Holy Week

This past week was Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. As a family we did the Family Bible Readings that I posted a link to last week on my blog. The introduction that we read together last Saturday challenged us to fast in some way, shape, or form in preparation for Resurrection Sunday. We talked about fasting and the purpose for it and asked the kids what they thought they should give up and told them what we were being led to give up for the week. We told them they should pray about it some more and we would discuss what God had laid on their hearts to give up on the way to church in the morning.

I gave up the computer. I am a bit of a computer addict and it was something that God was calling me to do so my computer stayed closed (except for for a few minutes for the kids' science lessons and the little girls' math). I was amazed at how little extra time I actually had during the week even though I do spend more time than I should on the computer - how do I get everything done and waste all that time?? I know that in the future I really need to limit my time on the computer more and spend time doing more important things. One thing that I really missed was blogging so I have some thoughts running around in my brain that will hopefully be showing up here soon.

Glenn gave up screen time. He has to check his email for school related stuff so he checked his email 2 times a day but other than that he only used the computer if it was necessary for school work (as it sometimes is) and had no other screen time.

Caleb gave up Wii and Xbox. Hannah and Lydia fasted from candy. I think that it was especially challenging for the girls because around Easter it seems that candy is everywhere. Hannah told me that fasting from candy has taught her to wait.

Abigail didn't pick anything to fast from. Since she has not decided to become a follower of Christ yet we guessed that that was ok because it wouldn't really mean anything to her.

I really enjoyed the Bible readings and it was nice to be able to really focus and try to prepare my heart for Resurrection Sunday through them. I am looking forward to doing it again next year, Lord willing, and seeing how God works in all of our lives more as the time goes on.

Easter is Coming

Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. We sing some of my favorite hymns like: "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," "Hallelujah, What a Savior!" "Up From the Grave He Arose," "He Lives," etc. I have so many memories of early morning services watching the sun rise over Cayuga Lake with my Seneca Community Church family then heading back to church for breakfast and then playing until Sunday School.

It is my favorite holiday because what happened that day about 2000 years ago is what gives me a reason for living - Jesus rose from the dead. He's alive!

With it being my favorite holiday though I don't often prepare for it. I remember when I was in school many of my friends were Catholic and talked about giving up chocolate for Lent. I would be asked what I gave up because they knew that I was religious but I wasn't Catholic and I never gave up anything.

Years later when we lived in Houghton some of my friends gave up stuff for Lent and I decided to try it. I don't remember exactly what I gave up - sweets, eating between meals, something like that. It was a conscious reminder that Easter was coming and I should prepare my heart and it did help me to think about what Christ had done for me more but, with it being food related, I don't know that my motivation was completely pure. I was probably hoping to drop a couple of pounds in the process.

This year as I was thinking about Easter coming and wondering when Ash Wednesday was I wanted to focus our family's attention more on the death and resurrection of Jesus. I searched online and was disappointed. I had found tons of ideas for helping my family get ready for Christmas but few for getting ready for Resurrection Sunday. I did find an idea for a Lenten Tree but I never got around to getting the stuff prepped for it but I would like to do it next year. Last week I found a book called The Very First Easter by Paul Maier at the Manlius Library. I checked it out and read it to the kids. The kids loved the illustrations and it sparked some discussion. Yesterday when I was looking at my blogreader (which I never do, I am so bad at keeping up with blogs, my own and reading others!) I saw a blog about having a purposeful Easter celebration. She recommended a couple of books including the book that we had read from the library, some recipes and a devotional for the week between Palm Sunday and Easter to do with the family. I would recommend that you check it out. We printed the devotional off (it is a pdf) and are planning on doing it as a family starting on Sunday! Would you like to join us? Print it off from the website linked above.

I am so thankful for what Christ did for me. I long for my kids to love Easter like I always have. Do you have any suggestions for making Easter meaningful for your family? I would love to hear about them!