Easter

What a blessing it is to know the truth of the Gospel at any time of the year, but how much more is that true at Easter. I am amazed at the price He paid for my sins - I will truly never know how much it cost! I am just thankful that His blood covers me in a way that nothing else could. When I was lost and dead in my sins, He found me and loved me, when I was unloveable and unloving to Him! I thank Him daily for His mercy. I pray that each of you had a blessed Easter and that you celebrated more than bunnies, eggs and chocolate! We had a blessed day here in the DeVore house. An awesome service followed by good food, relaxing times and fellowship with great friends - what more could we want? Here are Easter morning pics for your viewing pleasure!

Easter Story Cookies

He is Risen! Isn't it awesome to know that Jesus died for us and then rose triumphant over the grave? A few years ago, our family came across a neat way to go through the Easter Story with your children. So, now I am sharing it with you! You have to start them the evening before Easter. You need:

1 c. whole pecans 1 tsp. vinegar 3 egg whites
pinch of salt 1 c. sugar zipper baggie
wodden spoon tape Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 F. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the 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 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 the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest in the bowl. Explain that that represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of their own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar and explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know Him and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat these with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 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 Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that the mounds represent the rock tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put 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 Matthew 27:65-66.

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 Matthew 28:1-9.

Now, celebrate our Resurrected Lord!

Thankful for the seasons in my life.

Today started out as just a perfect day. I took Maggie out back for a walk and got caught up in the beauty of God's creation. While I stood still and surveyed it all - the bright blue sky with the warm sun on my neck, the woodpecker in a tree over my head, the air filled with the songs of birds lifting their praises to our Creator and the soft breeze on my skin - I had to stop and just thank the Lord. Maggie must have felt how special it was, too, because she even stopped and sat down beside me, observing it all. It really is true that God speaks to us in the softness of a still small voice, and often we can only hear Him when we just stop and allow ourselves to listen. As a breeze came along, I noticed more dead leaves shaken from the trees and watched as they fluttered to the ground. It made me realize how perfect God made everything. If this time of the year didn't deliver those breezes, how would those dead leaves be shaken off and room made for new growth. Well, let me tell you, that was the beginning of what God wanted me to get from Him today! I felt like He was showing me a truth for people, not just nature. Now, stay with me here and remember, I am not a spritual giant, but I really did feel that the Lord planted this in my heart! So, I thought that our lives, as we know, go through seasons. Sometimes, we are in Summer and life feels so good and light and happy and carefree. Things are going well and you haven't a care in the world. You are close to the Lord and have regular time to spend in His presense. Then, other times we are in Fall, with hard work and a harvest on our hands that comes forth with worthwhile labor and love. We still feel the Lord, but maybe are a little too busy to always just bask in His presense. Sometimes, though we are in a Winter. It is cold and we feel alone and empty, with not much growth or change in our lives. We wonder if we will even make it through this time. Then, when we feel like we can't take it, a storm comes - it blows and howls and we wonder how can the Lord let this happen? Where is He right now? Well, as I watched those leaves fall, I GOT it! When that storm comes, He is getting those dead things out of us and cleansing us, making us feel again our need for Him. When we allow Him to shake those things from our lives, only one thing can happen - new growth and healing that prepares us for a glorious Spring of resurrection. Now, this may not make sense to anyone but me, but that's OK, because it made perfect sense and was just so reassuring to be reminded that He is always there - in any season or at any time, I can feel safe in trusting in Him! I pray that this blesses and encourages you like it did me!

A blessed time with my bestest friend!

For the past 2 weeks, I have had the most wonderful blessing - my best friend and 3 of her children came to visit us from Alabama! We had such a wonderful time with them. While they were here, we went to the beach - even though it was cold and windy, it felt good to dig our toes in the sand for even a short time! While there, we also visited the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Here are some pics:


Our 6 children- Holly, MaKenna and Caleb, Garrett, Austin and Micaylah.

Kimi and I and our children at the top - it was more than a little windy! The view down the stairs! - If you have never been, you really should go! It is a great experience! We had so much fun and the view from the top is awesome!

Kimi and I at the beach - are we cool mama's or what?

While they were here, we also were able to go to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill:

and Blue Springs where we were able to see Manatee, alligators and turtles, among other creatures and learn about natural Florida! Our time, as always, felt much too short, but I am thankful nonetheless for her visit and that the Lord allowed our paths to cross many years ago and that our friendship has remained strong, through trials, smiles and miles!