An Eggcellent Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year. Not nearly as bad as the title of this post! We had 5, yes 5, Easter parties! When did we get so popular? Our playgroup here in Vernal is extraordinary and we are very sorry to be leaving it. Thanks to the playgroup we had an egg dying party, 2 egg hunts, and got to see the Easter Bunny! The other parties included Hunter's school party which consisted of a chapel service. Then on Easter Sunday we went to our cousin's the Sinks where we had a delicious dinner and hunted more eggs. Through all the fun and games we did not forget the true reason we celebrate this season. Easter morning the kids and I made Resurrection Cookies which was a fun and enlightening experience. Hunter is at the age where learning about the Savior is exciting and he has so many questions. I am grateful for the scriptures and the answers they provide. I have included the recipe and recommend it to anyone who wishes to bring the spirit of the holiday into the hearts of their children. Happy Easter! Resurrection Cookies ingredients: Bible, tape , zipper bag, wooden spoon , 1 C whole pecans, 1 C sugar, 1 tsp vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch of salt. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is a very important step, don't wait until you are half done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break in to small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19: 1-3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp 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. Explain that eggs represent life and Jesus gave his life for us. Read John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it, then brush it into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. Read Luke 23:27. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Rea Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by the teaspoon onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mount represent the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was lain. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Put cookie sheet into oven, close door, and turn oven off. (do not bake cookies). Give each child a piece of tape and "seal" the oven door shut. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Go to bed. Explain to children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed and they had to leave. Read John 16:20&22. On Resurrection morning open the oven, give everyone a cookie, and have them take a bite. Notice that the cookie is hollow. Explain that Jesus' followers were amazed and surprised to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28: 1-9. I didn't leave the cookies overnight, we did it before church and opened the "tomb" when we got home and the cookies turned out. Hunter loved this, and even Jackson got into it when we were beating the pecans. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the pictures of all the Easter fun! Be warned there are a lot of them, so enjoy!