Church Lady: Easter Roses

As usual, I was up all night, Saturday before Easter, making myself a new dress. It wasn't just procrastination, but putting myself last as I prepared extra goodies and festivities for the next day. I don't usually put that much effort into Easter beyond making sure everyone is dressed extra decent. Haha. 

I found this fabric and fell in love with it. It's pretty and whimsical with its mis of bright roses and polka dots over the pretty shade of blue. 

The fabric actually includes a row of roses across the top that I was hoping to incorporate on the dress but couldn't quite figure out my vision. 

I had an idea in my head, but couldn't bring it to fruition. I used one of my other dresses as a pattern/guide like I usually do. The dress still came out too big and the waist too short. It was still wearable and I wasn't going to let any self doubt stop me from enjoying my new dress. I tend to make my own dresses too big, not on purpose, but can usually play it off with a belt and sweater/cardigan. 

Well, all my belts are in storage so I used an old-standby trick: ribbon! I did remember to build pockets into the skirt and I was very happy about that. I even made sleeves, which turned out well structurally but I have mixed feelings about them visually. I forgot to get a picture of them though.

I don't usually return to an already completed project but this time I know exactly what I think I can do to fix the waist and bodice and include the row of roses I wanted to use. 

Easter, Medieval Times and Goodbye for Now!

My youngest's birthday also fell on Easter Sunday this year and for the third year in a row, my oldest was leaving to the Philippines for a short term mission. It was a full day ahead but I couldn't help but at least make myself a new dress...Sunday morning right before church!

Oldest was preaching and started his message by blessing and speaking into the heart of youngest in honor of his birthday. It was the sweetest thing ever!

This seems to be how our family pictures go lately. I take what I can. haha.

For the afternoon celebrations, we surprised Kurtis with tickets to Medieval Times, dinner and show. Out of the blue, a few weeks ago he said he wanted to go. I wasn't sure if I could afford it, but being the frugal mom I am, I searched the internet for a deal and found a great discount.

I indulged him a little by purchasing an extra knighting package-the king knights him in front of everyone and announces his birthday during the show.

It was a splurge, but that's what birthdays are for right?

In between the time oldest needed to be at the airport and our celebrations at Medieval Times...we didn't do much but lounge around the house waiting. So I made a quick photo opp with free photo prop printables I found online and a green checkered piece of fabric.

It was a fun way to kill some time and capture a few Easter memories.

It was finally time to say goodbye. For the third year in a row, we drove to LAX-Tom Bradley International Airport to see oldest off to a short term mission trip in the Philippines.

Though I am used to it, I did feel a bit weepy this time.

I knew we weren't really saying goodbye...but it always requires some sort of faith and trust in God anyway. I never truly know what God may be asking of us. Often, He does ask His people to let go, in unexpected ways.

In trust I say, "See you soon son."

The silence of doubt

After four centuries of silence...finally a baby arrived...angels proclaimed him to be Messiah, THE Messiah. Now, though it felt like an eternity, only 33 years later, here He was...bleeding, dying. 

When was His glory going to be revealed? Did we misunderstand? How can the man who healed the sick, the blind, the lame, the deaf and cast out demons, just hang like that to die? What manner of MAN was this then? We thought he was God...why isn't He doing anything? How could He allow them to treat Him like this?

Was he a man after all? Did we just waste 3 years following around a man? This is going to make us look pretty stupid...the man we called the King is dying...is dead. We don't understand. It doesn't make sense. This isn't how we imagined it going down.

He's in a tomb. Locked away. Where is God now? What are we supposed to do now? What is going to happen to us? Why isn't God speaking to us? Why can't we hear him?

A massacre on Friday...once again thrown back into silence on Saturday. How foolish we must appear. But, but, but...it had to be true right? There's got to be an answer...somewhere...

It can't end like this. It can't really...can it?

In 2000 years, we're still plagued by the same doubts. The doubts the disciples, who walked, lived, and breathed with Him, experienced. Release doubt, embrace the boldness of faith.

We know how it ends...and that is where it all begins.