Holy Week 2011

In addition to this past week being vacation time for both hubby and the girls, it was also Holy Week.  This is both a busy and wonderful time of the year (and the church year) for us.  Since my hubby is the deacon at church, this means we are always a little extra involved by arriving early, helping to set up, etc.  Here are some of the highlights.

Maundy Thursday -  We try to attend all the services as a family during Holy Week, but different ages are very challenging for successful church attendance at night-time services.  So, my hubby and #1 went to the service (the highlight of which is the footwashing) and the rest of us stayed home.  It is difficult to manage a tired and grumpy baby, 2-year-old, 4-year-old, and sometimes even 6-year-old at bedtime when they are required to sit still, be quiet, and participate in the liturgy at that time of night.  Soon enough, though, they'll all be a bit older (sigh!) and this won't present as much of a challenge.

Good Friday -  Leisurely morning, taking care of plants and gardens.  Leaving home by 10:30-10:45ish for the noon service.  Solemn, but lovely service where all has been stripped bare inside the building to remind us of all Christ has sacrificed in His death.  Girls all cooperate and sit through the whole service including the veneration of the cross.  We jet down to IKEA (make that poke along in a mid-day traffic jam) and look at cabinets.  Back home later for a nice evening in.

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) - We know we have to be to church early and that the service starts at 6:00 p.m., but decided to go back to IKEA to actually purchase cabinetry.  All proceeds as planned until the order is paid for and we are informed that it will not be ready for 1 1/2 hours.  Then, we are unsure of how to proceed and go back to the van in the process, where low-and-behold, I have accidentally left open a van door the entire 3 hours in one of the busiest shopping areas in San Diego.  Hubby is horrified, I about have a heart attack, and it turns out nothing is missing (including the vehicle itself), not even the Netbook.  I think an angel was guarding it the entire time.  So, I book it for home with the kids, we change in 30 minutes and drive back to church (probably 1 1/2 hours driving just for those 2 legs of the trip).  My hubby waits for the IKEA stuff, picks it up, and goes straight to church.  Once again, the Lord is watching over us and all the cabinets in the truck stay put.  The Easter Vigil service is wonderful - my favorite of the year; I feel like I am getting a head start on Easter morning by celebrating the Resurrection at the beginning of the Jewish day (after the sun has gone down).  It is glorious to return to saying "Hallelujah" after the absence of them during Lent.

Easter Sunday - Wonderful church service, fun in Children's Church with the kids (doing the craft prepared by moi at 12:30 a.m.).  Food, fun, and fellowship afterwards while watching the kids hunt for Easter eggs.  Lunch at home later in the afternoon with family; such a blessing to have them close and be able to spend time together.  I prepared potatoes au gratin with heavy whole cream and gruyere cheese,  my first time and they turned out delicious (if I do say so myself), a real winner with the ham.

Easter, what a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our salvation, forgiveness, new life, and new beginnings (every day) in Jesus!  Happy Easter!