Saturday, April 7, 2012

Happy Easter!

One of the activities we do every year with the girls is dye Easter egg.  Here are the pictures from that.



The girls had so much fun.  And out of the 2 dozen eggs we colored on Friday afternoon there are only 4 left as of 9 pm Saturday.  The girls really love hard boiled eggs.

We are also really trying to get God's word into our daughter's hearts as well.  This morning I discovered a recipe for Resurrection Cookies.  While making cookies we talk about what each ingredient represents.  I'm not sure if the girls really understood it.  But I'll know in the days to come if they bring it back up.  Here is the recipe.

Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter

1 cup whole pecans (We used peanuts as Lexi is allergic to tree nuts.)
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

Place nuts in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.  (set bag aside.)

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into 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 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 it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.

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 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. 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 sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' 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 and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9. 

Here they are.  I hope the kids "get it" in the morning.  Have a great Easter everyone!  Remember just how much God loves you.  John 3:16