Christ is Risen!

We had an unforgettable Easter!

On Good Friday, after a week of reading about Jesus' last week on earth, we watched this movie:

Though it is animated, it is a powerful depiction of what Easter is all about.  Toby is a very visual kid and I knew it might make more sense to him to SEE the story on film, rather than just read words about it.  I didn't expect much more than that.

But when it came to the scene of Jesus dying on the cross, taking our sins upon himself so that we could be saved....Toby wept.  I didn't know why he was crying, but when the movie was over, I asked him.  He said he was crying because Jesus had to die on the cross.  I asked, "And do you know why He died?"  Toby said, "He died for me."  Yes, sweet boy, He died for you and for all of us!  We talked for a few more minutes and he prayed and thanked Jesus for dying for Him so that his sins could be forgive and "for taking the darkness away."  He focused a lot on darkness - because that is what he's been battling for 11 years.  He came to us with so much darkness in his heart - always drawn to what was dark or evil or black or representing death.  He was scared at night because of the darkness.

But on Friday night, that darkness was GONE from Toby's life forever!  And in its place....LIGHT!  Jesus said in John 8:12:

"I am the LIGHT of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of LIFE." 

The change in his heart and in our home has been miraculous.  Only Jesus could have the power to change a life so drastically.  Toby woke up the next morning and took down his poster of Darth Vader because he didn't want darkness above his bed.  He was filled with a light and a joy that has not been there.  

So, we had a DOUBLE reason to rejoice on Sunday morning!

Earlier in the week, we tried dying eggs the traditional way - using yellow onion skins, red cabbage and beets!

 On Friday morning, the boys made cross stain-glassed sun catchers.

We woke up on Saturday morning to a fresh layer of snow!  It was a good reminder of Isaiah 1:18, 

"...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..."

 

 Then later on Saturday, each boy got to decorate a dozen eggs.  These were the first for Joe and Toby!

 It was really special to watch Toby decorate his eggs.  He took such time and care with each one - and on almost every single one of his eggs, he drew a cross.  This was entirely unprompted, but it was so wonderful to see that already, he knows the true meaning of our Easter celebrations!  On one egg, he asked me how to write "Our King" in English!

On Sunday morning, we celebrated with friends and Ukrainian Easter bread: "Paska"!  Toby was never allowed to have it in the orphanage, due to his diagnosis of Celiac disease - but he had always wished to try it.  This year, he got all the "paska" he wanted as we celebrated the "Bread of Life!"  

 Our friends from Vegas, the Pickett Family, came to enjoy the day with us!  It was so wonderful to have them celebrate with us and make the day feel extra special - especially since Josh had to work and couldn't be there with us.

We praise the Lord for His gift of new life in Christ!  We are especially thankful that our Toby has come to know the Risen Savior in such a beautiful, personal way!