What a spectacular week - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter!

Everyone knew that 2022 was going to be different than the last couple of years.  We finally had some sense that the pandemic might really end.  It also looked like it might be spring on the horizon (or so we thought).  For me the entire week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, was an unexpected, wonderful, amazing time.  Easter ended with about an inch of snow overnight.  So we might have to wait a bit for that springtime.  These sweet faces bring me so much joy.  It was truly a season to remember.  

This picture reminds me of some of the very high points of the week for me.  Beginning on Palm Sunday.  The top left picture might not look like a "typical" Palm Sunday celebration. You can't see any palm branches waving.  But what it IS, is so much more.  My church has always had a "Palm Sunday Pilgrimage".  The entire congregation is encouraged to walk to church on that Sunday.  This helps to appreciate exactly what Jesus and his followers were experiencing on that first Palm Sunday.  Jerusalem was seeing thousands (maybe millions) of people flood in for the upcoming festival.  It was a big party.  And that is exactly what we had that day at church.  After walking in with over 50 children, youth and adults,  the service was a true celebration.  The most meaningful Palm Sunday I have ever had. 

The top right picture is another "unusual" service.  In past years with Lia and Zeke's first Communion, I have blogged about this Maundy Thursday service that is like no other.  This year was Ellie's first Communion.  Every family gathers at their own table, and during the Communion time, the oldest at each table serves everyone.  So, this year, I got to give Ellie her first Communion.  A truly amazing and awe inspiring time.  

The bottom left picture was Good Friday.  Most people would recognize this service as what you would expect.  The story of Jesus' last week was retold and as the story progressed, candles were extinguished until only the Christ Candle was left burning.  As the service concluded, Anna sang "This Little Light of Mine" as she carried that candle out of the church.  We were left sitting in the darkness of the hour.  I have never felt the finality of that darkness more than that night.  But more importantly, as we all know, Friday might be dark, but Sunday is on the way!  The Easter Celebration began with Anna once again singing "This Little Light of Mine" as she brought the Christ Candle back into the Sanctuary.  And a wonderful celebration it was!  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

The bottom left is, of course, my family.  Being together and being entirely us.  We had a wonderful day doing all of the usual Easter stuff.  

The kids had their traditional egg hunt but this year Lia hid the eggs for the younger kids.  After she was done, only her eggs remained (each of the kids gets a special color egg making it easy for them to find their own eggs).  Tim was busy cooking dinner, so I volunteered to hide the eggs for Lia.  When the egg hunt was done, Lia could not find 4 of her eggs.  And this grandma had no idea where I had hidden them!  I took special notice of the places I thought she would never look, and she easily found those eggs.  But the elusive four eggs were nowhere to be found.  Gwen finally decided that squirrels must have taken them!  Which, given their property, might actually be possible!  Maybe sometime over the next few months, those eggs might show up?  One thing is certain, Grandma will not be hiding eggs again!

On the drive home I was reflecting on the amazing week.  It actually took my breath away.  There were so many "God moments" and breath taking times that it was hard to take it all in.  I experienced this season in new ways that I am still taking time to digest.  It is  good to know that I am not too old to grow and learn.  The entire way home, I found myself singing, "This Little Light of Mine" and thinking about all of the verses of that song...

This little light of mine!  I'm going to let it shine.  All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel -NO!  I'm going to let it shine. Don't let Satan blow it out! I'm going to let it shine,  Let it shine till Jesus comes! I'm going to let it shine.

That is is good way to begin this new season.  Letting my light shine.  What a great reminder for all of us.  Let us shine more and argue less.  Let us shine more and worry less.  Let us shine more and take sides less.  Let us shine more!

Jesus, thank you for continuing to challenge me and encourage me to grow and learn.  Holy Spirit help us all to live in the joy and wonder of Easter as we move ahead.  Remind us that Sunday is coming when we are stuck in the darkness of Friday.  Give us courage to shine when we are faced with tough situations.  Give us boldness to shine in the strongest opposition.  Jesus thank you for you love!  Amen

Knowing what is really important during this pandemic

I got up this morning, took a shower and got dressed - in pajamas - for another day, at home.  It is April 1st.  I had no idea I would be STILL doing this routine in the month of April.  And there is now a pretty good chance that it could be just like this on May 1st also.  As usual, the coffee pot was calling me.  I keep a few Kcups close to the pot, but have my big box stashed in the cupboard.  I took out the last Kcup and went to the cupboard to refill by the pot.  My heart sank as I opened the door to the secret stash of goodness, when I realized IT WAS EMPTY!  I am now totally out of coffee.  While there are many other much worse problems in the world right now.... I AM OUT OF COFFEE!   Any other year, I would just hop in the car and run out to the store for all of the items that we are running low on.  But not this year.  Not with Covid-19.  Not with the shelter in place order. 

