Happy Arbor Day!!

Thank you Jesus for trees! I think they are just wonderful. A childhood consisting of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree and countless viewings of Swiss Family Robinson aided in this love. Climbing, sitting, hammocking, building, resting, dreaming, eating yummy fruits, hanging twinkly lights, swinging, breathing and plenty more are possible because of these beautiful and mighty creations. Our dear Savior even paid our ransom upon a tree. Here are some of my most favorite trees from all over my little part of the world:

Cherry Blossom Trees in Conyers, GA

Athens, GA

Palm Trees in Orlando, FL

Grandfather Tree on Jekyll Island, GA

Tomorrowland Tree in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, GA

Atlantic Station Christmas Tree in Atlanta, GA

Baldwin, GA

Harris Neck Pine Tree in MacIntosh County, GA

Maple Tree outside my former college apartment window in Athens, GA

Advice from a Tree

By Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend,

Stand Tall and Proud

Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

Reflect the light of a greater source

Think long term

Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

For each yields its own abundance

The Energy and Birth of Spring

The Growth and Contentment of Fall

The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun

And delight in their presence

Look up at the moon that shines down upon you

And the mystery of stars at night.

Seek nourishment from the good things in life

Simple pleasures

Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty

Drink plenty of water

Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes

Be flexible

Remember your roots

Empty Tomb Easter Cookies

I made these cookies with my Vacation Bible School Kindergarteners two years ago and they still talk about them! Try making them with your family. They serve as a creative visual and delicious treat whilst learning and celebrating our

Risen Lord!!

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans, in a plastic baggie

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

1 pinch salt

1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees--you MUST do it now. Also, gather a cooking mallet, kitchen mixer, masking tape and Bible.

2. Read John 19:1-3 ~ Jesus was beaten for our sins; beat the nuts with a cooking mallet; set aside.

3. Read John 19:28-30 - Jesus drank something like vinegar (gall), sniff the fragrance, dip finger in and taste, too; place the vinegar in a mixing bowl.

4. Read John 10:10-11 - Egg whites symbolize Jesus' holy, innocent life; add whites to the bowl with the vinegar.

5. Read Luke 23:27 - the bitter tears of the women; taste a few grains, remember your own sins; add the salt to the bowl.

6. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16 - Sweet salvation! Taste and see; add to the bowl.

7. Crank up the mixer and let it go while you read from Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3; let the mixer go for about 12-15 MINUTES; this needs to be VERY stiff!

8. Read Matthew 27:57-60 - Fold the nuts into the egg-sugar mixture; this symbolizes the rocks in the garden.

9. Using a scoop or knife & spoon, drop by spoon into mounds (to resemble a rocky tomb); put into the oven and turn it OFF!

10. Read Matthew 27:65-66 - The tomb is sealed; use two pieces of tape (5-6 inches long) to "seal" the door edges (symbolically).

11. Read John 16:20 & 22 - Consider these passages, then go to bed!

12. NEXT MORNING: Read Matthew 28:1-9 - Jesus is risen! Behold--the empty tomb! Unseal the oven door, take out the cookies, break or bite one in half -- it should be hollow inside---empty---just like the Tomb!

13. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Recipe taken from here.