This year might have been my favorite Easter yet. A great day of worship. A houseful of college students. A kitchen full of great food. Sunshine. It was a fabulous day overall.
So here we are, celebrating Gratituesday on Wednesday – mostly because I don’t even know what day it is. If I was feeling energetic and especially clever, I’d wait and post this on Friday, April 1. You know – April Fool’s Day? Gratituesday on Friday…hahaha. Boy, that would have been a good one. {lamest prank ever}
Bare with me here. March tried to kill me. I don’t know when I’ve last had so many huge and wonderful events to take part in all during the same month. Weddings and tournaments and youth events and banquets and meetings and all of the rest of life trying to stay afloat during it all. It has been incredibly enjoyable – but the running!! The month ended with an Easter celebration. How fitting. How perfect. How necessary.
(Technically, the month is ending with a small getaway for Matt and me. We both need it and plan to rest and not talk to people – except each other – for 36 hours. Every time I think about it, I cry. That is how I show excitement right now. This translates to, “Laura needs to get away.” Bless my husband.)
So, Easter. We were on our way home from Kansas City on Saturday after another whirlwind event for our kids. I texted Asa and told him to invite whatever college friends he wanted to join us for Easter. We stopped at the store on the way into town to buy strawberries (because, of course) and white flour rolls (because have I told you about the month I’ve had?) so we could put an easy feast on the table for Easter. I had everything else I needed in the freezer. Sunday we pulled off a grand buffet with little effort (thank you spiral cut ham and frozen vegetables for being there when we needed you).
We ended the meal with a Brownie Sundae Bar, of which I failed to get a picture. Here, take a look at the ham and potato bar again:
Elias had mixed up a Bacon(less) Ranch Hashbrown Casserole before we left for Kansas City.
Asa didn’t hold back on inviting friends. He filled our living room with several from his soccer team, plus some of our adopt-a-students joined us. There were 16 of us altogether. God made this meal practically effortless, and I just sat back and watched the fun while they ate.
Then the Easter Egg Hunt began.
Five of the college guys chose to be the “hiders of the eggs.” We have a big yard (with a lot of junk all around) – making for great hiding places. The other students, plus our younger boys were handed fancy Easter baskets (plastic Walmart bags) and headed out to hunt.
It was ridiculously fun to watch!
While all of the rest of the day had been my favorite so far, then my favorite favorite happened. The students made their way back to the front of our house where they started to visit.
They got the loot out of their eggs…
Then they began kicking a soccer ball around. In the meantime, I sat on the porch in the sunshine watching and taking it all in. My college son. His college friends. My husband and younger sons. In our yard. Hunting/hiding eggs. Talking. Kicking a ball. Laughing. Bliss.
Because of my exhaustion, I had been hesitant to invite anyone to join us this Easter. God gave me the green light, then He provided everything to fill the day with joy. He always knows what we need. He always provides.
And now, hallelujah, He’s provided a little getaway for my hubby and me. Think of me tomorrow while I’m sitting and not moving for many, many hours. (Elias told us we should Vlog our getaway experience. Matt told him it would be hour after hour of “Sitting,” “Still sitting,” “Sitting some more,” “Laying down now,” “Back to sitting,” “Ready to sleep…”) We sure do know how to party.
What is God providing for you right now? No matter if you’re going through the good stuff or the hard stuff, God is providing. Reflect and share!
This does a Momma’s heart good! Loved your Easter celebration and I hope you have a restful getaway!
Just FYI, the coconut oil is unavailable right now
I like how you said: no matter if you are going thru the good or hard, God always provides. Also that you ask us to reflect. I’m enjoying my little children playing and even though i’m tired, i’ll bake a treat for them. Love their sweet spirits. Thanks!
God is providing me with some much-needed time since I’ve been “not needed” two years ago at my teacher’s aide job of 10 years. It’s been emotionally hard, I’ve had two small jobs that lasted a few months each with months of unemployment in between, but I have had TIME.
I’ve been learning to thank God and enjoy the time I have. I’ve been learning to be excited for new beginnings and not fear and try to figure things all out.
Thankfully, He knows and holds my future!
Enjoy your relaxing getaway!
I love this so much for so many reasons. Having dozens of people at my house and in my yard is a dream of mine but also a major stressor to consider, so I usually just…don’t. I know I’m missing out on doing God’s work, but it’s easy to find excuses.
Hope you’re enjoying your break!
At Easter, the church encourages all to rejoice and be happy, for it is believed that this holiday marks the victory of life over death. It is forbidden to be sad, it is necessary to receive guests on the contrary, treat them (by the way, it is necessary to leave part of the Easter dishes in the church after consecration), to give gifts. It must be remembered that Easter is not limited to one day. This holiday lasts for a whole week. In these days you can treat your loved ones and good acquaintances with Easter cakes, eggs and other solemn dishes. If Easter falls on a good spring day, you can go to nature. That what we always do=)