bissisterhood // He is Risen, Indeed!

Lent came and went this year and that's okay. It was all okay. In fact, is was better than okay. It was good. All of it was good. Even the not so good was good because we were together, trying, and putting one foot in front of the other.

What was so amazing is, even though I started feeling a little down towards the end, He met us where we were anyways. And it was good.

We were getting hit time after time with one virus or another, I had a feeling we were going to miss the Triduum Masses and my heart was sinking as each day passed us by.

The Wednesday before Holy Thursday arrived and my oldest was getting over the stomach bug while my youngest got hives after eating asparagus. Since that time, his hives have not gone away. They've come and gone for almost a full week now, which is just crazy-town. Needless to say, we did not go and spread our tummy bug germs. We also did not bring the itchy and irritable two year old to Easter Vigil. 

But. Yes, there is a but. We did make it to Easter Sunday Mass. We managed to all stay mostly healthy (the youngest was still sporting the magical hives that made it their business to disappear only to reappear in all the places). But, come Sunday, off to Mass we went and I was excited!

Only, we didn't get there in time to find a seat in the sanctuary. Again, my heart sank. I wanted all the beauty that was to be had in every corner of church through word, song, and view that day. I wanted it all. Then something in me resigned and encouraged our little family to make our way to the gym for the overflow Mass. In my head, all I heard was *womp womp* but in my heart there was a little voice saying Trust.

Oh friends, how Jesus met me in my prideful resignation! It was as if He was saying, Come little heart. Have you so little trust?

I walked into the mostly empty gym, where each basketball hoop was turned into a white pot filled with sweet white flowers. The alter was at the center towards the back dressed beautifully. The choir was set and ready to go and brought me to tears from all the beauty coming from their hearts. The pulpit was dressed and surrounded by more beautiful white lilies. The aisles, the colors, the resounding voices that made me feel like I was listening to all the angels in heaven, and just all the effort towards beauty and goodness were there. It was the most beautiful thing ever! It really was!

See, I walked in sure that I was going to see a random screen on display with a ton of chairs split by an aisle on a basketball court. What I came into was a small sanctuary ready to celebrate His Resurrection. And while Mass on a screen is still Mass and still wonderful, this preparation was a gift my heart didn't know it needed.

It reminded me of a priest when I was on a day retreat looking for a garden to sit, pray, and reflect in. I was determined on finding a beautiful garden. I knew they had many on the grounds. I asked a passing priest to point me in the right direction.

He smiled the biggest smile, looked straight into my soul and said, Look around us. There are flowers everywhere!

Yes, Lord. There are flowers everywhere. Today and on that Easter Sunday. Thank you for every last one of them.

Now, onto our day and all. the. memories!

Family photo after Mass. The bow ties weren't easy to get on, but stayed on with mostly no problemos after. Mama-win!

 My in-laws were in town and we had such a blessed time with them. It felt so good.

My brother and his girlfriend spent the morning to afternoon with us too. So nice when we all get to go to Mass together. I know the boys love having them around. 

Easter baskets from the grandparents!

It rained a lot on Sunday and was pretty muggy but we were able to still grill and have some fun outside.

Cascarones make me all kinds of happy. Christ is Risen!

Look at that little one preparing to get his daddy. Him and my father-in-law were the main targets. My mother-in-law and I were just fine with that.

The boys absolutely loved the cascarones!

My youngest was the sweetest when it came to cracking eggs on others. He would poke a whole and then just gently shake out the confetti.

My oldest was all about the cracking!

Grilling is our favorite. All the yum was had that day!

Roasted veggies, chips and guac, beverages...all the yum!

Then after our bellies were full, my amazing husband brought out the guitar and we continued our new little to-do of singing worship together. It was beautiful.

Every moment.

Even the silly ones.

Good Triduum, good weekend, good family time, and great Easter Sunday.

After Holy Spirit and His Goodness helped me out of myself, this whole season proved to be so very fruitful. I'm thankful, humbled, and so very grateful for His Perfect Love, for all He has done for us and continues to do for us, and for the seasons that come and go, giving us all the opportunities to grow in love and wisdom.