Easter Ramblings

Well, it's the night before Easter, and we've had a great weekend so far, and I felt like jotting it down. Sunday's gonna be a big day, and I might just kill over when we get home, so I wanted to get these ramblings out of my head.

We kicked off this extended weekend by reading to the kids on Thursday night during our family worship time. I read for them out of their Children's Story Bible, the story of Jesus being tried, beaten and crucified. This was the first time that I had read them this story. In previous years, their attention span was not able to handle a story that long and that deep, but this year Kelly and I were able to walk them through everything that was happening and explain the significance of the trial and the beatings and the crucifixion.
Let me stop right here and tell you, there is nothing more satisfying to me as a father than reading this particular story to my children, watching them intently listen and explaining the significance of Jesus dying on the cross. Explaining to these little ones that we deserve the full, entire depth and breadth of the wrath of God because of our sin - but the death of Jesus on the cross took the place of all that wrath and judgment that we deserve. AND THEY LISTENED!!!!! Needless to say, this is probably the start of a very important tradition in this family :)

Friday was a GREAT day. It started at 3:00 am with a call and text that our really good friends the Marusiks were in labor and their new bundle of joy would soon be here. Agatha Nola Marusik was born at 5:18 and it was a great beginning to a good Good Friday. I actually took the day off, so getting to stay home with the family is always great. We did yard work, hung out, had Homewood park day where me and Jake played disc golf, and Kelly and I got to go on a date. I had such a good time with her, and I still can't believe how I got so lucky to have her as my wife. She is amazing. Completely amazing and incredible in every way. Thank you, God!!!

Saturday started with breakfast at IHOP and as we headed out, I realized that this was THE day. This is, what looked like to me, THE biggest day for all the churches in the area. It seemed like every church we passed was gearing up with their big Easter festivals. We even passed a church that had a drive thru prayer event going on (but that was only from 9-12, so I guess if the drive thru was closed they would have to just call KSBJ for prayer). When I see all the marketing in full swing and all the events happening, it just makes me think a little. I think and wonder if all this work that we do to get people into our churches is in vain. Is it really US who is getting people to come to our church. Did our Easter egg hunt really get little Johnny (and even maybe his parents) saved? Or was it God drawing them in? What would have happened if we didn't have an Easter egg hunt? Would God have been powerless? I know I am being a little shallow with this, and at times like this I feel so small compared to the vastness and hugeness of who God is and how He truly works. Don't get me wrong, I know God uses people and God uses these events - heck, I took the kids out and we had a grand old time at an Easter festival today. But sometimes I wonder "Are people getting in the way of God using people?" Then I realize that I have blown my mind and I have to just stop and that's where the ramblings begin - hence this blog.

K, that long aside is now over ....

IHOP was awesome by the way. I love IHOP pancakes in the morning, especially with my beautiful family. We continued this great day by attempting a trip to the mall with THE loudest 22 month old in the entire world. We survived it, but, well, let's just be happy that JC Penny wasn't that crowded. On the way into and out of the mall, we passed by the Easter bunny picture station with tons of people in line. I'm just gonna say it ... the Easter bunny scares me. There it is. I don't know why .... he just creeps me out. He ain't no Santa, let's just leave it at that. After the mall, I took the kids to the Easter festival and left Kelly at home in peace to commence with the baking of the desserts. Can't wait to enjoy those tomorrow!!! The rest of the day was just hanging out at the house. Now the kids are in bed and we've had another great day.

What's on the docket for Easter Sunday 2011???
- Easter at GCC
- Kelly and I are both playing in the worship band - I am very excited about this
- Julia and Jake are in the children's choir!!
- road trip to Rosenberg
- the rest of Easter Sunday with my family - it should be a blast with everyone there.
- going to the zoo on Monday!!!!

I might post some pics later.

Until next time ....

Lot/House Update #2

As of April 8th, 2011, the Carlson Clan now own .00000083699% of the great state of Texas!!! I guess, technically, we own more if you include our current house, but that will only up the percentage by .000000097068% - hahahaha. Yes, David is a big nerd. But it is pretty stinkin’ exciting that we now own land. Not only do we own land, but we now own a ton of trees, too.

Some worth keeping ...


… some are already hacked down ....


And we own a creek!!!!


Here's some more shots of the lot:






This is all a homeschooling families dream. And how did we celebrate this new acquisition?? We camped out … in our ….. backyard. The lot is way too thick to camp on yet – lol. So we pitched a tent in the backyard and had a good ole fashioned suburban campout.

We grilled hot dogs on our gas grill. Looked out at the stars. We saw one, and I’m sure there were more out there - we just couldn’t see them with all the street lights. We fell fast asleep to the sound of cars whizzing by on Spring Cypress and to the sound of air conditioners kick starting (getting the hint on why we wanted the land??). Then we woke up and had an all American breakfast of eggs and bacon. I actually cooked these on my new Coleman stove.

I love me some eggs and bacon in the morning.

Next up – lots of work days to cut some paths in our lot so we can get a better idea of what we’ve actually got as well as some major clearing out in the general area where we think the house might go. That basically means we are going to be cutting down a ton of yaupon. Stay tuned!