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Published: June 21st 2009
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Easter Altar
The Easter altar at Redeemer Lutheran Church was beautiful. Easter lilies seem to be a favourite choice of decoration in every congregation. After visiting the Grand Canyon, we returned to Tucson in time for Palm Sunday and then the Holy Week celebrations leading up to Easter. Nathanael continued with homeschooling during the week and we went shopping for a few Easter treats to hand out when Janice’s family came over Easter Day.
On Maundy Thursday, April 9, we spent part of the day cleaning Janice’s house and yard for the company we were expecting Easter Sunday. Nathanael pulled weeds for a cent a plant and raked the new pods that had fallen from the front tree since he had cleaned up earlier in the week. He even used a broom to try and knock more down so there would be less to clean up in the weeks to come. We attended the 19:00 Maundy Thursday evening church service.
Good Friday dawned clear and cool. We went grocery shopping for Easter Sunday’s company. A dust storm was predicted starting at around noon so we tried to finish quickly. When we got home, Nathe and I took our donation for Easter breakfast to the church on our Vespa. The wind was picking up and it was difficult to ride
Decked Out for Easter
Nathanael and I pose in front of the sculptured cross at the entrance of Redeemer Church. How wonderful to enjoy our celebrations in the warm Arizona sun. against it. It was easier coming back to Jan’s because the wind was behind us. Connie and Warren Mackay, good friends of Janice, and now us, came to visit in the afternoon because Nathanael’s air mattress needed air. It seems the mattress has a small, slow leak.
We went to the 19:00 Tennebrae Service. It was even windier in the evening with a lot of dust being blown around. Janice did not have to play organ for the service so we got to sit together. The choir sang three numbers and the pastor’s message concentrated on the seven last words of Christ. By the end of the service, all the lights were extinguished except for the Christ candle and the congregation was asked to leave without speaking. We could also stay for a while and contemplate Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.
Once home, I worked on my journal during the evening while Jan went to a friend’s house. When I went to bed at 1:30 in the morning, it was raining, .... a very unusual occurrence at this time of year in Tucson! Janice said, .... “only once in a hundred years would that ever happen.”
Three Sisters
Here is Janice, with her sisters, Sue and Bonnie, posing in her backyard. Sue lives in Wisconson and Bonnie lives in Phoenix. Saturday morning, April 11, the sky was still cloudy and there were small puddles that remained on the ground. Amazingly it rained on and off for most of the day (tiny rain showers that lasted only a few minutes each). The temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit at 8:00 a.m., low for Tucson at this time of year. I worked on my journal while enjoying an old-time television flashback watching “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
We worked on our dishes for the pot luck Easter dinner that Janice is hosting tomorrow. Jan made scalloped potatoes and I made taco vegetable pizza (a pampered chef recipe) and cucumber-lime jellied salad. Janice’s grandson, Matthew, came over to spend the night so he could come to church with us in the morning.
Easter dawned bright and clear, .... of course it did, ..... we’re in Tucson! The aberration of rainy weather from yesterday was gone. We did not go to the sunrise service because even though it was sunny, the weather was coolish at that hour. (The sunrise service is held outside.) People who did attend it wrapped themselves in blankets and wore coats. We went to the
Nathanael and Braydon
Both Nathanael and Braydon enjoyed the shade provided by our camping kitchen tent. The day got progressively warmer to the joy of everyone in attendance. early and late regular services, joining everyone for Easter breakfast in the fellowship hall. What a joy to be able to observe the most important festival of the Christian church in such special surroundings and with our new friends in faith. The altar of Redeemer Lutheran Church was beautifully appointed with Easter lilies and white paraments. Even though we were miles away from home, we sang many of the same Easter hymns, but unlike home, we weren’t driving through snow to get to church.
Once back at Janice's, we prepared for the company that would be coming mid-afternoon. Jan’s sisters, Bonnie and Sue, came with their friends and families. Chrystal, Janice’s granddaughter, was also there with her family. Nathanael spent a good deal of time playing with Braydon, Chrystal’s son. The weather warmed up beautifully and our kitchen tent in the backyard was a big success with the boys. It provided much needed shade and a fun place to play. Nathanael gave our Easter present to Braden, which consisted of a story book, hot wheels car, a ball and a few special chocolate bunnies. He was very excited. The afternoon passed pleasantly with food, conversation and fine weather.
Easter Guests
A wonderful get together of friends and family. We were very happy to share our Easter celebrations with our new friends. It was a blessed day. All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. Sue and Bob were visiting from Wisconsin and made plans to get together with Janice later in the week. Bonnie and her housemate left to go home to Phoenix. The day wound down slowly as everyone hugged their farewells. The fact that we all shared the joy of Jesus’ resurrection as believers meant that it didn’t matter we were five thousand miles away from Ottawa, we were still at home.
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