The Easter Song...

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6

What a wonderful Easter!

I woke up this morning a bit tired from my late night last night (stayed up until 2:30am watching the Astros game - who won!) Finished getting ready just in time for worship practice.

Got to see my baby Joshua who is growing up SO FAST! Crazy how quickly babies change. . .

Service was amazing! Afterwards Pastor Cecil and Evelyn took Jaclyn and I out for an Easter lunch! So sweet of them! The food was delicious and we had such a lovely time in fellowship. They also had gotten Jacs and I each a giant Lindor egg!

We were back by 3pm and I was able to phone home before my family went off to church! Talked to my mom and dad, the twins, my brother Jeremy, and my sister Emily. . . almost the whole clan :)

Watched a movie before taking what I thought was gonna be a short power nap before the evening service. Ha! Something happened to my alarm and if Abigail hadn't of come to my room at 6:20pm I would've probably slept through the service!

Which would've been a shame cause it was even better than this morning! We had a  Celebration service! After worship from the JCC worship team, we had an African choir lead some songs. . . Oh my word the place was buzzing! Everyone was on their feet dancing! At one point 90% of the congregation was dancing in a huge conga like circle around the church! It was brill! Energy and excitement galore!

To end the night, four of the youth did a drama and the anointing fell like the giant bucket of water at Splashtown! It was like WOOSH! I got the Holy Spirit goosebumps and everything. To say they did incredible is an understatement!

Altar call and then one last song of "Look What the Lord Has Done" - Daniel Wright's favorite :)

Ultimately a fun and life-giving night!

Came back to my room to pack for tomorrow's youth trip to Alton Towers . . . however, I had a really hard time focusing, and found myself doing everything but packing!

Made some dinner, cleaned my room - kinda, watched the last 3 innings of the Astros game (a come from behind win!), And then I had this great idea to Skype my sister Melody. . . thought maybe it would help to talk to someone while I packed - ya right! She got online and then my older brother Jonathan got on and then my other brother and sister came into the room too so all 5 of us were chatting. It was so good to visit with all of them so I don't regret the time spent - however it did put me packing much later and I have finally decided to call it a night and finish packing in the morning (now that I will probably regret!)

Best conversation of the night with the sibs was as follows;

Emily: "OMG did you know that Stevie Wonder was at Angelus Temple this morning?!?"
Julie and Melody: "Yes, Emily"
Emily: "I mean, that's a big deal! I thought he was dead!!"
Jonathan: "It truly is Resurrection Sunday."
 

Lastly, I wanted to share a wee clip. I grew up listening to the 70's/80's Christian singers - some birthed out of the "Jesus Movement" (Keith Green, John Michael Talbot, Amy Grant, Terry Talbot, etc. . .) I love Keith Green and though he died tragically before I was born I always wished I could've heard him live. This song is my favorite of his and one of my all-time favorite songs period, although I usually only listen to it on Easter. . .

Well I have a busy week ahead of me! I'll be in England until Wednesday night so I shall write then about the adventures that occur on the trip!

 -J

ps Happy Birthday to my dear friend - the one and only Rachel Kirk! I am so blessed to have her in my life and thankful that the Lord has brought us together!