He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Easter kind of gets the shaft over Christmas. Even in my life as well. I was listening to a sermon that really made me think about the Fall of man and what Christ really accomplished on the cross. It made Easter season more poignant and joyful. It encouraged my heart to really see how truly lost I was and redeemed I am.

For Jesus' death and resurrection to really mean something to us, we have to believe when sin entered in the world we lost everything. Nothing was untouched by the pervasive stench of sin, leaving all broken and bent. We are not just a little bad or half dead. We truly are dead in our sins and unable to resurrect ourselves even the slightest. Easter is all about Jesus addressing this impossible problem we have because of the Fall. He has victory over sin and death. All will be made new.

It's really awesome. Hallelujah!

My parents flew in from Georgia to spend a few days with us. Davis had Good Friday off. My parents had never seen any of the desert west, the setting of nearly all western movies. We spent two nights in Capitol Reef National Park. Here are some of the pictures...

Sunset shortly after we arrived

castle rock

these good people raised me and treated us to a nice weekend

I love this guy

rocks are cool

colors of the desert

sweet mom

getting coloradical in utah

picnic spot

hike to the arch

desert in bloom

arch

this guy under the arch

my turn under the arch

parents under the arch (and to show scale)

It was a beautiful desert park. We enjoyed all the rocky vistas, the river supplying life to orchards, petroglyphs, and time together. Sometimes living so far away from family is really hard. I am thankful we were able to celebrate Easter together and see more of this beautiful earth. We made it back into town Saturday afternoon after taking a scenic tour of Utah. Davis played his according and trombone for music at church. Easter dinner was hosted by friends in town. Overall, it was such a great treasure to share the day with so many.