Thank you for your Easter greetings!! Happy to report that — thanks be to God — we actually made it through the whole evening/night service, with the calming presence of my aunt! We got there at 11:30pm and left at 2am! I wanted to make jokes about it being a sleepover at church but held my tongue.

We got candles and prayed, and then the coolest part is when the priest turns off all the lights and then he lights candles and people pass the “light of Christ” person-to-person (mine went out initially from the person on my right and I had to get re-lit from my middle child). Then, we all went outside and sang together in different languages about the fact that Christ is Risen! We also made the sign of the cross with the candle each time. It was fun. The kids were smiling and enjoying being outside all together.

Afterwards, we went inside the church for the service, the prayers (everyone was praying for God’s mercy on themselves, their families, and this world!!!!!), Scripture readings, message, and communion followed by the Easter Basket blessing. It sounds short but it was looong. Long and good in my opinion, but the boys definitely barely made it. But we DID make it!!! Praise be to God!

The oldest drove us home and then we feasted on food from the Easter Basket. So, we really went to bed around 3:30.

Needless to say, today was resting, cooking, eating, resting, and seeing my dad (the oldest noticed Papa’s increased strength on the left side! We also passed on greetings from his friends). Then, I visited my mom’s gravesite and took a walk with the oldest. Finally, I got to enjoy a Moms in Prayer meeting on zoom.

We are all ready to sleep again!!! But also wired because everyone is thinking about school the next day!

I pray for rest & refreshment, and that we wake up tomorrow ready for the week. We were all happy today overall — joyful! — but definitely tired. I pray we get rest tonight!

The youngest read his devotional tonight and it was about trusting God. God, please help us trust you this week! We feel full of gratitude for this weekend. I am excited for this week!