Friday, March 21, 2008

Favorite Foto Friday - Easter




After looking at the date on the computer I'd say this was the last Easter picture I have of Brent. (Pretty sure I didn't even make pics of Zach & Gabe last year) I'm SO THANKFUL for photography and how far it's come. =-)


For more pics on this "Foto Friday" visit "Kiss the Frog 4 Me."



Now, before I go I'd like to share a great way to explain the Easter Story to our little ones. (The cookies really are yummy)




Tomb Cookies


Ingredients

Bible

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape





1. Preheat oven to 3000 F or 1500 C.

2. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read: John 19:1-3. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted
together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck Him in the face.

3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the
Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."


5. 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 shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins.

Read Luke 23:27. A large number of people followed Him, including women who
mourned and wailed for Him.


6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of 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. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes
refuge in Him.

John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."


7. 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. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."


John 3:1-3. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the
Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a
teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are
doing if God were not with Him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."


8. Fold in broken nuts.

9. Line the cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60. As evening approached, there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate,
he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

10. Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matthew 27:65-66. "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as
secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on
the stone and posting a guard.


11. Go to bed. Explain that they 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. "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world
rejoices. You will grieve, buy your grief will turn to joy."

And John 16:22 "So with you~ Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice that the
cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them, "Greetings," He said. They came to Him, clasped his feet and worshipped Him.






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8 comments:

Sarah said...

I am sure it is painful to think of some of those "lasts" with your gorgeous son! I am sure this time of year helps console you to know that you will be together again in Heaven someday. Your sons are so handsome!

I am going to have to try out those tomb cookies!

Stephanie said...

Hi Tonya,
I love the picture of the boys! Their pictures are always handsome, even the mischevious ones. I know that you treasure each and every picture of the three of them together. Just think of what the picture will look like when you are all joined together again.

Happy Easter, sweet friend!
Love,
Stephanie

Young Creations said...

The pictures sure are wonderful. I have been reading your caringbridge site for a while. I hope you have a great Easter with your family.
Lauren

Kelley said...

WOW! What an awesome way to make the experience real for children! I will hold on to that recipe and use it with the children in my world.

The picture of your boys is great! They are so good looking (and I am not just saying that, they are really stiking!). It is a blessing that we have pictures and video to help us remember our loved ones over time. For Christmas one year my Aunt made me a DVD of our old family films. It has some goofy music in the background since the movie cameras of that time didn't have sound. It is a treasure!!

Have a good Good Friday!
Love, Kelley

Jenileigh said...

Great picture! Thanks for the recipe. Have a great Easter!

Amy S. said...

Happy Easter to you Tonya! I hope you have a wonderful day with those handsome boys.
Much love to you my friend!

"He Has Risen"..
.............."He Has Risen Indeed"

Love and Hugs...

Mom Of 3 said...

Great picture. Thank you for sharing! Have a very blessed Easter!

Rebekah said...

Oh Tonya - I just wanted to say thank you so much for being YOU and for being so open and honest about all that you travel through - I won't even pretend to understand your grief but the fact that you can share it and you have amazing boys to help you along ... what a blessing you have! May God continue to hold you close!

God Bless!