The Most Important Day EVER!

We are currently in one of the most important weeks of the year. The one that includes the day when we celebrate the most important day and event known to mankind. I am talking about Easter.

Easter is so much more than magical bunnies, colorful plastic Easter eggs, marshmallow chicks, jelly beans, and fancy dresses and hats. Also known as Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday highlights and celebrates the day that Jesus defeated death, rose from the grave, and gave us all a new hope and life in Him. I'd like to see and Easter basket that trumps that!

Holy Week, or Passion Week, is when we have the chance to relive the days leading up to this. Every time I hear or read the accounts of this week I get chills. It's like I'm seeing or hearing about it for the first time. The deceit and betrayal that Jesus felt from some of his closest friends, the walk up to Calvary, the unimaginable death that Christ endured on the cross FOR US, The burial and of course the resurrection from the grave on the third day. All of this happened because God loved us so much. He sent His Son, who was without sin, to die for our sins, even the ones we have yet to commit. Each and every one of them are covered, paid for, in full. Because He lived and died and lived again we can face each day with hope. We can live and believe in the promises that were made to us. Christ will come again.

We are currently in one of the most important weeks of the year. The one that includes the day when we celebrate the most important day and event known to mankind. The one that changed the world forever. I am talking about His Story, Easter.

Easter is so much more than magical bunnies, colorful plastic Easter eggs, marshmallow chicks, jelly beans, and fancy dresses and hats. Also known as Resurrection Sunday, Easter remembers and celebrates the day that Jesus defeated death, rose from the grave, and gave us all a new hope and life in Him.

Holy Week, or Passion Week, is when we have the chance to relive the days leading up to this. Every time I hear or read the accounts of this week I get chills. It's like I'm seeing or hearing about it for the first time. I'm filled with so much emotion as I try to imagine what Jesus must have been feeling that week. Despised and rejected by men. The deceit and betrayal that Jesus felt from Judas, whose love of money took him far from his walk with Christ. The disappointment he must have felt when Peter denied him not once, not twice, but three times. Was he scared when he went off to pray in Gethsemane, asking God to remove the cup from him? The weakness and pain he maybe felt as he prayed for strength to endure what was to come. His humbled obedience as he went to Calvary knowing that there simply was no other way. The unimaginable, painful, and agonizing death that Christ endured on the cross FOR US. The mourning and sadness of Jesus' followers at his burial and of course the unexplainable joy that came at knowledge that the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen from the grave on the third day. What a rollercoaster.

This was all part of the plan for salvation. God loved us so much that He sent His Son, who was without sin, to die for our sins. Even the ones we have yet to commit. Each and every one of them are covered, paid for, in full by the blood that was shed on the cross. I'm so thankful that Jesus who was in human form after all, was obedient to God's will. I'm thankful that he succeeded, with God's help.

Let us take some time this week to remember the hope that can be found through a life with Christ. A life of joy that can be found in every season. Knowing that the light will always shine again even after the darkest days. Because He lives we can face each tomorrow head on with a new confidence. We can know that every battle we will face has already been won for us.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends, even when they have forsaken him.

Hallelujah!

Things About Spring

I know that the official start of Spring is still a few days away but I can't help but feel giddy with all of the changes that come as we say so long to Winter. Here in Eastern North Carolina it's hard to miss some of the signs that Spring is in the air.

Here are some tell tale signs that Spring is close to being sprung:

• The birds are chirpier that ever. The worms better get to hiding.
• 

  Flowers and plants are beginning to blossom and my green thumb is itching to get dirty. I'm thinking of trying to grow a few veggies this year.
• The temperature has been consistently warmer. The humidity also made no delay in returning. See ya later straight hair.
• The grass is starting to turn green. I will soon lose my husband to yardwork 1-2 times a week. I'm glad he enjoys that stuff though ;)
  
• Bees have been buzzing around.
• Frogs have been splashing around in the ditches. Our ditch has been sitting with water in it for weeks now. Two thoughts on that: 1. I hope the mosquitos stay away 2. I'm not sure how many April showers the already super saturated ground can take.
• Snakes! I've seen quite a few baby snaked that didn't make it across the road quick enough. I've also seen a few slithering around. I know not all snakes are poisonous and are eve beneficial to the eco system. However, in my opinion, "The only good snake is a dead snake."
• Those beautiful and super fragrant Bradford Pear Trees are blooming. You know, the ones that smell like fish rotting in the hot sun on top of a pile of garbage at the town dump.
• The clocks have been turned ahead and we have more daylight now!
• Yellow pollen is on all the things. Cue itchy eyes and scratchy throats.
• My hammock is back up in the yard.
• I've worn shorts and it's hard to tell which is more blinding, staring at the sun or glancing at my pale legs.
• New, fresh colors are on display at the local retail stores, showcasing their new Spring fashion. (Sorry in advance to my bank account.)
• Strawberry picking is nearing which means blueberries are getting closer too!
• The ice cream truck tunes (although a sketchy vehicle) have been heard cruising down my road. I'm ready for the Kona Ice truck and it's calypso music.

