Empty Tomb Cookies

Hey! 


I know that many of you are well of aware of the Empty Tomb Cookies, but i wanted to post the recipe for those of you who may not.  This is a great "lesson" to use to help in explaining the Truth of Easter with our kiddos  If your kids are like mine they are itching to get in the kitchen and "help".  B loves to bake with me so i know this will be a great "hands on" activity to use with him.  Hope you all have a great week!


Easter Story Cookies

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
masking or packing tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300*F. Do it NOW.


Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.


Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.


Let each child smell and taste the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.


Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.


Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.


Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.


Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.


Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27


 Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.


Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.


Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.


Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.


Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.


Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.


Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!


Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

In the morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!


Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Get me to the church on time...

Yesterday was our first time back to church since the girls were born.  I am really proud of us for actually making it on time!   It was great to see so many smiling faces of friends.  Many of them were such encouragers and it blesses our family so much to see or hear from them, even if it is for just brief minute. 

 I love that we are able to drop off our children in a place where we know they will be taken care of in a loving manner.  Our oldest learned that it is pretty cool to put goldfish in his water!  Our second cried for a good bit until he was given snack...i think they learned that if they feed him he'll calm down.  That boy can eat all day if you let him!  Every time he goes into the kitchen he goes to the pantry door and says "Cracker".  And them we have the girls, they just sat with some sweet ladies and drank their milk and slept.  How great it was yesterday to know that our children were safe, happy and loved while we were able to sit under our pastor.

The subject our pastor taught on was a great one to come back to.  It affirmed in my mind and heart something I had been processing regarding a missionary family.  In college i had the opportunity to visit and serve along side them for a few weeks.  It was great to talk through this yesterday and come up with an action plan for when they are on stateside assignment next year.  So i ask that you will join with us as we pray through how we can best serve and encourage them when they are home next year. 

Happy Monday!

Let's try this again...

I have been reading a lot of blogs recently from so very smart, intelligent, and godly women and it made me remember my own blog today! HA! So here I am...

I'm going to try my best to start this anew...we will see what happens.  Life is crazy now, but whose life isn't?  Right?  I am by no means saying I qualify as one of the above stated women, but i think it will be nice to put my thoughts down...somewhere.

Since the last time I blogged, we have sold our first house, moved into a new home and had twin girls.  Plus all the other things of life that go in between.  It has been one crazy, stressful, exciting year and i would  not change a bit. 

So stay tuned, maybe blogging will catch on with me this time!