This has been a wild few weeks for most everyone.  Kids home from school, parents not working, trying to not lose our minds having to stay inside. Fear and worry.  Anxiety.  Concerns for finances.  All for an unseen tiny virus.   For Ken and I, well we have sort have been on this lock down since January 1st!  And, quite frankly, Ken is still dealing with health issues.  Those came to a head this week. 

Both Ken and I had "health emergencies" in the last week.  Ken had been losing energy and strength over the last few weeks.  I became concerned and we had a telephone visit with his doctors.  We decided that it was necessary that we go to the outpatient lab so Ken could have blood work done.We had been avoiding anything medical at all costs!  So, we ventured out for that, trying to stay away from everyone.  He had his blood taken, and then we waited to hear back from the doctor.  Just to make things interesting, out of the blue I got a serious nose bleed.  Think the worst bleed you could imagine.  After over an hour trying to control it, Ken called 911.  The paramedics came and thankfully, we got the bleed stopped after about an hour.  I seemed to be fine for a couple of days when I had another bleed that I could not stop.  So I decided that I had to go the ER.  Not what I wanted to do.  So Ken drove me to the ER and he stayed in the car.  They were able to stop the bleeding and determined that I had a serious sinus infection.  They applied medication high in my sinuses, packed my nose and gave me strong antibiotics.  Needless to say, Ken and I did not need this!  Then the very scary results of Ken's blood work came in and he needed to be admitted to the hospital for blood transfusions.  Because of the Covid-19, I was not allowed to see him during his stay.  It was a tense few days.  Ken got the blood he needed as well as numerous tests to rule out anything other than the liver infection that we know he has, as the cause of his low blood levels.  

As I was waiting for the call saying Ken was released from the hospital, I saw this robin right outside of our door.  I know that the bird saw me, but he/she was not the least concerned.  There must have been some tasty bugs or worm under those dry leaves, because that bird dug and dug for several minutes.  Robins are a sure sign that springtime is here and I surely needed that sign yesterday.  It has been a long, trying winter - not just for the Rowley household but for everyone.  

Then, as we were walking in the door, I noticed that our flowering crab apple tree has started to bud.  I was stopped in my tracks, looking at those little bursts of new life.  We all need a burst of new life.  

This pandemic thing is not over yet.  As a matter of fact, I am not so sure we are 1/2 through it.  But the most amazing thing is happening.  Spring has come and more than that, Jesus has risen!  

It will be sure be a Holy Week and Easter that we can not forget.  We will not be together with family and friends on Palm Sunday to wave branches and shout Hosanna!  We will not be gathering together around the table to celebrate the Last Supper.  Our Good Friday celebrations will be solo remembering of Jesus' sacrifice for us.  And our Easter will not include shouting together, "He is Risen" and "He is Risen Indeed"!    I was talking with Lia today about our family celebration that would not be happening on April 12.  It will happen, just on some date in the future.  I reminded Lia that Easter has not changed.  Jesus is alive and we will still be celebrating that on the 12th.  But we are much more in a position like the disciples on that first Easter.  They were locked in their rooms, fearing being called out as friends of Jesus.  That is until Mary arrived with the amazing news that Jesus had risen!  Then they all ran out to see for themselves.  

I am convinced that Jesus is using this time to prepare us.  He wants us to be ready to run out and tell the world that He has risen!  I am imagining what it will look like when all of these "shelter in place" orders are lifted.  I know that stores, the restaurants, the parks and the playgrounds will be filled with people.  It will certainly be a joy-filled time.  Families will be together and there will be hugs and kisses and so much food. Every crisis seems to bring out the best in people, and this pandemic is no different.  Neighbors are sharing food, strangers are helping each other.  So much good is happening amidst the danger. We need to hang on to this sharing and caring when this crisis ends. 

 We will need to be intentional, to remind ourselves that sharing is caring.  To think about our neighbors and not lose all that we have gained during this time.  It will take effort, but I know that we can accomplish this.  Beyond that, my prayer is that we not miss the chance to run out and share the Good News with the world that Jesus is the answer. Jesus is bigger and more powerful than the Corona virus.  He is the Savior.  He is the all in all.  This is the foundation of everything and the most important focus during this pandemic.  

So I will concentrate on keeping my focus on Jesus while "social distancing" and "sheltering in place".  I will remember that my neighbors are also suffering during this time and find ways to help.  And I will worship and praise and pray, remembering that although I may be alone in my home, I am joining a great cloud of witnesses.  I will celebrate, Jesus is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you came and rescued us.  You are our comfort when we are scared.  You are the peace that still the storms around us.  Holy Spirit, grow us all during this time.  Bring us to new levels of your love.  Give us wisdom to stay safe and courage and boldness when we are released.  Thank you for springtime.  For all the signs of new life.  Amen

Missing my mom......

