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Happy Easter Sugar Pie Darlin’s! My goodness Spring is in full swing here in the Ozarks! This was the view from my back porch a few days ago. Everything is in bloom!

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Dogwoods, with their white and pink blossoms, reaching heavenward… it’s such a glorious sight. I love looking deep into the woods and seeing lacy bouquets of snowy-white scattered here and there against the backdrop of apple green and deep sky blue. It’s just so refreshing to see new life springing forth! Springtime speaks so boldly of God’s love, faithfulness and grace!

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Blossoms from my fruit trees are also bursting with new life, promising a delicious and bountiful harvest.  They are a sweet reminder of the Words of Jesus  “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”  John 10:10

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That is what Easter is all about!  New life…new beginnings…a fresh start!

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” ~2 Corinthians 5:17

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It is so perfect that God planned for Easter to be celebrated in the Spring! It so beautifully illustrates the amazing love story of God, sending His son Jesus to sacrifice His life by taking the punishment for our sins. Like the old song goes “when He was on the cross I was on His mind”. He did it because He couldn’t bear the thought of living in eternity without us. That’s how much He loves us.  Then three days later He rose from the dead giving us the gift of a joyous new life here on earth and a glorious eternal life to look forward to in heaven (that is perfect love, and amazing grace…oh how I am thankful!!)  Just as the barren trees are dormant through winter’s grey chill, they spring forth with vibrant new life in the warmth and light of this sunshiny new season.  Jesus brings light and warmth to our hearts, reviving our soul with His love.

“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send His Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.” John 3:16,17 Amplified Version

What a comfort to know that through Jesus we have salvation and that we are  “made safe and sound through Him”. That just hugs my heart!

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“‘It is finished!” He cried. And the great Creator went home. (He ‘s not resting though. Word has it that His tireless hands are preparing a city so glorious even the angels get goose bumps upon seeing it. Considering what He has done so far, that is one creation I plan to see.)” ~ Max Lucado

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3

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A Heavenly thought: My hubby was telling me about a sermon he heard regarding our heavenly home. The preacher said that the moment you receive  Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and your name is written in the lamb’s book of life, that very second the angels begin constructing a wondrous home that God designed specifically for YOU.  God fashions this home down to the last breathtaking detail with all of the things that would thrill YOUR heart. He puts a sign in the front yard with YOUR name on it. And when the house is finally finished  and gleaming with God’s glorious touch of love, that’s when He calls you to come on home.

God is a personal God. He cares about everything concerning you. You are the apple of His eye. He is always watching over you, He loves you so much that He just can’t take His eyes off of you. He has big plans for you!

Of course the most wonderful part of Heaven will be seeing Jesus face to face.

“The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in.”

Revelation 21:21 The Message

Do you want to make sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book Of Life and that you will go to heaven some day? Click Here to find out how.

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Easter comes with Bountiful blessings!

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I really enjoy decorating for this vibrant new season! Here are some ideas…img_4046

Nothing says springtime more than fresh tulips, even ones from the grocery store! I found this light green scalloped wood trim at Leola’s Antique store in Ozark Mo. recently. I love anything scalloped so I bought it not knowing where I would put it. Right now it’s sitting on my entry sideboard. It just seems to add a whimsical touch. I’m sure it will be one of those things that I’ll end up moving from room to room just for the fun of it. img_4021

A vintage berry tray becomes the perfect spot to nestle some farm-y Easter eggs.

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Simple, uncluttered signs of spring grace the mantle.

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A white-washed egg basket full of eggs is one way to give a corner that farm-fresh spring look!

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Or gather some eggs and tuck them into a vintage muffin tin!

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Rescued bird nests swept from the treetops from storms past become a thing of beauty once again filled with dear little robin eggs.

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You can also decorate your head for Easter! LOL! Don’t you wish us gals still wore  fancy bonnets on Easter mornin’ at church? Here’s a little poem I found with those same sentiments…   

Bessie Mae’s Bonnet

I wish the Easter days were now, like those that once I knew,

When Bessie Mae wore a bonnet dear with ribbon bows of blue;

When we walked to Sunday meetin’ o’er the meadows green and sweet,

Where lilies waved in welcome, with violets at our feet.

Yes I know that fashions change, and her pretty hat is obsolete

But the old-time Easter bonnet was so simple an’ so sweet!

~Frank Stanton

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Add to the Easter bonnet a pair of white gloves (these were my mama’s),  a paper fan to keep cool and the Good Book to read God’s story of Amazing love.

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I’m wishin’ you a happy church-goin’-Lord praisin’-egg-huntin’-flower-filled Easter with lots of chocolate bunnies and little kids giggles!

 

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This will be my grandbaby Johnny’s first Easter! Oh happy day!

 

Happy Easter Sugar Pies!

Come on over to my FACEBOOK page! I share tips, fun videos that I find, as well as encouragement for you darlin’ homemakers!

 Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For your FaBULoUS comments! Every one just blesses me from my head to my toes!!!!

God Bless your Darlin’ hearts!!

Aunt Ruthie

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P.S. May I recommend The Animated Passion Trilogy. It’s the story of our wonderful Savior. A three part DVD set the whole family will enjoy. We had all the Bible story videos when my kids were growing up. It became part of our weekly devotions. My kids loved them! In fact the Animation director worked for Disney. We still watch them today with our 12 year old daughter Summer.

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