Lots of catching up to do...

Wow- I have blogged about a few things but have so much catching up to do! March has been really busy for us- but in a good way. We have been pretty good about saying "no" when we were too tired, and have somehow been able to balance things almost perfectly. It seems like we have had a great mix of rest, friends, relaxation, food, work, trips, visitors, and play.

It is probably going to take me a while to blog about it all, but here we go.

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Our church has been hosting Pinterest events for the ladies on Wednesday nights. Every Wednesday they pick a different theme and ask volunteers to bring certain items pertaining to that theme. For instance, the first week was all about cooking. They had several women in the church fix their favorite (and easiest) dishes, bring them as a sample, and bring recipe cards for everyone. We just walked around sampling all of the food. If we liked it, we took one of the recipe cards. So, it's like looking at a recipe board on Pinterest, but actually being able to taste the food, and then going home with the recipe in hand. I thought this was such a great idea!

A few weeks ago was the Easter Pinterest night. I volunteered to make the Easter Story Cookies. I had never made them before, but just thought that they looked cute on Pinterest (haha!).

The idea is that you tell the Easter story to your kids while you are making them, allowing them to help along the way. The oven is preheating while you are mixing everything together. Then, when they are ready to go into the oven you slide them in and let the kids put tape on the door so that they will know it has not been opened when they wake up in the morning (similar to the boulder being in front of Jesus' tomb). You turn the oven OFF, and leave them until morning. When the kids wake up you let them break the seal on the oven door and remove the cookies. When you bite into them, they will be hollow (empty)- just like the tomb on Easter morning!

Here is how they turned out:

They were really easy to make and turned out to actually taste good, too. Jason really loved them.

Here is the recipe just in case anyone is interested:

Easter Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter.

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar

zipper baggie
heavy wooden spoon
tape
A Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us eternal life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

NOW GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9

Here are a few pictures of the other items that were there that night:

My front door wreath...

 Cupcakes!

While standing next to my cookies and explaining the recipe, I met a sweet lady who has walked to long road of adoption. We really just connected that evening, and are having lunch together next week. I can't wait to get to know her, and hear her story. It is so interesting to see who God is putting us in touch with. This is definitely a story that I couldn't have written! I am looking forward to seeing where He takes us.