Hello Dear Reader,

Okay, I have to start right off the bat with how excited I am that it’s FINALLY Spring. While I don’t necessarily mind Winter, there’s nothing like the fresh air and beautiful skies that Spring brings. And once the flowers are all in bloom, don’t even get me started. Spring signifies the start of something new; that change is coming, and it’s always the good kind. 

Along with Spring comes a wonderful celebration, one of my favorite ones throughout the entire year — Easter!

While last year I gave some ideas on how to celebrate the actual day of, this year I got to thinking… The day of is extremely important, 100%. But sometimes, I think we forget about the entire week before — I know I do. Preparing our hearts for this miraculous event is just as important as the day itself. That’s why, I’ve got three things that can get you into the Easter spirit, reminding us that it’s not about chicks and bunnies, but of our beautiful Savior and His sacrifice for us.  

But before I give you what I like to call, “The Holy Week Preppers Kit,” let’s get into some of our regulars:

KNEE SLAPPER THURSDAY 

VERSE OF THE MONTH

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

SERVINA

While Michigan may be known for its fluctuating weather, we’ve had a few warm days mixed in with the winter reminiscent frigidity. Servina and I have been definitely taking advantage of that, going on nice, long walks. Lately, she’s also been picking up the habit of resting her paws on my toes. I have yet to get a picture of it, because somehow, I always manage to leave my phone inside. So, enjoy the one picture I did manage to get at the end of our walk!

THE HOLY WEEK PREPPERS KIT

In every preppers guide, there are always at least 3 key elements that will make that kit successful. In emergency kits, it’s something like food, water, and a source of heat or a manual. In a birdwatcher’s, it can be binoculars, bird seed, and a walking stick. A baker, it can be sugar, flour, and baking soda.

For us, I’ve narrowed it down to these:
1. Reading Material
2. Visual Material
3. Sustenance (a.k.a snacks)

Let’s dive in!

Number 1: Reading Materials

As an avid reader and writer, it only makes sense that we start with some book prep.

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R. C. Sproul

• This is a favorite of mine. From the soft graphics to the beautiful words, this is a perfect way for children, and even adults, to understand in simple terms what happened to Jesus — from the point of view of the donkey that carried Him!

The Holy Bible by God

• God did write the Bible after all, didn’t He? Meaning it is the most accurate source of information that we could ever have. Beginning in the New Testament, here is where you can find the four accounts of what happened, each offering a different perspective:

The Abditory by Sara Gherasim

• I promise this isn’t just a shameless plug! If you haven’t read it yet, this story combines both the ancient world and the modern one during the crucifixion of Jesus. Coming from the perspective of a girl from our current day, see what experiencing the death of Jesus firsthand would be like. Find your copy here!

Number 2: Our Visual Aides 

Placed in the order of the events and my recommended watch order:

Now, before watching any of these films, take it all with a grain of salt. These are works made by man, some dramatic effects added or changed for the purpose of their storytelling. Never should they be substituted for the Word of God. I will always recommend getting any information you desire directly from the source — the Bible. 

The purpose of films is to give a different perspective, especially for visual learners, like me. Seeing things on the screen can help visualize things that happened, from something as minor to the distance of one location to another to something much larger, like local customs. All in all, it’s a great tool to help in our understanding.

Number 3: The Snack

I hope that this is new for some of you, and that those of you who’ve made it before will look upon it as a classic. Here’s the recipe for these “Empty Tomb Rolls!” A beautiful significance that while, yes, Jesus died, He rose up from the grave and left His tomb empty! It’s a surefire hit for your tastebuds and remembering why we celebrate Easter!

Find it here!

BOOK REVIEW

“A.D. 30”

This month’s book is “A.D. 30” by Tedd Dekker. 

My Overall Opinion:

I’ve read several of Tedd Dekker’s books, and I must say that I have yet to find one that truly disappoints. As common with books that tackle people from the Bible, Dekker does give some characters names and backstories (i.e. the woman who touched Jesus’ garment). On top of that, he also includes Jesus as one of his characters, which from experience, can be quite tricky to do, at the risk of not doing Him justice or upsetting the reader. But I think Dekker does an excellent job of balancing it all out and bringing it to life through his storytelling. Maviah was excellent, as well as Saba and Judah. Between the two men, I couldn’t decide which one I liked more. Through twists and turns, Dekker kept me engaged the entire time. 

My Favorite Character:

I really enjoyed many of the characters, but, as our heroine, Maviah takes the cake. In general, I very much liked how her life kind of reflected that of Jesus; trying to save the same people that rejected her. Moreover, she really has everything stacked against her: a foreigner, an illegitimate child, and a slave. I also liked her grace, as she showed it through hospitality for an enemy tribe. 

Things I Didn’t Like / Would Change:

The only thing is that I wish it could’ve been longer and not left on a cliffhanger! Luckily, the second book. A.D. 33, is already out and read for me to read!

Ranking:

4.9/5 — Dekker’s storytelling ability has yet to find a rival in my opinion. 

Other Comments:

As I said above, I have read several of Dekker’s books. And while I may not have read all of them — specifically his more intense genre — the ones I have read were written impressively. His “Circle” series is particularly fantastic, balancing the modern world with fantasy. If you’d like a lighter read, his “Lost Book” series is also great. While it is written for Young Adult, it is tied in with his “Circle” series, and quite a fantastic read. 

COMING NEXT MONTH

Have a Wonderful and Blessed Easter!

See You Next Month!