Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV) 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
xxxooo
Mom
- Spring Break for Elly meant Vacation Bible School in the mornings and pick up by Mimi for lunch, nap, and playtime in the afternoons. For Mimi, it meant a learning opportunity for Elly on the real meaning of Easter through the tactile learning experience of resurrection eggs. I got a set from Logos Bookstore while at the HIM Conference in preparation for my week with Elly. Reading through the accompanying booklet that explained the significance of the elements, though, unnerved me. How would I simplify into 3 year-old language the suffering Jesus encountered on the way to the cross? And the cross and resurrection? When the time came, Elly sat across me waiting for me to begin the story so she could open the eggs: "Can you open the blue egg? I said. "What's inside it?" Thus began our exploration and story time. I stumbled on some painful parts, like the whip used to hurt Jesus and the spear to poke his side while he was on the cross to see if he was still alive. We finally got to the pink egg with the stone that was rolled away from the tomb and to the white egg that was empty because Jesus was no longer dead but alive. "Do it again, you read the book and tell me to open the blue egg," responded Elly, and I was happy to do so again and again. For the remainder of the week, opening the eggs was a daily activity with the requisite that I sit next to her to tell the story. I'll master the 4 year-old language explanation better, I think, but for now I'm learning that the feel of elements in the hands of a child connects her to the story you want to tell. I'll keep trying to find innovative ways for igniting the inner souls of Elly and Maddy.
- I mailed my deposit for the Israel trip scheduled for February 6-18, 2017 and submitted my passport application with the required documents to the post office. My course is set like flint.
- Dad submitted a resignation letter effective immediately to the Sound Team this past Saturday. Because his stamina is waning, he felt he could not fully support their needs. Easter was extremely waxing for him, but he's known for awhile that this step was essential for his health. Dad finally had the courage to do so. He let me read the letter before he sent it and I cried a bit, knowing that some 15 years was coming to an end. But I fully agreed with his resignation, knowing that other fit avenues of service are being prepared for us. Some of the guys will continue to meet with him for Bible Study here on Sundays, so their camaraderie will continue.
- This coming week I have an appointment at St. Louis School to look at old yearbooks for the time my father coached there. I am again collecting information for this elusive book on him. I have given myself 2 years to complete the research and do the first draft. So many questions erupt in my mind as I think about my dad. How did he sustain himself physically and emotionally as a child after his kidnap and rearing in a family that treated him as the stepchild he was? It seems that his recognized ability in sports early on was his savior, but is there a certain personality trait that moves one beyond circumstance? What do you think it?
xxxooo
Mom