birthday

I've had a fun time celebrating my birthday and Easter.

I love when they fall in the same week.

(none of this "Easter in March" business...)

Here are some of the sights from our week of celebration:

We enjoyed lots and lots of delicious food.

Goldenrod for Easter breakfast

Easter candy, of course

Rib-eye steak, garlic potatoes, candied carrots and creamed spinach

Lemon Raspberry birthday cake 

 I was showered with gifts all week long.

More Easter candy

Lots of thoughtful presents and cards

A beautiful orchid from Brans

and my siblings helped us work in the yard

(This is Tanner and Braden pulling down a tree)

One of my favorite things from this past week

is the arrival of baby chicks in our flock!

We love these baby chicks.

We have 8 chicks, 2 of each breed:

Marans, Black Sex Link, Golden Sex Link, Silver Laced Wyandottes

They are so much fun!

We have a broody hen that has taken to them 

and has become a very protective mother. It's working out perfectly.

With the blossoms in our yard,

the massive yard clean up we've been undertaking

and the addition of baby chicks,

it definitely feels like Spring.

It's no wonder why April is my favorite month.

easter

Easter has always been special to me. When I was younger, I loved Easter because it meant my birthday was right around the corner. And while that association is ever present in my mind, it has grown to signify something different to me. Something greater.

This year, we've enjoyed a little too much candy (Reese's Pieces Pastel Eggs, anyone?). We've basked in the warm, Sunny weather. We've worked in our yard, and enjoyed seeing everything come back to life after a long winter's rest. We hear birds singing their happy song all through the day.

And we have baby chicks. They are soft. And adorable. And warm. And fuzzy. I could hold them all day. They are fascinating! We've enjoyed watching them. They are such a beautiful symbol of springtime and new life - a magnificent symbol for the purpose of this holiday.

But, chicks and candy and new life of springtime aren't the only things Easter is about. In fact, their real pertinence to the holiday is to serve as a reminder - a reminder of the sweetness of new life that can be obtained only in and through our Savior.

Easter is about Jesus Christ.

I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins. He bled from every poor for me. And for you. And for everyone before us, and everyone to come. He agonized over each and every sin I have or ever will commit. He pleaded with our Father on my behalf, making it possible for me to be forgiven and return to Him someday.

But more than atoning for my sins, my Savior suffered all of my pain.

Physical. Spiritual. Mental. Emotional. 

He felt each wound, big and small - from surgery to stubbed toes.

He felt each temptation. Every twinge of guilt. 

He felt my stress. My frustration. My insecurity. Every time I feel inadequate. 

He suffered every pain.

His heart broke for me.

His hands ached for me. 

And through His infinite atonement, I am healed. 

My sins can be forgiven. My pain can be erased.  

After Christ suffered in Gethsemane, he died for us. For me. There are so many pieces and details of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He was betrayed. He was bound. He was beaten. My heart hurts to think of it. Of his hands nailed to the cross. The spear wound in his side. His weeping mother at his feet. His faithful followers, helpless. He was bruised and broken and torn. He gave his life for us.

But then...

He rose. 

My heart leaps when I think about it. He conquered death, and in the aftermath of all the suffering and pain, He gave new life. 

I can only imagine the joy in Mary Magdalene's heart when she uttered Rabboni and realized her Master, Jesus Christ stood before her. 

Jesus Christ bled and died for me. 

But now, He lives. 

HE LIVES! 

Christ made it possible for us to live now, and beyond this temporal state, into eternity.

He provided the way and showed us in a perfect example how we must live to return to Him someday. 

I am so grateful for my Savior. I am grateful for His willingness to suffer for me. To die for me. 

I am grateful that He lives for me.

I know that my Redeemer lives

What comfort this sweet sentence gives

May we always remember the life He gave then for the new life He gives now.

Happy Easter.