Journals...

It's been awhile since I've blogged, but many words have continued to fill my journals with heartaches, victories and "stories" of God's continued faithfulness! I'm sure you have many notebooks filled with truths as well...many quotes of where God met you noted in your Bible, stretched upon your Bible studies and hidden in your hearts! That is what is so exciting and real about God's relationship with us~it continues to awaken our senses to His presence.

As we approach Easter, I was shopping in our local market store and there on the end isle was various sprinkles! I don't often see colored sprinkles and fancy little Easter decorations to atop cupcakes, cakes and pastries...but, there they were nestled among Easter Egg dying kits, паска cloths and other preparations of the season! Easter is a big holiday in our part of the world. Many come to church only at Easter, they light their candles and they miss the relationship of knowing what it's like to have many "personalized notes" in the journal of their hearts. Pray that the hearts of Ukrainians will yearn for the real meaning of Easter.

I, as well, found myself taken aback at the reality of Easter steadily approaching us! With the continual upheaval of our family, there is a constant pulling of our attentions in different directions. Our thoughts can easily get focused on good things, on other things, on important things...but, I was glad that I was encouraged to work through a study called Why Easter Matters that reminds me of His sacrifice. 

My Journal Entry

I read Luke 22:17-20 "After taking the cup, He gave thanks...And He TOOK the bread, gave THANKS, and BROKE it, and GAVE it to them, saying, "THIS IS my body given for you; do this in REMEMBRANCE of Me.""

Jesus was handed the cup (in essence) and He took it. He chose to take the bread. And He even gave thanks. He knew that it meant death, He knew what taking it would require. And then, He broke it. I'm going to read into that as, He broke death. He broke sin. He overcame and was resurrected (not sure if that is the picture intended, but...) And then, what does He do???!! He says, THIS is my body given for YOU. He gives US the broken bread. Am I willing to put out my hand and take it, to share in His suffering?? Am I willing to give thanks? Do I remember that He has overcome death and sin and given newness of life in Him?? 

 Trip to Budapest obtaining visas

 Happy faces after receiving school report cards

 Excited children traveling to Greece-AGM

Kid's in the park-fighting off Evil!