Through the warmth of sunshine or the coolness of snow...

I confess to each of you, Easter just wasn't the same this year. Two things were missing - Grandma (who we have always celebrated Easter with) and the warmth of spring!

OK, I thought our move would be more simplier than it has been. There are so many things that just haven't been easy, but we have persevered and gotten through our challenging times...thankfully God is with us no matter where we live! However, these past couple of Easters have become depressing for me. And it wasn't until this year's celebration that I realized why - and it wasn't until this year I realized how deep my California roots are. In California no matter when Easter falls, the sun is always out, flowers are peaking through the tended ground and spring dresses with bonnets were always pleasing to my eyes. The weather and flowers have always been a reminder of the newness Easter is.

This is our second year here in Colorado and our second year with snow. Yes, I do enjoy watching the quietness fall to the ground and see the blanket of sparkling white cover the earth. But for Easter? And where we live, as quickly as the snow comes, the snow leaves. And what does it leave? The brown, dried earth...and we still remain waiting for the first signs of spring. It's just not what I am used to, and it will take time to get used to. Augh, but on the flip side, with the weather the way it is, brings us a saving! You see it is just too cold for Easter dresses! And stocking hats will have to replace spring bonnets!

One of our Easter traditions is opening our Resurrection Eggs (a dozen plastic eggs that are filled with symbols to remind us of different events leading up to the original Easter day), we read a story that goes along with the eggs, as we also read scripture. We enjoyed sharing this time with Grandpa this year. Each year the same story is revealed, and yet each year I am more impacted then the previous. I used to believe I would never put Jesus up on the cross, and then I have realized - it is my sinful nature, my selfishness and my unkind thoughts amongst so much more of who I am that has. I thought I would never deny Christ, as Peter did. But I have. I have denied him in different areas of my life and have even believed He wasn't capable to handle some of the things that weigh me down. And then I ponder Jesus more I find what marvels me the most is the hope we find each year.

The Thursday before Easter we celebrate the last supper with sadness, for we know what Good Friday brings. Each of my girls have asked over the years, why is it called Good Friday? As sad as it is, our Savior, our Father and our Friend was willing to be nailed to the cross. He was willing to die so we can have a place by God's side, so we can live in God's house - Jesus did a good thing, even though we are so saddened by it, even though it was us that put Him there. It is hard to fathem it being "good", but yet it is hard to fathem the depth of His love He has for each of us.

Three days later we celebrate Jesus...for we find He is alive! We find that all that He has promised has come true. And we do find so much hope. Each year I'm reminded of the Hope Jesus is, but it is something that I find is still hard to comprehend. I continue to hold onto His hope...and through snow or sunshine, His love remains the same and I am so thankful He was not only willing to make such a sacrifice so I can live, but that He remains alive today and stays with me each and everyday. I hope Easter never comes a time of traditions and "we have always done it that way" but that it remains a time of excitement and renewal.

Duane lead us in our Easter morning prayer. In his prayer he thanked God for the snow, for it was a reminder of how Jesus came down to us making our lives pure as snow. I am so thankful for the Godly husband I have who gives me a new perspective of how to look past the way it has always been.

Celebrating Ugandan style!

Happy Easter!!!

May you experience the hope in Christ!