Around the world people are celebrating and remembering the significance of this day. Here in the McDaniel house our children awoke to a family tradition...Easter baskets that were given to them all by a Grandmother who was so dear - long ago when we first became a family - have been saved and are still used on each Easter morning ever since. There are now seven baskets on our table; a new one was added when we welcomed our son-in-law, Matt, to the family. But far more important than the candy and new Easter socks (another tradition :-) are these words...
He is Risen. The tomb was empty...He was not there.
This year - above all others - I truly believe no greater words have ever been spoken...
He is Risen.
That is all I need to know.
Happy Easter everyone.
Denise
6 comments:
Without Him there is not hope.
The McDaniel family was in my thoughts all throughout church this morning. A tiny boy sitting next to me exclaimed with pure unbridled enthusiasm, "Adudah!", (or Allelujah, if you are over age 2). His little voice rang out in the lull of our exclamations. As we finished saying, "Christ is risen!", he cried out, "yeah!". The congregation laughed and smiled. That sweet little boy felt pure joy in his heart this morning. I felt it in my heart, too. Happy Easter, McDaniels! Love, Jodie
You were all continually on my heart and in my prayers all weekend thanks to my "Amanda bracelet." Everytime I touched or saw it, I prayed.
We were out of town with family for Easter. We attended the Catholic church with my father-in-law and the place was packed with lots of young families with little children. That always puts a smile on my face, but I particularly LOVED the 2 1/2 yr. old sitting right behind us. He was sweet, but ALL BOY! His parents were struggling to keep him quiet. When the priest held up the bread for communion, the Catholic tradition is apparently to ring a bell. Well, this church's bell sounded like a 1950's bicycle handlebar bell to me, but to the little boy behind us it must have sounded like sleigh bells. With all the wide-eyed wonder of a 2 1/2 yr. old boy, he gasped and loudly cried, "Is that Santa Claus?" I was laughing so hard, I had tears running down my cheeks. I think Jesus was probably having a good belly laugh as well. "Suffer not the little children come to me..."
~Denise's new best friend
As I looked at the picture of your sweet Easter baskets all lined up, expectantly waiting for Easter morning celebrating..
My thoughts turned to Jesus, remembering the suffering He had to endure so that we could have that Easter morning...
Remembering that He was human and felt every blow, every strike, splinter, nail....
Yet there was purpose in every awful, pitiful blow he endured for us...
I began thinking about all the beautiful and difficult moments you have shared with us along Amanda's journey...
Here are the words from a song that came to mind:
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way;
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my Guide,
Hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength,
For each new day,
He will make a way, He will make a way...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqcYzcYiS3k
I believe the message of this song with my whole heart, God will make a way for Amanda and for her family. He is with you, He loves you, He is at your side....He understands all the pain that you are going through because He has lived it...
Easter Blessings from Iowa, prayers continue....
Sending love and prayers from Kate and Haley's class in Centerton. While we miss her, we are grateful that she is able to spend this priceless time with Amanda.
Dear McDaniel family,
Like so many of your friends, family, and acquaintances we think and pray for all of you daily!
I read your Easter missive and though of my favorite Easter with Tessa. No, it wasn't the day when she was a year old when she and I sat together starting a tradition of our Easter Tea Party, complete with chocolates before breakfast, as soon as she awoke to let her know it was a very special day.But the most precious Easter for me was the when she understood the message of Jesus as our Savior. On that particularly bright sunny Easter Sunday, she looked outside her window and saw the first morning dove of the season. She excitedly called out to me saying "Mommy, look! Jesus has risen, and the Holy Spirit is among us!" Thank you for reminding me of that special day with your Easter message.
"He is Risen!" May He continue to fill all of you with His Spirit in the coming days.
Much love,
Ann, Mark and Tessa
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