He is Risen!!!

We hope you all had a glorious Easter weekend! We had a wonderful weekend with family. We went to St Johns yesterday and had dinner with Eric's family. They got a ramp for their front porch and his Dad rigged it so that Eric could get his wheelchair in their house. This was the first time Eric had been in their house since Thanksgiving when Eric was still walking much more. It's nice to know that Eric can still go home and access the house. Eric's brother made Eric a puzzle that says "The Joy of the Lord is your strength" in a cross and he framed it with some pictures we had done the summer of 2007 with the siblings. It is very special to us. Thank you, Jary. We have been enjoying nicer weather compared to earlier this week. Today, we went to church and remembered all that Christ did for us on the cross and how He did not stay in the grave. He is Risen and sitting by God's right hand in heaven preparing a place for us in eternity with Him. We sang one of my favorite songs by Newsong called "Arise" Some of my favorite words are
"God looked down on his Son and said. Arise, my love. Arise, my love, the grave no longer has a hold on you! No more death's sting, no more suffering! Arise!!!!
Aren't we so thankful first of all for Christ's sacrifice by taking our sin on the cross and most of all that He is Risen. We, too have that promise of life after death if we are a child of his. We will have no more of death's sting and no more suffering in heaven. It's hard to think about that while we live here on earth, but I think of how people with ALS and cancer do suffer and it brings me comfort to know that those who have gone on to be with Christ no longer have to suffer.
I have a hard time explaining the meaning of Easter to my 6 year old daughter who loves to get Easter baskets and hunt for candy at Easter, but I keep trying knowing that someday she will understand fully. We did have two Easter egg hunts this weekend which were fun for the kids.
This Spring break has flown by. It started out kind of rough hearing of the suicidal death of a dear friend of Eric's parents. It was so sad seeing his wife and thinking of the loss that she feels from him being gone so suddenly. It made us think a lot of all the hurting people out there that think that death might be a better option than living. I know depression plays a big part in this and also that Satan would like nothing more than to tell you that you are right. Talking to people this week about this really surprised me how many people said they could relate to feeling this way at some point in their life. It sure makes me want to tell people how much I love them and how much more our Father, in heaven loves them! Suicide is so irreversible and can change so many lives in seconds. It was just heartbreaking. I know he will be greatly missed by so many. Zach got sick in the car on the way home from St Johns that night and it was snowing to start off our Spring break.
The rest of our week was very relaxing. We watched Michigan State win and then lose in the Final 4 with some friends here. We went to stay at a hotel in Lansing with the Stelma family on Tues night. It was fun hanging out with them by the pool, in the room and getting ALL the food from the concierge lounge. I am not looking forward to getting up early again tomorrow but I am very happy to be nearing the end of tax season!
Be blessed this Easter!
Love,
Lori