Easter Story Cookies

I love to do this with the kids for Easter. It is's an excellent way to reinforce the message that Easter is not just about the Easter Bunny. The cookies are ok, too. I found it on the internet when Ben was still little!

You will need:
Your family Bible
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole pecans
1 zip-lock baggie
1 wooden spoon
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
tape

Preheat oven to 300° F.
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote Him with their hands. John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

And there followed Him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented Him. Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know we belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Sing “He Sent His Son” and “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” while beating with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Talk about some of the stories of Jesus while waiting. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:20-22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and His raiment white as snow: And for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Matthew 28:1-9
HE HAS RISEN!

It's Great to Be Eight

This is the year the twin's turn eight. I cannot believe that they are already so old. It has been an amazing thing to be their mom. I love being a mom. Dewey and I have been going down memory lane quite a bit, and one of the things we were talking about was our first date. At the time, Dewey had been off his mission for just less than three months. I had come back from VA and was working and thinking about going on a mission. While on our first date we were talking about our individual futures as we were walking around and I mentioned that I wanted to go on a mission. Dewey told me later that he thought at that moment, "Not if I can help it." I struggled with that choice for two seconds, but my mom gave me great advice. She told me that I could definitely serve a mission, but to remember that starting a family was being called on a different mission. That teaching my children the gospel would be a life long mission that the Lord desperately needed so that His children would know of His plan for them. Dewey and I were engaged shortly after that conversation and I started being a mom a year after we were married.

I love being a mom. It is hard and there are times that I need a break, but those things never outweigh the joy I feel with each smile, each milestone, and  each achievement. I love watching them as they are learning something new and they get it. Like reading and putting the sounds together to make words. Or getting these multiplication tables, or understanding about baptism and the choice it really is.

Willard made a new year's resolution to read the entire Book of Mormon before his 8th birthday. He loves to read and I knew he could do it. What I didn't count on was the learning experience we would have as we  read and discussed it together. It is so much fun to share this with him. 

Joselyn has learned two new songs on the piano for her baptism. She learned When I am Baptized and The Holy Ghost. Her favorite primary song is When I am Baptized. She likes to sing the words and play it over and over. It warms my heart to hear her.

This is so special! I am so excited that Willard and Joselyn have chosen to be baptized. We have talked about the promises they are making to Heavenly Father, and the promises He has made to all those who come unto Him. I am so thankful for these children and the examples they are to me!