Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!: A Day for Hope

Three years ago, just before Easter, Jared's Aunt Karen lost her battle to cancer and passed away.

This year, on Maundy Thursday, one of my oldest friends also lost her battle to cancer and went home to Heaven. Her name was Brittany (Withrich) Rippin and we had been friends since high school. We went on a trip together right after graduation. And we even lived together our last year of college. She was funny and intelligent. And so full of hope. She was easily one of the most gracious, thankful, optimistic, amazingly strong people I have ever known. She was a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. She was only 31.

So, this Easter season has been kind of emotional for me.

And I know that every Lenten season for the rest of my life, will bring with it the memories of these 2 incredible women that we lost near Easter.

.....But I guess, if it HAD to be near a holiday, at least it was Easter. Because has there ever been a more hopeful time?

Because Jesus loved us SO much, He died for us. He let Himself be tortured, ridiculed, and crucified.

For us.

And then He rose again.

He conquered the grave.

And he offered us a place in Paradise.

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." - John 11:25-26

I know these 2 amazing women are with Him now.

And I know we will see them again some day. And everyone will be healthy and happy.. with no more pain and no more suffering.

"I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality". - 1 Corinthians 15:50-53

So if you HAVE to lose people that you love... at least Easter is an amazing, wonderful time of hope. And remembrance. And focusing on the fact that this is NOT the end. Earth is NOT a final destination.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." - John 14:1-4

And there is nothing more amazing than the promise we have of eternal life all because Jesus loved us so much.

So this Easter, we celebrated.

First, by shakin' up some hard-boiled eggs :)

Rice, food coloring, and small containers with lids.

And.... SHAKE!

It was so much more fun for the boys than just waiting on the eggs in some water.

And they turned out pretty, too!

And then it was Easter morning and time to look through their baskets.

Goobers.

Easter Egg/Scavenger hunt! Holden reading his first clue.

... and some more....

They found them!

LOOK at that FACE! Oh my♥

Then it was Easter breakfast at church. Holden sang in the little kids' choir, and Jared and I played with all the babies/toddlers in the Nursery for the service.

After that, it was time for Easter lunch!

And a few family pics :)