My mom died six years ago today.  I never have to stop and figure out how many years it has been, since Zeke was born just a month after Mom died - actually on her birthday.  And since Zeke will soon be six years old - well, it must have been six years.  I was so blessed to have my mom for a long, long time.  She was almost 96 years old.  But I can tell you, it really doesn't matter HOW long - it is never long enough.   These last six years have had so many moments when I would have loved to talk to her.  To get her opinion.  Or to just laugh with her.  Our moms hold a special, special place in our hearts that is not easily filled by anyone else.  I actually took a picture of this photo which is in a scrapbook that I made for my mom.  This very "impromptu" picture was taken by my dad, as my mom and I were working on a holiday dinner in December of 1971.  My mom never liked our kitchen in this house.  It did not have much counter space and we were always trying to work in a very cramped little space.  In thinking back to that lack of working room, it may be why I am so comfortable in my own very small kitchen that doesn't have much counter space! I got used to it when working with my mom!   I love this very genuine smile on both our faces.  

I was searching through our scanned photos for a picture of me with my kids when they were teenagers.  I settled on this picture which was taken on Easter in 1999,  An interesting fact I have discovered -  I am not in very many pictures.  That is because I was usually the one TAKING the pictures at the events!  So it is hard to find pictures that include me with the kids.  Looking back at that picture of my mom and I, I realized just how important it is to keep taking pictures with our kids! I am so thankful that I have that picture of Mom and I and I am grateful to have this photo with both Gwen and Doug!  

Today at my small group, I mentioned that these weeks in April are a bit difficult for me.  During these weeks, my mother, father, sister, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all died.  And even when I KNOW that these dates are just days on a calendar, I still feel that melancholy heaviness trying to get me down during this time.  I am so thankful for the prayers of my friends today, that lifted that heaviness off of my heart.   I was thinking of just how fitting it is that Easter falls during these weeks this year.   It is a time when it is easy to fall into that sad/mourning time as we remember the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  I have always tried to imagine just how distraught the disciples must have been on that Saturday.  When their friend was gone and they could not begin to come up with a plan to go forward.  They had believed their teacher, but it was dark and cold and empty with his death.  But then Sunday morning came!!!  What an amazing, wondrous time that was. For us, even with the heaviness of Holy Week - we know that Sunday is on the way!  Jesus has risen! He is alive!

The best part of this is the reminder for me that Mom is in that amazing place right now, praising Jesus.   And she is with her mom - something that she longed for her entire life.  (Her mom died when she was only two years old)  And the happy news is that one day, I will see her again.  And that makes this day of missing her so much easier.    I know that I have blogged before about the song "In Christ Alone".   My mom loved this song after she heard it.  She said it told the whole story.  So once again, here is In Christ Alone in honor of my mom.  And it does really tell the entire story of Jesus.  

I just love this last stanza of this song. there is a message there for all of us. 

No guilt in life, no fear in death - this is the power of Christ in me.

From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ, I'll Stand!

Jesus, thank you for powerful songs that tell us your story and help us share that story with others.  Thank you for the comfort you bring to all of us who are missing loved ones who have died.  Give us all the reminder of the hope we have in you, Jesus.  Amen

One of those important "Big" events.....

Today Ellie was one happy little girl.  She lost her first tooth. At school.  So she got a cute little tooth holder necklace and she was dancing when she came off of the bus.  It was pretty obvious this morning that this event would happen soon.  Her tooth was facing the wrong direction, yet it was holding on by a small thread.  When you are 6 this is a really big deal!  And there will be many more lost teeth in the years ahead.  Of course Zeke wanted to know when he would get to lose a tooth! Sigh.  That comparison stuff once again.

As a special treat today, Gwen was actually on one of her "spring breaks" and did not have to work (unfortunately for Gwen, each of the schools where she works, took different spring breaks. Last week she was off on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and this week she is off on Tuesday and Thursday.  Certainly not ideal....).  So we took Zeke and Anna to an indoor tot swim at a local park district.

Zeke had a wonderful time.  The water was a bit cold for Anna but she really did seem to like it.  She splashed and played and we took both of the kids on the very small lazy river.  Zeke is turning into quite the swimmer.  He really does well and even went under water today!  So for sure it was a really nice change of pace and made this day feel a bit more like a "vacation".  Here is Zeke going under water!

And coming up!  

