Pray and Believe

We have had some events this last month that felt like we were on a crazy roller coaster and no matter what we did, we could not get off. Let me tell you though, I was turned into a prayer warrior. Not that I did not pray before, but like most people I tended to pray when I needed something or felt scared. It is easy to forget to pray for the thanks, the good, and give the glory to whom its deserved. Not any more though for me. I have changed so much in my prayer life. It is the first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before I fall asleep. Do not get me wrong some days I pray all day.I just pray with a different attitude. I truly believe what I am praying. If it is an area of need, I know in His time He will provide. If it is a thanks or praise, I know HE is looking down saying, " Your welcome my child". It is just amazing, how talking to my Heavenly Father can make me feel so good and at peace. If praying is not a daily habit you have please try and make it one. Start small, as you lay down at night thank God for 1 thing that you feel blessed you that day. If you can not think of anything, then thank Him for the bed you are sleeping in, the roof over your head, your family, job, etc. If you can do this once a day you will find yourself praying even more often through out the days. You will start enjoying your time with Him. I encourage to just give it a try. I will be praying for you. Cause I am a prayer warrior.

Easter Story Cookies

Now this activity is very neat! It is to be done the evening before Easter.

- 1 cup whole pecans

- 1tsp vinegar

- 3 egg whites

- pinch of salt

- 1 cup sugar

- zipper baggie

- wooden spoon

- tape

- Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, and close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door shut. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that the may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

The Easter Hill

This is another great activity! I love that there are so many activities we can sit and do with our kids to teach them the true meaning of Easter. These are fun activities that the kids and you can do together and they will not even realize they are learning.

This activity is from "Treasuring God in our Traditions" by Noel Piper
To purchase go here http://www.amazon.com/Treasuring-God-Traditions-euml-Piper/dp/1581348339

Instructions:

- Make a hill out of Salt dough (recipe to follow)

-The hill includes a spot for the cross, the tomb, and places to place other people.

- Let the kids make a hill and the people (out of pipe cleaner).

- On Friday morning , talk about when Jesus dies on the cross (wrap a red piece of tinsel or pipe cleaner around Jesus to show he has died) and the the kids place 'Jesus' in the tomb with the rock covering the opening.

- On Sunday morning (Easter Sunday) before they wake up you can roll away the stone and place Jesus on top of the hill (red blood tinsel removed) to show He is alive.

- Help the kids understand the waiting between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. And why Easter is such an important celebration.

Recipe

- 4 cups of flour

-1 1/2 cups salt

- 1 1/2 cups water

- 1 tablespoon oil

1. Shape dough into a hill

2.Form a hole/cave at the base.

3.Press a rock into the cave opening to make a more exact fit between the two

4.Create a cross using small sticks and twine

5.Stick the cross into the top of the hill to make a hole

6.The dough will shrink a bit when baking so make sure the hole is just a bit bigger and deep enough to hold the cross (or Jesus if you made him)

7.Use the toothpicks to make small holes all over the hill. These will hold the 'people' made out of pipe cleaners.

8.Cook at 250 for 4-5 hrs. It is okay if the dough gets a bit brown.

9.Once fully cooked let cool completely

10. Once cool you can paint.

Here is a blog with an example http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/04/01/diy-teaching-easter-to-your-preschooler/

If you do not want to go through the baking part you can use things you have at home. The picture at the top is my husband and brother when they were young creating their Easter Hill. Making the tomb out of an oatmeal box. Crosses out of twigs and Jesus out of a coloring book picture wrapped in tissue. They just used what they had around the house to recreate the scene. Having fun all while making memories and learning the Easter story. Be creative! Have Fun! Most of all teach the Easter story to your children!

Easter Bread

Another Fun activity to do with the kids. Be sure to read all the way through. This is a recipe to help explain how Jesus rose and the tomb was empty. Very cute!

Recipe

- frozen Rhodes rolls (Leave them in the fridge for about 2 hours) or crescent rolls.

- Marshmallows (big)

- Butter

- Cinnamon

- Sugar

1. Once rolls are soft, roll them out
2. Wrap the dough around a large marshmallow
3. Brush on melted butter or spray with Spray butter
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar
5. Let rise 45 minutes
6. Cook according to the directions on the Rhodes package
7. They are best right out of the oven all hot and gooey...not so great after they cool off.

As you prep are the rolls talk about what makes Easter so incredible. They placed Jesus in the tomb, but the story did not end there. A few days later the tomb was empty and Jesus had defeated death...the rolls are empty once baked.

http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2009/04/09/easter-bread/

Easter Eggs and Jelly Beans

With Easter quickly approaching the kids get excited for the Easter bunny and candy, but we need to help them really get excited for the true meaning of Easter. What Easter is really about and what it means. This activity I am about to share is great! You get to use what the kids love about Easter, plastic eggs and jelly beans to teach them about the TRUE meaning.

Place Jelly Beans of the following colors in Plastic Easter Eggs.

Black, red, white, yellow, purple, and green.

Black
Represents our sin. Explain: Sometimes we do bad things that make God sad. This is called sin. Sin stains our hearts. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned..."

Red
Represents the blood of Jesus. Explain: Jesus took our place. He died so that we can live. John 3:16, "God so loved the world..."

White
Represents our clean whiter than snow hearts. Explain: The blood of Jesus cleans our dirty hearts. He makes our heart whiter than snow. We have no more sin! Psalm 51:7, "... wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Gold/Yellow
Represents Heaven. Explain: Because we are clean, we can go see Jesus one day. He lives in a shiny place made of Gold. Revelations 21:18, "...and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass."John 14:2-3 " In my Father's house are many mansion..."

Purple
Represents Royalty. Explain: Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. King Jesus promised He will always be with you. Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you" He has sealed you with the Royal Seal.

Green
Represents growing. Explain: Every day we are growing just like the grass or a tree, or a flower. Jesus wants us to grow and know Him more every day! Peter 3:18, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope you and your children enjoy this activity.