Blessed Holy Week to everyone. We have been keeping very busy, but things are slowing down just in time for some contemplation on our Lord's passion this week. I had been working earlier this month at CPH, which was keeping us doubly busy. JJ was doing a great job of taking care of me when I got home bushed, but that consequently left both of us a bit behind. And our quarter started so quickly that we began a bit behind! Yesterday, Easter break started here on campus after chapel, so we spent the lovely afternoon resting and getting caught up. JJ got all his paperwork from last quarter caught up, and I got the kitchen cleaned up. The weather has turned so lovely this week that we were also able to go for a walk.
In chapel this week we celebrated Holy Week as much as possible, given the shortened school week. On Monday was a chanting of the Passion narrative, Tuesday corporate confession and absolution, and Wednesday a Good Friday service with Holy Communion. This week, since JJ has no responsibilities at his field ed. church, he has jumped at the chance to help an area pastor, Rev. Curtis of Trinity in Worden, IL, with the Passion services, including an Easter vigil Saturday evening. We are both very excited about that. We've never been to one, and it will be a great learning experience for JJ (technically, my mother informed me, I have attended an Easter vigil, when I was three, but I'm not counting that).
I bought my family's traditional brand of egg coloring kit (is there any other brand?) and am "forcing" JJ to color eggs this week, and we may make some cookies too! (It's not that he's the Easter equivalent of a Scrooge, but he doesn't like hard-boiled eggs.) It is such a wonderful time of year. Forget the bunnies and eggs, our Savior has died and risen from the grave for the redemption and restoration of all creation! Now that is something to celebrate! We wish everyone a blessed Pascha.