His heart beats
His blood begins to flow
Waking up what was dead
A moment ago
And His heart beats
Now everything has changed
Because the blood that brought us peace with God is racing through his veins

~His Heart Beats by Andrew Peterson (click the picture to hear the song)

This!

This is why we have hope in this life and in the next. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Our Easter celebration began on Tuesday when friends came and dyed eggs with us. I had tie-dye and  pearlized sparkle egg kits for the kids to try this time.

We worked our way through the Resurrection Eggs–but on our own time table since we were gone to Great Wolf Lodge for a few days. This year Stephen came up with a one sentence summary for the kids to repeat for each object. For example, when he held up the cup, he had the kids say, “Jesus is our sacrifice.”

After our spring break trip, we returned home in time to attend the Good Friday service at Hinson. We listened to readings of the scripture accounts of Christ’s betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. After each reading, we as a congregation responded with singing. At the end of the sermon and communion, Silas and Cooper sang with all their hearts. We love to hear our kids worship with us!

On Easter morning, the kids opened their Easter baskets a friend had surprised us with.

Brynn wore a smocked dress made by my mom and Mom-mom Taylor. My sister Rebekah wore this dress as a little girl, so it was sweet to have Brynn wear a “Taylor-made” dress.

{Here’s a throwback picture of my cousins, my sister and me. I’m on the far left, and Rebekah (second from left) is wearing the same dress Brynn now has.}

That evening we feasted with friends and hosted an egg hunt indoors since it was a stormy day. Easter is one of the sweetest seasons to spend with our church family.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!