And a bonus picture of Anna having fun in the water!  Yes, it was a super fun day!  

This has always been one of my favorite weeks of the year.  It is a week of "big events" on the church calendar.  It is Holy Week.  I love Palm Sunday.....palm branches and singing Hosanna to the King!  And I love that this also signals a change in my spirit as I focus on the events of the coming week. Maundy Thursday has always been a special day for me.  I love thinking about that first "last supper" and remembering that we are blessed to participate in this amazing meal every time we celebrate Communion.  Good Friday is one of those days that it seems almost impossible to do anything but wonder at the sacrifice, at the unbelievable gift that we are given through the Crucifixion.  The week ends with the joyous and wondrous cry of "He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!".

One of the best things about this week of big events are all the memories that are made. I have many specific memories of each of these "big event" days and I will share those memories on each of those days this week.   Today Ellie is celebrating a lost tooth that also means that she has made one more step up that "growing up" ladder.  For her it is a big event.  I am feeling happy that I got to actually be a part of Ellie's special day today and I got to swim with Anna, Zeke and Gwen. It was a day of making memories.

Jesus, thank you for memories and special times of fun with family.  Holy Spirit, help us all to stop and remember during this special "Holy Week".  Thank you for traditions and rituals that reinforce those "big events".  Jesus keep our focus on you!  Amen

The contrasts of today.........

Today is the day.  Three years ago today, I lost my mom.  She was truly more than just my mom.  We shared and laughed and enjoyed each other so much.  I just love this very old photo of us.  It is a "casual" photo - not posed.  And we don't have many pictures like that!  It was taken at "the lake". And I just love the look on my mom's face.   It was taken in 1955.  I assume that the cat belonged to my grandmother.  I know that she always had at least one cat around.  Most likely, she had brought it down to our cabin from the farm. I decided that this was the picture I would share today, in honor of my mom. I love remembering that she is now, celebrating with Jesus.

This has really been an amazing day, something that I didn't expect. First of all, it was actually WARM!  Like 75 degrees warm.  Remember that this winter was brutal and the ice and snow seemed to last forever!  So a day with the sun out and no coat required is really something to celebrate!  There was a short, very stormy period this morning, but it past quickly, and the sun came out again. 

And then the doorbell rang.  It was a neighbor telling us that a piece of siding near the peak of our house was "flapping in the breeze".  Needless to say, we ran out to take a look.  And there, on the OTHER side of the house, was the very loose siding. (See my post from November 29, 2013 - we had a piece of siding blow off in the same location - on the opposite side of the house)  Ken got out are very short ladder and our very long tree trimmer tool and tried to push that siding back so it wouldn't blow all the way off, lest we lose it!  Thankfully, as soon as he touched the piece, it fell to the ground.  So we are now in possession of THAT piece of siding.  However, there is still a LARGE piece that is loose. And it was Saturday, at noon.   The soonest that we could arrange for anyone to come out to repair this is Monday afternoon.  It is supposed to rain and storm over the next 24 hours, so we are praying that piece of siding stays put!  

To finish off the day I went to an amazing church service.  I just loved the wonderful worship and the sermon was great.   I felt as if the entire service had been planned for me.  The sermon topic was from 1John 5 beginning at verse 13.   It was about KNOWING! (See my comment from yesterday about Lia, just knowing).  The point was that knowing was more than understanding.  It was having absolute assurance. During the sermon the Pastor shared an interesting list of the contrasts that are expressed all through out the book of 1John.  Here was the list....

God (Love)      Satan (Sin)
Truth                 Lies
Light                 darkness
Life                   death
confidence        fear
love                   hate

The thing about this list is that these represent what it is like to live either in the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of Satan.  Without the KNOWING and the assurance, when we are in the world, our life is filled with lies, darkness, death, fear and hate.  I am so blessed to have that knowing - the assurance of living in the Kingdom of the King of Kings!  A place of truth, light, life, confidence and love.  

In each of the events of today..... there is the contrast.   My mom died, but she is celebrating with Jesus!  There was a time of storms today, but the sun came out again!  Our siding came loose, but we were able to retrieve the piece - it wasn't lost!  We live IN the world, but we are not OF the world.  Coming into this Holy Week, I am so thankful that I have the assurance - that deep knowing that Jesus is all that I need.  I am so grateful for Jesus' work on the cross, and his marvelous resurrection! 

Jesus, thank you!   For contrasts, for blessings, for all that you do in our lives.  Thank you for guiding and directing us to the exact places that we need to be.   Thank you for memories, for moms and for the assurance of our eternal life!   Holy Spirit, help us all to spend time this week, remembering all that Jesus has done for us.   Thank you for the assurance that comes from KNOWING!  Amen