Month 11: Mourning into Dancing

Two weeks ago, my mom and I took Zoë to see "Cinderella" in the movie theater. She loved the Frozen Fever short beforehand, but within minutes of the actual movie and seeing the death of Ella's mother, Zoë asked, "Can we go home now?" It wasn't because she was bored or scared, but because the beginning of the story was so, so sad.

"Just wait, it will get better," I said.
Later, when the father died, she asked again, "Can we just go home, please?"
"Don't worry, honey. It is really sad right now, but trust me - it is going to get better!"

Again, after witnessing the cruelty of the stepmother, she asked, "Can we go home?!"
"Wait! We're almost to the good part!"

And indeed, when Cinderella twirled around that ballroom in her gorgeous blue gown, you could just see the dancing in Zoë's eyes. But you really can't have the thrill of her magical night and the happy ending without first seeing all the sadness in her life up to that point. The depth of the sadness is what makes the joy so great in the end.

'"My body is like this bread. It will break," Jesus told them. "This cup of wine is like my blood. It will pour out." "But this is how God will rescue the whole world. My life will break and God's broken world will mend. My heart will tear apart - and your hearts will heal. Just as the Passover lamb died, so now I will die instead of you. My blood will wash away all of your sins. And you'll be clean on the inside - in your hearts." "So whenever you eat and drink, remember," Jesus said, "I've rescued you!"' (The Jesus Storybook Bible, pg. 292, The Servant King: The Last Supper)

This past week, Zoë and I have been reading through the journey of Jesus, from riding the donkey into Jerusalem and all the way through the cross. I watched as her eyes grew wide as we read about the whipping and the blood and the nails. I heard myself echoing those words, "Don't worry - it's going to get better!"

To have the great joy and celebration of Easter, there first must be a very gruesome and dark "Good" Friday.

'"Jesus could have rescued himself [...] Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, he could have just said a word and made it all stop. Like when he healed that little girl. And stilled the storm. And fed 5,000 people. But Jesus stayed. You see, they didn't understand.  It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love." (pg. 304, The Sun Stops Shining: The Crucifixion)

We will never understand the greatness of Christ's love until we first grasp the greatness of His sacrifice. It is the depth of sadness of recognizing the pain and the cost endured because of His great love that makes our hearts overflow with such joy and relief and gratitude as we praise a Risen Savior on Easter morning. Jesus - the one who poured himself out for us, took on our shame and our blame, conquered death and rose victorious - this Jesus has turned our mourning into dancing. May we dance with total abandonment, with our eyes fixed on the One leading our steps.

'"The angel asked them, "What are you doing here? This is a tomb and tombs are for dead people." "Jesus isn't dead anymore!" he said. "He's alive again!" (pg. 313, God's Wonderful Surprise: The Resurrection)

It has been a joy to walk through these stories with Zoë Anastasia - "Life" and "Resurrection." She certainly catches on to the excitement of Easter and the good news of the empty tomb. Last year, her favorite part was the soldiers who fell on their faces when the angel came. :) This year, it is the Angel and the big rock rolled away from the tomb.


But, how do you deal with the sadness and darkness of the Holy Week events when teaching them to a three-year-old? It certainly is not easy, but I have found two very helpful tools. First, Resurrection Eggs. They sound hokey, but they are such a treasure and have helped me to redeem the Easter Egg in our family. Inside each egg is a small object that represents a part of the story of Jesus' journey to the cross and his resurrection - beginning with the donkey and ending with the empty tomb. Twelve days before Easter, I hid the first egg. Zoë searched around the house, and when she found it, we opened it and read the corresponding verses or section of the story. Then each day we added another egg to the hunt, reviewing the old ones and then reading further along in the story each day as we got closer to Easter. Most days we read from "The Jesus Storybook Bible" written by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This is the other amazingly helpful tool I have found. If you have never read it, you should - whether or not you have children! It is so beautifully and powerfully written, and it refreshingly communicates the core of the Gospel. 

We hope that you had a wonderful joy-filled Easter celebration today in honor of our Risen Savior! May we come to know Jesus more and more, walk out in the power of his resurrection, and live into fullness of life.

(When in Texas, do as the Texans do. Take pictures in the Blue Bonnets, on Easter. :)

Isaiah was not in the picture taking mood.

I can hardly believe that this little man will be 11 months old this week!

This girl, however, was all smiles and lovely in her adorable Easter dress.

Cousins!

Didi and her little sweethearts

Confetti Eggs - new thing for us!

This is the best we could do with Mr. Wiggle Worm

This past month was full of adventure and fun (and a little crazy!). We had both grandmothers visit back to back and we kept them busy! We also enjoyed spending time with our Texas relatives for a baby shower and a wonderful Easter celebration.

Can you believe Zoë is almost 4??!

She has become a great helper and (for the most part)

 takes good care of her baby brother - and her own baby. 

Sweet Girl Cousins

Now that he is nearly 11 months, Isaiah has recently become ridiculously active and wiggly. He is up standing and walking while holding on to supports, and crawls faster than we can keep up. Isaiah is getting himself into all sorts of trouble (like falling into the bathtub and climbing up slides) and sticking everything and anything possible into his mouth (band-aids, bouncy balls, crayons, batteries - which he managed to get out of the remote). We thought that he was taking a little break from teething, but then he popped out a molar and is working on two upper canines, and another molar on the bottom. Yikes! But, thankfully, still giggly, smiley and sweet as ever.

Over 18 pounds and 30 inches long.

He is an armful!

I was blessed to have my mom come and stay with us for a week during the last week of March. I so enjoyed having her company day in and day out, and was incredibly thankful for all her help cleaning, washing and playing with the kids. She is an amazing woman! I hope I can be like her when I grow up. :)

Early birthday party with the duo

Girls movie date

We enjoyed one day with the two grandmothers together in one place. :)

This next month will be full, fast-paced and hopefully not frantic - end of the school year for Zac, a big trip to Michigan and then the big 1-4 birthday bash!

Much love,
The Poppens