My parents live about 3 1/2 to 4 hours away from us and they invited us to their place for Easter dinner this year. Rich and I left on Saturday morning, with our van FULL of children, luggage, and what-not. Saturday was spent with my husband’s dad. . .and I will write about that in the next day or so. . .
Yesterday, Easter Sunday, was spent with my family. We went to church with my parents. My brother Isaac was also there, and so were Amanda and Jason, with their family, and Nathan and Melissa were there with Makayla. We took up two pews in that little, but very warm with the spirit of God, country church.
Oh how I love church service on Easter Sunday. It is such a victorious day for believers. At the end of this post I will share some quotes from the sermon we heard preached.
Easter dinner was scrumptious. My mom was up so very early to prepare. I heard the time, “4 o’clock” at one point, and she may have been up even earlier for all I know. So, thank you Mother dear, for your excitement, your determination to get the family all together under your roof again, for the little special touches that you did–the beautiful punch bowl, the sweet decorations, the homemade food so lovingly prepared. Thank you.
We had ham (a local, farm-raised ham – the best I ever ate) ziti, corn, beans, applesauce, cottage cheese, rolls, a veggie platter, and scalloped potatoes. We also had pineapple punch.
A photo of “The Original Seven”:
Dad, Mom, David, Amanda, Shanda, Nathan, and Isaac
So very quickly we grew up, somehow we went from seven to . . . .
This large group.
Amanda with Weston, Jason with Naomi, Isaac, Mom, Dad, Shan, Rich,
Abbie, Nathan with Makayla, Melissa, Ethan, David, Maria,
Davy-do, Grace, Caleb, and Jacob
I love you all so much, I’m sitting here at my computer in my quiet early morning house, looking at all your bright faces. I feel so blessed. . .each one of you is a special gift from God. . .I have tears in my eyes as I look at this picture and my heart is full of happiness. Family is such a beautiful design of our Father in heaven. . . .each and every one of you is precious and valuable. We belong to each other.
I have to mention as well, it was also sister Amanda’s birthday. Happy Birthday Sissy!
Amanda, Mom, Shanda
Amanda and Jason, Abbie, Naomi, Weston
Nathan and Melissa, Makayla Lynn
Nathan and Melissa put together an Easter egg hunt for the kids. They all loved it, Abbie might not have loved it as much, because she fell into the crick and got her legs soaked. It was a wonder that the rest of them made it back in the house relatively clean.
Naomi and Makayla
All the candy and sugar made for One Very Happy family.
“We as believers, tend to focus of the death of Christ in our witness. . .we need to also speak of Christ’s resurrection.”
“He rose again for me!”
“He lives for me!”
“He’s coming back for me!”
“If we believe in the resurrection of Christ it causes us to be transformed.”
“Walk in the newness of life.”
“Christians ought to be the most joyful and enjoyable people on earth (because we believe in the resurrection)”
(note to self: Am I enjoyable?)
“Too many people stop at the cross. I see too many crosses with Jesus still on it. The Christian symbol should be the empty tomb”
“Why does anyone believe in the resurrection? (really truly believe) We believe because of special revelation from God. The Lord opens the heart through His Word and the preaching of His Word..”
“. . .flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee,
but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)
“What do you do if you hear the preaching of the Word yet feel nothing in your heart? Cry out to God. . .pray to Him. . .and He will save you“
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” (Ps. 145:17-19)
“My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:
and let all flesh bless his holy name FOREVER AND EVER.”
Psalm 145:21
Good to be Home 
Love all the great pictures of your wonderful family! I say all the time that we believers should be the most joyful, peaceful, loving people around. We have all the resources of God at our deposal! Our eternity is secure! We have a loving Father! WOW! We are so blessed!
It sounds like you had a wonderful day with all of your family. I finally have added one post–I am learning!! God really spoke to me on Easter Sunday and I feel so much better after going through somewhat of a dry time.
What beautiful faces, all full of joy and love! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful day!
I love the quote about being enjoyable. I need to ask myself that too!
Thank you for sharing!
It definitely looks like a day full of joy ~ your heart must still be smiling this morning!
What a big, beautiful family! Oh, and little Weston! He’s so big now… amd he looks like he is doing well
Thank you for sharing your Easter with me; it was a blessing.
You’re quite enjoyable to me. Sam and his friend, Linda, were running around on Saturday saying, “Jesus is coming!” We were shocked b/c I don’t think we’ve really talked to him about that. He’s right, though!!!
Happy Easter to you too, Shanda! Joyeuse fête de Pâques à toi aussi, Shanda! He is risen, isn’t it awesome?!!! blessings from France. delphine
What a beautiful family! It’s so nice having everyone together, isn’t it? Thank you for the lovely pictures….Suz
I loved this post! It was so full of Christ and Family. My two most favorite things in the whole world! Glad you had such a blessed Easter! 🙂
What a sweet family! And you’re right, “family is such a beautiful design”….
“…God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.” It gives us HOPE!You had a lovely time with your family….I am so glad you did. Your pictures are beautiful.
I’m glad you all had such a nice time, the pictures are evidence of that. We had a wonderful service yesterday, as well. Hope you have a lovely day.
Such a beautiful post with a large, beautiful family pictured!
I loved seeing your beautiful family and finally having time to read the last few posts…..beautiful! We had a wonderful day…a great service and a family gathering at my sis Mary’s …..she will have the pictures Lord bless your day! Jenny
I’m so glad you all got to get together. I talked to A. this morning and she sounded so refreshed after being with family for a few days.
I loved seeing all your family pictures. Seeing Weston’s grin made me smile.
Hallelujah, Christ arose! The day that we celebrate the resurrection IS such a triumphant day! Your family is beautiful. I’m so happy that you had a wonderful weekend with loved ones!
I am happy for you all. Those times when all can gather together are so special. I had no idea that the last time our family was all together..that it would not happen again for a very long time….With two sons in the military – well, you understand.I just tell the kids that our door is always open…Yesterday we had two of our five children here…with two of the grands. It was a good day..in spite of the fact that my little E was sick. Hey, she only “ralphed” once! :o)Loved the family photos…And a belated Happy B-Day to your sista!Dawnxo
Such sweet pictures and wonderful family memories. Looks like a great time! Happy Easter!
Your post made me SMILE. What a beautiful family, the original 7 as well as the new expanded version. God has truly blessed you my friend. LOVE Makayla’s dress, very sweet.
What a lovely, joyous day you had with family — love the photos!
The idea of showing the original seven first and then the whole gang was really great! I had so much fun looking at them all!
Enjoyed your quotes from the sermon and the description of the egg hunt.
love the shot of your family~ you looked so pretty in your Easter duds!great.fun.sweet post. the happiest days are spent w/ those we love the best. 🙂
Just so beautiful what a blessing to have such a great family
sandy
Looks like you had a good time with your family — great post!
I love this post and I am so glad that your whole family was able to get together for Easter and share your love with eachother! Love you! Lish
I am so glad for lovely you and your lovely Mom to have your lovely family together for Easter. Thank you for sharing the day with us. Thank for the great quotes! I loved the empty tomb emphasis. I am so glad He arose for you and for me! blessings and love from SC.
What beautiful and sweet pictures! How special to all be together to celebrate Easter!!! I love all of the family pictures! I missed my family so much that day!! I did make almost the same meal though! :o) Yummy!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures and what a blessing the quotes were as well.
Precious family! Loved seeing them all.
I love the family pictures – SO precious. It looks like you have awesome parents and siblings, and it is neat that you all share close enough relationships to enjoy getting together like this.Your mom’s Easter dinner sounds absolutely scrumptious.