The Tomb is Empty....

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 worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me. Matthew 28:8-10

Today we celebrated Easter -- the day that Christ rose from the dead. Yes, his tomb was EMPTY!

We actually didn't celebrate Easter with family until this evening. Marc's parents came over, and we also invited our neighbor, Wayne, over. Wayne lives by himself, and his family was not able to visit for Easter. We're thankful he was able to join us for dinner. We didn't have the "traditional" Easter meal. Instead, we had lasagna, salad, bruschetta, peach pie, and ice cream. It was all very tasty.

Here's a photo of Luke's Grandma (Friesen) and Luke at the dinner table.



And, here's a photo of our dinner table with Marc's parents, Wayne, and Marc.



Quite awhile back, somebody told me that once you have a child, you really understand what God did for us -- sent His one and only son to die for our sins. Now, when I was told this, I didn't have a child. I somewhat knew what this person meant, but I also felt like even though I didn't have a child, I could still really understand what it would be to sacrifice your child.

I am now more fully understanding what this person meant. This Easter was the first Easter with Luke (Luke was merely alive in my belly last year Easter). This morning, Marc had to be at church early as he was "light man" today. So, I had some time with just Luke before church.

Several times, especially when I told him "Happy Easter" upon waking up, I had tears in my eyes. I truly can't imagine giving up my one and only son to die for others' shortcomings! What an amazing sacrifice. What an amazing day, though, that Christ did rise again. He LIVES!

Now, Easter does have its thing about little girls and pretty dresses. Boys seem to be left out on that one :) So, obviously Luke did not have an Easter dress. However, he did have an Easter shirt. Today, the shirt he wore was a debut. He hadn't worn it before. And boy, did he look cute. Here are a couple of photos!





And yes, this is the same chair we take Luke's photo on each month! You'll see another one soon, as Luke is almost 9 months old -- in another week or so.

This morning, at church, we had a wonderful service. Marc and I both really liked the music today (Thanks Adam). It was loud and glorifying. I know I could just feel Christ's presence. Besides singing "Mighty to Save" (one of my favorites), we also sang "In Christ Alone." I really took in the lyrics today. Here they are. If you don't know the song, I encourage you to go to "YouTube" and listen to it. Really read and sing the words. They're amazing!

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.