PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

Jason had a phone interview with a Christian non profit that helps connect churches to community needs and vise versa.  Very exciting and growing ministry!!!  We were thrilled to get a message that he had an interview yesterday.....and later that same day another message saying next week on Thursday he will have an in person interview!!!!!!!  This is HUGE!!!!  A ministry that we are excited about, a position that he would fit right into wonderfully!!!!!!!!  PRAISING GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Praying that it goes well....knowing that it is all about what God has planned and not our plans ;)  right?

 Joanna's favorite part of the day I think besides snuggle time is splash in the tub time.  She gets the entire floor wet- SOAKING.  But look at that face.  How could you say anything?  I can't just mop up the floor with a towel :)

 Now she is getting some ideas......look a curtain - I could stand up with....hmmm...

And play peek a boo with....... I LIKE THIS MOMMY!

So on this wonderful Easter weekend......I have been reflecting on last year's Easter.  You see last year it was earlier of course.  Last year Joanna and I had just flown to Houston from Pennsylvania to be with our family and friends.  We spent the weekend introducing all our kiddos to their new sister.  Didn't take long for Joanna to assume the roll of beloved little baby girl in our home :)  

Remembering the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior who died on the cross just for me!  Remembering the pain we had endured losing our sweet Naomi through failed adoption, and yet, the new life that was handed to us the week prior to Easter.  Her name- Joanna Faith (God is Gracious through our faith in HIM)!  Only time Joanna's name appears in the Bible- THE EASTER STORY OF COURSE!!!

Today as it is Good Friday...I always remember that being a little twisted.  Good Friday- HELLO JESUS JUST DIED ON THE CROSS EVERYONE!!!  Then remembering.....YES HE DID for our sins!!!  So we could have EVERLASTING HOPE IN HIM!  Because Easter is coming......we have to wait....it is hard to wait.....sometimes it is really painful to wait......even a few days seems like too loooonnnngggg to live without Jesus, because it is!!!

BUT THEN GOD!!!!  God says I know you are waiting for HOPE and HERE HE IS - MY SON!!!  Come see!!!  You see after the pain of waiting the world stood in awe breath held.... (Luke 24:1-12)

Jesus Has Risen

 ¹ On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” ⁸ Then they remembered his words.

 ⁹ When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. ¹² Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 

So today is a day to prepare ourselves....will we be like the women that on that day saw the GLORY OF GOD REVEALED TO THEM?  Or like the disciples who doubted?  This is soo hard.  I mean let's be real it is kind of like Jesus' beginning right?  Who believes that a man and woman didn't sleep together...and a miracle happened and Jesus was born- I DO!!!  But is it really that easy to believe.  

I think for me....sometimes yes and sometimes no.  That is why there is a time preparation for us.  To prepare our hearts to REALLY BELIEVE.  To trust it not just because our pastor tells us, but really deep down believe.  PRAYING YOU TAKE THIS TIME to let it soak into you too.  That you will be like the women.  I can imagine their excitement all over their face!!!  The look of HOPE of PROMISE of PURE JOY!!!!!  Praying that for each one of you today :)