He is Risen!! Easter 2007 !!

So today is the day after Easter. We had a lovely Easter weekend. It really all started on Maundy Thursday with the Seder Meal at church. This year our son went with us and was a part of the meal. I was a little concerned that he wouldn't be able to sit through it with quietness and reverence (not in a 4-year old's vocabulary!). However, I was quite impressed with how involved he got in the meal itself. It was a great teaching time for him and I think that's part of what it was traditionally meant to be about.
Then came Good Friday. We had a Tenebre service, which is a somber service of darkness. After that a progressive stations of the cross with the youth group. We had the Last Supper and ate a meal, went to a beautiful garden in town and realized that Jesus prayed for all believers (I wonder if He actually uttered my name?), went to City Hall and a courtroom to hear about Jesus was tried and convicted, and then wound up in front of a cross holding a crown of thorns and three huge rusty nails. It was really a moving experience, I think, for all involved, but especially for me.
Saturday we had an Easter Egg hunt at church. Then I got to spend some time with my mom while the hubby...aka my southern knight (as in shinning armor) stayed home with Big Red (our son) for daddy and son time. Mom had been diagnosed earlier in the year with thyroid cancer and had a total thyroidectomy. She has had a rough road, but is bouncing back wonderfully, albeit slowly. I was excited to get to spend some time with her. She came and stayed a few days with us.
So Easter morning began early. Big Red was sick and had my mom stayed home with him. Southern knight and myself went to the youth-led sunrise service at our church. They did an amazing job and I was so proud of them. We stayed for the next two services at the church (I am a staff member, so it's what I do) and then back home to make dinner. My dad came and we ate a big meal and hid more Easter eggs for Big Red to find. All in all it was a great day, even though Big Red was sick and my brother and sister weren't able to come.
The very best part is knowing that Christ, our Savior and Lord, is risen and alive!

Paige