Easter week. What a wonderful time for the Christian to celebrate. My pastor reminded me that EVERYTHING changed with the events that we call Easter. From that point on, nothing was ever the same. I'm thanking God for the cross, the grave and the power of His resurrection this week.

He became sin, who knew no sin,
That we might become His righteousness.
He humbled Himself and carried the cross...
Love so amazing, love so amazing....

Jesus Messiah, name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel.
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.

His body the bread, His blood the wine,
Broken and poured out all for love.
The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn.....

Love so amazing, love so amazing!

I like these words I found this morning.

Celebrate the temporary
Don't wait until tomorrow - Live today
Celebrate the simple things
Enjoy the butterfly
Embrace the snow
Run with the ocean
Delight in the trees or a single lonely flower
Go barefoot in the wet grass

Don't wait until all the problems are solved
or all the bills are paid - you will wait forever.
Eternity will come and go and you
will still be waiting

Live in the now
with all its problems and its agonies,
with its joy and its pain

Celebrate your pain, your despair, your anger
It means you're alive
Look closer, breathe deeper, stand taller,
stop grieving the past

There is joy and beauty
Today

It is temporary, here now and gone

so celebrate it while you can
Celebrate the temporary

-From Celebrate the Temporary by Clyde Reid

Had trouble getting to sleep last night. So many friends on my mind experiencing so much pain. So... I prayed. I finally dropped off to sleep and their faces were right there when I woke. Music helps more than anything. It expresses things I am incapable of expressing, it soothes my soul. I heard this one for today.

How many names an I use to explain the love of my Jesus, the life that He gave
And so many times will I praise You today, I lift up my life 'cause you're always the same
And my offering to You I bring

Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You're the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You're what I hold on to; I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross You knew... I'd need a Savior

How many songs can I sing to proclaim Your wondrous love and beauty so great?
What would I say if You brought down the rain and everyday I walk through the pain
My heart would still say...

You're what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross You knew... I'd need a Savior

Cora Jean Stetler finally entered the world on March 4th at 10:15 a.m. She is a beautiful bouncing baby girl weighing 8 lb. 8 oz and measuring 21 3/4" . Everything is perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, and a combination of all her brothers giving her a face like no other. Sometimes I am totally overwhelmed with the thought of how blessed I am with these unbelievable grandchildren. I can't wait to get her started on this journey with all of us. God bless you Cora Jean. Nana loves you.

Life is so strange. I'm sitting here waiting for a little angel to enter this earth and I just found out the angels came and took a good friend from this us. Bittersweet, so much of life is bittersweet. We love you Marollyn, we will miss your smile. Enjoy what God has prepared for you. Welcome Cora Jean, we can't wait to see you, straight from heaven to bless us here on earth.