.  I know that the best way to make God laugh is to make plans of what "I'M" going to do.  Right now, there is so much in my life that is turned upside (or so it feels).  He is the one consistent in my life, and I am so thankful for Him.  He is preparing my life for greater things to come....I keep reminding myself of that to fight the anxiety and fear of the unknowns.

I am preparing to go back to the oncologist in April.  Usually, that overwelms my thought process as the weeks close in on a visit, but I have not been so focused on it lately. Perhaps I have a been a bit preoccupied ;)  But, I am developing the typical anxiety I feel when I'm preparing to go.  I think that's ok though.  I don't ever want to become so complacent that I am not vigilant in this fight.  I do have some questions regarding these meds that I really don't like, so maybe we will get to address those. 

I have been fighting a sore throat, stuffy head, and ear aches this week.  It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the pollen that looks like a dust storm when the wind blows! lol  Hoping to sleep good tonight and get some new meds tomorrow for this!!!