Jesus took in that breath

High noon in the valley of the shadow
When the deep of the valley was bright
When the mouth of the tomb shouted,
"Glory, the groom is alive"
So long, you wages of sin go on,
Don't you come back again
I've been raised and redeemed;
You've lost all your sting
To the victor of the battle at
High noon in the valley
In the valley of the shadow

And the demons, they danced in the darkness
When that last ragged breath left his lungs
And they reveled and howled
At the war that they thought they had won

But then, in the dark of the grave
The stone rolled away
In the still of the dawn on the greatest of days

High noon in the valley of the shadow
When the shadows were shot through with light
When Jesus took in that breath
And shattered all death with his life
Be gone, you wages of sin
Go on, don't you come back again
I've been raised and redeemed
You've lost all your sting
To the victor of the battle
High noon in the valley of the shadow

Let the people rejoice
Let the heavens resound
Let the name of Jesus, who sought us
And freed us forever ring out

All praise to the fighter of the night
Who rides on the light
Whose gun is the grace of the God of the sky

High noon in the valley of the shadow
When the shadows were shot through with light
When the mouth of the tomb shouted,
"Glory, the Groom is alive"
Be gone, you wages of sin
Go on, don't you come back again
I've been raised and redeemed
All praise to the king
The victor of the battle
High noon in the valley
In the valley of the shadow

easter day!!

easter is my FAVORITE holiday. hello? Jesus rose from the DEAD?? are you kidding me?! that is SO cool. i mean, anyone can die, but to stinking RISE up again? sheesh. i just love it!! and, i mean, i'm all about easter bunnies and eggs and stuff, but i really wanted my kids to hear the REAL easter story. we've been reading it all week and they colored this with crayons (just one of them - don't know how to break it up) on regular printer paper, then they rubbed the back of it with a cotton ball soaked with oil and voila! it made it a stained glass window!! they've been so pretty hanging in our window all week, and today they get to take them home.

we also did the legend of the sand dollar thanks so an AMAZING friend who collects sand dollars and let me have THIRTY of them!! each of my kids got one to break open to see the doves and one to take home whole. it. was. awesome!!!! they LOVED it. i just hope they make them home whole...i painted them with glue, so here's hoping to in-tact sand dollars for easter!!!

today was insane. we had a "wacky weather" field trip from the creative discovery museum that we booked way back in august, so we didn't realize it was our easter party day, but no worries! it worked beautifully! then we had our easter party craft and snack, then we hunted eggs with the 3rd grade!! then a surprise visit from the easter bunny topped it off as the funnest day ever! and the kids were great!!!! exclamation points!!!!!!!!! but don't forget the reason for the celebration:

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!!!

sand dollars!

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

There's a pretty little legend

That I would like to tell

Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely,

You'll see that you find here

Four nail holes and a fifth one

Made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter lily,

Its center is the star

That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia,

Etched on the other side

Reminds us of His birthday,

Our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open,

And here you will release

The five white doves awaiting

To spread Good will and peace.

This simple little symbol,

Christ left for you and me

To help us spread His Gospel

Through all eternity.