And of one my favorites:

Easter is almost here!!!!

A Wak to Remember

It was a year ago today that I met the love of my life for the very first time. It was a Sunday afternoon. We had first started texting each other two days prior. Nonstop texting. We used that time to ask one another a lot of "getting to know you" questions. He had asked if he could take me out that weekend but I declined and suggested maybe next weekend. Lilo was having a Lyme Disease flare-up and had recently been prescribed some medication to help with the pain and weakness. Being the worried dog mom I am, I made the choice to stay home with her all weekend so that I could monitor her and get extra puppy cuddles. I'll be perfectly honest, I was kind of glad to have a good reason to say no and stay home. It was nothing against Mark, he seemed like a normal and nice guy from what I could tell, but I was tired of going on dates that seemed to be dead ends. I was strongly considering taking a break from online dating at that point before responding to that one last email. 

Union Point Park, New Bern, NC 3/15/15

Sunday morning rolled around and I thought I'd have the week to figure out what I would do. At some point during church that morning I had the overwhelming feeling that I just needed to meet this man and stop putting off what I was predicting to be the inevitable. Once church was over I sent him a text inviting him to meet me downtown for a walk. As I waited for his response, part of me hoped it would be too last minute for him but then I found myself feeling disappointed at the thought of him saying no. Thankfully, he said yes.

A few hours later, Lilo (who was feeling much better) and I met Mark, who had driven an hour to see me,  at Union Point Park. We walked all around downtown and historic New Bern that afternoon. Conversation came easy, like we had been friends for years. After our walk we sat on a bench at the park and talked some more. We easily spent 2 hours together and I was kind of sad that it was coming to an end. When it was time to go we hugged and went on our separate ways. A while later he would  tell me that on his way home he called one of his best friends to tell him about me and told him that he was going to marry me. I can't say that I knew that early on but I knew there was something different about this one. I remember telling a friend at work the next day that I was smiling big the whole way home. It sure was a walk to remember!

This was our very first picture taken together about a week after we met. We were at the Unspoken concert here in

New Bern. Mark likes to remind me that he kept trying to hold my hand that night but I was acting too shy, nervous, or maybe was just unsure. I eventually did hold his hand though ;)

"Have enough courage to trust love one more time.
And always one more time."
Maya Angelou

I Vote for Jesus

Raise your hand if you are ready for election season to be over (both hands raised here!) I have never been into or followed politics and I am totally ok with that. Let's be clear. I do educate myself on the facts the best that I can and I do vote. You should vote too!

Not liking politics is not because I don't think they are important but more because it brings out the ugly in a lot of people. Social media is bombarded with people expressing their opinions, convincing people to vote or not vote for a particular candidate, and a whole lot of negativity. Debates are full of candidates making promises that they probably can't even keep. My thoughts keep going back to cheesy 90's sitcoms where a kid is running for class president and promises his fellow students no more homework, longer recess, and pizza for lunch everyday. Thankfully, it is easy to keep scrolling when my news feed is full of all of these things. Even with the limited time I have been spending on social media lately, it's hard to miss. One post I did come across recently really spoke to me though. I don't know this particular person but what he had to say regarding the election season is worth repeating.

"I will not post my political views on FB for several reasons but I will say:

None of the candidates are idiots. Stop calling them that.

One of them WILL be our next president.

It isn't beneficial to bash anyone, ever.

If you call yourself a Christian, cursing anyone's name is forbidden. Defaming people is forbidden.

Check yourself.

Use your words to lift up Jesus, not put someone else down.

Coarse language concerning candidates is childish. Grow up.

Pray for the candidates.

Don't forget that our country isn't saved by politics or politicians.

God is greater than any trial.

Honor God. Seriously.

It MATTERS what you say, how you say it and how you live."

YES!

Each candidate has pros and cons. Some definitely seem like better options that others. It's ok to have a favorite and to advocate for that person. It's also ok to be disappointed if your person doesn't win. What is not ok is to put all of your hope and faith in a person. No human out there has all the right answers. People are panicking, becoming hopeless for the future, and expressing fear and anxiety. Whoever becomes our next president will not save us. Our world will remain broken.

If some Christians used as much energy to share the love and truth of Jesus as they do bashing the political candidates....

I'll just leave that thought there.

At the end of the day, Jesus is Lord over all. That's right, ALL. He sits on the throne. He has the power to save. He is in control. My hope is in Him and Him alone. I will not fear my future because this is my temporary home.  I will pray for our potential worldly leaders. I pray that American makes the best choice, whoever that may be. I pray that we, as a country, can remember that we are one, no matter the outcome of this election or those to come. If the person you vote for doesn't win this election, pray for and respect the one who does. They are human, they will need it.

There is power in the name of Jesus.