Easter Pretties

{I just realized I never did an Easter post. Wow. Talk about really late!}

This year's Easter was low-key. We went home to be with our family for a short weekend.

I decided not to take our big camera, so I took a few snapshots on my phone instead.

A few days beforehand, Matt and I went to our first ever Messianic Seder meal at our brother & sister in law's church. It was lovely evening to remember Passover.

"to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His grace and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1: 5-6

Easter Love

[Yeah..... these are quite late]

We had quite a nice Easter at home with both of our families together. Our home group from church also came over and we had a large potluck meal. Here are some pictures from the lovely day :)

Tulips- my fav

Grandma & Grandpa H with Mark & Sandy

 

Matt and I

New life

Lucy likes to take over the doghouse

"B" family 

The Pepin family

Boomer pup

Loved making these Peep and jellybeans centerpieces

                                                                             

My siblings

Mini-Break

Matt had to travel to SC for some recruiting at his alma mater in April. We were given the opportunity to take advantage of this by staying downtown at the Inn at USC.
It was SO nice to have a little break before the Easter weekend began. The hotel is located right on campus and is run by students in the business school. If you ever get the chance to visit Columbia, I recommend checking out the Inn :)

[photos taken from my phone]

 

Here is a short description of the Inn taken from their website:

"The Inn at USC is located in the heart of the University of South Carolina's campus. Our 117-room boutique hotel blends historic splendor with contemporary comforts and amenities. Standing as the welcome center to our South Carolina University hotel is the Black House, a lovingly restored home built in 1910 (which functions as its lobby). Immerse yourself in the history and heritage of the great American South at the Inn at USC. The Inn at USC, along with the Black House, opened its doors in June 2005. In 2006, the renovated house received an award for adaptive re-use by the Historic Columbia Foundation and serves as the welcoming point for guests of the Inn at USC."

Dinner with Allison @ Yo Burrito - i LOVE their Veggie Santa Fe (mmmm!)

We really enjoyed staying there. We previously had the privilege of staying there before on our wedding night, but we didn't have time to enjoy the hotel because we had to leave around 4:30am to make our flight to Mexico! This time around we stayed for two nights and were able to take advantage of their hot breakfasts, library, and being close to downtown.

[source]

What is Easter?

Please take some time to read through this link below:

Figuring out the Cross-Centered Life by Ann Voskamp

have you read it yet?











After subscribing to A Holy Experience about a month or two ago, I had just been briefly reading or perusing through each post. They seemed so long and I didn't have the "time".

The past few days have been very stressful. My mind and heart have been in turmoil and I craved the time to spend in reflection and prayer. I hadn't set aside any time since the past Saturday. But, what did I do?
Instead, I turned on the television and opened my computer to check my email and look at my Reader for new blog posts.....

as I scrolled down, I came across this post.
And I read it.

and I cried.
I mean tears flowing down, throat closing up, CRIED.
I cried for the truth of it all, the hope and love that I have for my brother.....For my family. For my husband. For my friends. For the nation. For the world.....For what?

To know the Saviour of the Universe in a personal loving relationship. With this Sunday being Easter, I am reminded of that time so long ago when I was baptized as a profession of my faith. In a swimming pool at the age of 8, I shared the reason I had come to belong to Christ.

"That for a Christian, identity isn't so much about figuring out who he is---- but accepting Whose he is.


That Christians are the walking dead, fully-- and only-- ALIVE in Christ.


For that is what the Easter people really are: Rotting cadavers to the flesh, resurrected Christs in the faith"


And reading that brought me back to the sacred beauty of Christ's death and resurrection. The reason why we celebrate Easter.

Winter is for the birds!

With the weather reaching into the high 60's this past week (today is 76)
......I am ready for Spring!!!
I love turning the air off and opening the windows, sitting out on the porch, taking a nice evening stroll, and wearing short sleeves. However, I know that it will get cold again like it always does. I don't mean to be "debbie downer", but it's not even March yet!  I'll just be praying for an early Spring! :)

I just wanted to share a little project that I just (literally) finished working on!!

It's a funky wreath for the front door with a separate sign to hang behind it. I won't make a tutorial for it because it's truly easy. I just took scraps of fabric and ribbon and went to town. It's really kitschy and colorful. I found a little bird house stake (Target One spot) that I added too.

The hanging sign was from the Dollar Store. I used scrapbook paper, Spray Adhesive, stamps,  flower rub-ons, & glitter.
One side says "Happy Spring" and the other side "Happy Easter" in different stamp designs.

i love Martha Stewart glitter

Lucy enjoying the nice weather :)

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