Our Glorious Days: Waffles and Jesus

Things are so different here.

Last years Easter was so very hard, this year we slept until 8:15. ; )

I'm so sorry it's been so long. Thank you so much for all the calls and emails checking on us! Honestly, life has not been chaos but rather full.

That is very good. We are just flowing from one thing to the other. Feeling very useful, which is good.

We celebrated our Alli's 10th birthday at the beginning of this month. She's so beautiful. I can't want to tell you about all the simple little things we did to celebrate her life.

Thanks to my Dad, the children just started gymnastics last week. But, it's not just gymnastics, it's gymnastics boot camp. =) Last week after it was over, Alli seemed a little embarrassed. When we returned to the van I asked her what was wrong. She said, "I asked the lady for a drink and she told me.. "No, it slows down our time. We don't stop for drinks unless we're dying" HA!

It feels real good to go there knowing they are actually learning. We've done gymnastics, swimming, etc in the past and I felt like they were just glorified babysitters. So far, this place lives up to its reputation.

Seriously, I didn't think Jordan could bend that way.

The head lady came over to get my girls caught up since they're "newbies"

Alli, walking back after a foot injury. I think the bandage made her feel like a "REAL" gymnast.

The First Annual Free Community Breakfast went very well. It was intended to be a sweet spring thing, however it was freezing temps outside, but that's OK =) We had plenty of food, we were so happy. We served 72 people and delivered to 17 of our Thursday meal homes. We had so much great help, met new people, and everyone had a great time. All and all, we thought it was a great first time and can't wait until the next one.

So many of you have been asking about the Aopt a Gram Program. OK, first of all, I CANNOT BELIEVE PEOPLE ARE SO EAGER TO HELP, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

We're trying to get all the finishing touches on it. I'm trying to be very thorough on my communication. Some of these people can't hear me let alone see to read a questionnaire form and understand why I'm wanting the information. Of course, there will just be some who can't take part, that's the hard part. Trying to be wise.

We have so many great people we serve. They are so funny! You know, old people can be such a hoot! We are serving an average of 24 each week. Can you beleive that? All I know is last week, I told Daniel he could call me, "Fry Cook Eddie" while I was flippin' burgers, in all four pans, on all the burners of my stove last Wednesday night prepping the hamburger steak. It was CRAZY! I felt like I needed to become a vegetarian for about two weeks after witnessing that much meat. Hey, I love me a good hamburger, two weeks would probably be my max. =)

On the financial end of Eleos, as you can imagine, as God blesses us with people to love on, the weekly cost increases. We've just had a church, not even from this local community, call and tell us they are going to support us monthly with what we are doing in Chelsea. THAT was totally crazy and unexpected. Can you beleive that? Man, God is so big. What a great blessing.

Our next big community event is the SHARE. My garage is stacked with generous donations by people so far. TONS of great things, mostly new with tags and all great things in perfect, like new condition. I can't beleive the response we've had. Meanwile, God keeps reminding me it's OK to have a messy garage for the time being and I don't need to post a sign in our yard saying, "I know our garage looks like we are hoarders; but it's really not for us." That way my pride could be satisfied. Man, that Jesus guy, always keeping us humble in his little subtle ways. ; )

On May 7th, we'll take all those items down to the local Civic Center and open the doors for the community to come and get what they need. Then at 3pm that day, John 3:16 Ministries out of Tulsa is driving down to pick up what is left. They have been very generous to extend their pick up area and even come on a non-pick up day.

Don't feel bad that I've not been keeping you up to date; I've not done a good job with the mail lady, our new co-op, friends, or even family!

Here is a copy of the little "Resurrection Sunday" card we made to send to certain people in our life. You know who you are ; ) They're all cut and signed by my little ones, does that count for anything? *sigh* not really, huh? =(

click picture to enlarge

Speaking of Resurrection Sunday, we've sure enjoyed our time focused on what our Savior Jesus did for us!

All week I've been in Matthew 28 just day dreaming over and over what it much have been like to have been the woman who clasped the feet of my risen savior, I just can't imagine.

"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Matthew 28 1-11

Friday, we gathered around the table to talk about the last night Jesus had with his friends before he died. We sit and talked, over grape juice and waffles about what Jesus did. We tried to imagine how hard it must have been for him. The kids read a paper they wrote about why Good Friday is so special and we shared in communion. It was simple, just Waffles and Jesus but it was just enough.

Last night, my three older ones stayed up late to dye eggs then today they spent all day, after church, hiding them all over the house since it's been raining all day long. I have to admit, it so stinkin' cute.