Easter Blessings

        Easter has recently become one of my favorite holidays. (I know I say that about every holiday, but this year Easter has been especially meaningful for me.) Yesterday we celebrated the Easter EGGstravaganza at the church with almost 100 kids! A very fun day of pancakes, egg hunting, crafts, bounce house, games, and a puppet show. This year I had the opportunity to host the puppet show and it was great. Working with our puppets is always fun, especially when they start ad-libing. I definitely had to keep from laughing a few times! The main message was based off m&ms.... Miracle of Mercy, Worthy of Worship, Eternal Life for Everyone, and 3 days in the tomb (or God is 3 in one). If you keep turning a package of m&ms they'll become w's, e's, and 3's. The kids were a little mesmerized by that idea, but I think the parents thought it was clever. It was such a joy to watch the children's faces as they enjoyed the puppet show and hopefully learned something about Jesus!

        Easter is a holiday that I haven't been home for in over 5 years. It was always right after spring break so it didn't make sense to travel back to California for such a short weekend. I have spent this holiday in many ways, with various family members and friends, but one thing that has been consistent is my opportunity to worship at First Free Methodist Church on this special morning. I have been reflecting lately on how blessed I am to be surrounded by a community that loves and cares for me as one of their own. Whether it is through a hug or a kind word, I know that there are many people who care for me (and whom I care for as well). I may not have friends who are my age or who are in a similar life situation, but the beauty of community is that it can be made out of any group of people who are intentional about loving each other and living life together. Better yet, living life together with the common purpose of loving Jesus and following him daily.

Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Cuddles and Easter time

Monday nap times are the best because the kiddos are all worn out from the weekend and from not taking naps for their parents at home. We're required to provide a two hour rest period, but there is usually at least one or two children who don't ever fall asleep. My co-teachers and I try and use nap time to prepare lessons, clean toys, and get things done around the classroom. But today was a little different. All the kiddos were sleeping so we definitely could have gotten things done, but I felt like we were in a good place for the week. As I sat and watched the children sleep I felt like a proud parent filled with love. Some of the kids were rolling around a lot like they were having trouble, a few were coughing, and one little boy kept making frustrated faces like he was having a crazy dream. It was all that I could do to not pick them up and just hold them while they slept! One little girl did wake up and came crawling into my lap for a few cuddles and ended up going back to sleep. Probably one of my favorite moments of today. Post-nap cuddles are the best.

I really do love my kids at work like they were my own. After all, I spend 30 or more hours a week with them! Today we had chapel and afterwards one my boys kept telling me, "Jesus rode on a donkey. Jesus rode on a donkey because it is Easter time and Jesus is here!" It was so sweet. We did a stained glass window (tissue paper) art project and I decorated the classroom windows with flowers and eggs. Tomorrow we're doing a sensory table with Easter grass, eggs, bugs, animals, and whatever else we can find to throw in there. Easter has definitely arrived in the Orange Giraffe class! 

A Joyful Vacation

This past week I was blessed with the opportunity to take a trip back east and visit many people who are near and dear to my heart.

I started my trip in Boston with my bestie for life, Kayla. I can't believe we met so long ago and have continued to be such good friends no matter where life takes us. We could go months without seeing each other or even talking and when we're together again it's like no time has passed at all. She is a huge blessing in my life and I'm so sad there is a whole country between us, but I know we will always be there for each other.

From Boston, I traveled to Connecticut where I got to meet my sweet baby "niece" and spend the day with some family I don't see very often. Growing up we would travel back to New York/Connecticut at least 2 or 3 times a year to visit my grandparents and dad's side of the family. I remember loving these trips and now wish that we weren't so far apart. It's fun to hear stories of my grandparents or things that happened when my aunts and uncles were growing up. There's just something about getting together with family that makes my heart happy.

I ended my quick trip with a stop in Philadelphia where I spent the day with the Gupta family. This sweet family encourages me so much and I'm so thankful for their continued friendship even though we're far away now. The Guptas are always in my prayers, being on the move and with little Libby going through chemo. I wish I was closer to help babysit and get good advice (on just about everything) from Amy :)