mary why are you crying?

that was the one liner that sasha as an angel had in the easter play they put on today for her church pre-school. they reenacted the story of when mary magdeline comes to the tomb to find the stone rolled away and is distraught that she doesn't know where jesus could be.

we had practiced all week and some times it sounded so sincere and caring: "mary, why are you crying?" and other times like what a dumb &%#(* you are: "MARY-WHY ARE YOU CRYING". it hit me today, i needed to hear the second version. why am i crying inside (and out some days)? it is like i think the problems of my day can't be overcome. god could raise his son from the dead so that power can certainly give me confidence he can handle my piddly issues. nothing like a 3 year old to hit you square in the heart!

celebrating

spring! my kids can play outside, the mountains are coming back to life and there is color popping up everywhere. i am just not a winter gal -- no way you spin it! i am convinced sunshine is good for the soul although i am lamenting the fact that i won't have a sweater to cover my winter butt.

aleksandra's birthday is this week also. 4 years ago this week that sweet thing was left at a police station half way around the world. god saw fit to have in his plans before the beginning of time a spot for her in our family. that just blows me away. she fits perfect here. in all her fiestyness she is a necessary part of our family. she shows me emotions that i know i have never expressed; it is exhausting and exciting. she loves the girly things in life and that makes me smile. she cares for her little brother and begs her sister to be best friends. she prays so openly and passionately and that moves me; even when it is just for her shadow? take a minute this week to thank god for the gift of adoption and pray for the other orphans around the world.

holy week

i am really looking forward to this week. we kicked off the easter season today with palm sunday. they all want to ride on a donkey now with people waving palm fronds at them. we are having a traditional sader/passover dinner at our house for about 15 people and 10 kids. the adults will reenact a traditional passover dinner commemorating how God saves his people from oppression. the kids will participate in a feet washing (each others) as a reminder of jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the last supper to teach about serving one another. the kids start spring break on good friday and then we have a service at the grey eagle music tavern on easter sunday. my parents get back from minneapolis this week so they will be able to join us.

i remember hearing the question "do you live like it is still saturday or does your life celebrate resurrection sunday". i think that is why i am looking forward to this coming week; so i can constantly be reminded we weren't left with the grief of saturday. he did rise and we have much to celebrate and much love and service to do while we remain here.

spring break

i am please to say i am taking spring break this year. i have missed them and while i won't be sipping fruity drinks on the beach like i did in years past, i will be off work. we are taking the kids to knoxville to visit friends and the zoo. our great friends from PVPC the vaughan's are there and the blakeleys who adopted the same time from the same orphanage as we did with tatiana. their daughter is just a couple weeks apart from tatiana in age. it should be a full/fun day. then we have a train ride through the smokey mountains on the little engine that could. the real painted little engine. he travels around the country telling his story and carrying kids on an adventure and he happens to be here that week. it think i can i think i can i think i can...

missio dei

we are at an interesting point in our ministry. the feel of community versus just a sunday group is becoming real and we are seeing people actually experience the vision; not just hear it. we are still desperately in need of more workers for the harvest but it is most important to us that people just belong. they don't have to believe all we do; we just want them to feel loved and valued.

i was encouraged this week as we hosted dinner at our home for kurt, shannon and jeremy and tamara. jeremy works at the rescue mission where michael has been spending some time. they really want to move to downtown asheville and live in a downtown housing project to just love and serve people. they inspired me that this was their vision as they are working to start their own family. they see nothing about the gospel involving their own comfort; rather just a mission to love and serve in the name of jesus. not so people will be converted but just because they want to love and serve. it was a reminder that you never know when you will entertain angels!

friendship

i am preparing a talk for my home mothers of preschoolers group back in florida. i am speaking there in april and am thinking of many of you as i reflect on seasons and friendships that nourished me over the years. i am planning a slide show so send me any digital shots you have of us through the years! please!

HOSANNA!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosanna