Semana Santa—(Semana Ocho)

Well this past week is what is called Semana Santa here, which means “Holy Week” as it is the week of Palm Sunday and the days leading up to Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.

This past week has been quite different from the previous weeks, but I guess that I should expect it by now as no two weeks are the same, however this one was much less stressful!

We had school as normal Monday and Tuesday this week, but took Wednesday through Friday off for a little Spring Break for us and the kids. The schools around here get two weeks off: the week of Semana Santa and the one after it. Thus, Wednesday, our first day of Spring Break we took the kids on a little picnic. Some of the girls helped us make sandwiches to bring with us and the some of the boys went out with us to get Dixie, Jenny’s donkey, as we were bringing her along. We loaded up Dixie with all of our food supplies and a couple blankets and set out on our walk to a little grassy spot with all the kids (that were around.) We each carried out water bottles and took turns riding on Dixie. It was a long, hot walk, but we made it and enjoyed our picnic lunch. On the way back, I was able to experience another first…a ride on Dixie. It was a very enjoyable ride and I can now cross “ride a donkey” off my bucket list. :) Check out our pictures of the whole adventure below! (Picnic and donkey ride)

Later Wednesday afternoon, we were able to get a vehicle from the ministry and head into the city (Guadalajara) for a few days. We’ve enjoyed the last few days reading, sitting pool side, soaking up some sun, eating free buffet breakfasts, walking around a bit, and working out on an outdoor (rooftop) track and in an exercise room.

Our mini spring break has been wonderful, but I’m excited to get back to teaching my students again. It was nice to have a little break, but when I saw the kids at church this morning in their Easter best and received lots of little hugs, I realized just how much I’ve missed them in only a couple days!

This Easter was a bit different as I wasn’t home to be a part of our church’s Easter Drama or at least watch it, but in some ways I think it’s been a good thing. Not having the play or production right in front of me has really challenged me this week to remember on my own the sacrifice that Jesus made for me and how He rose from the grave three days later. I’ve been running through my mind scenes from the dramas from Palm Sunday through the resurrection all week and I’m still amazed and so very grateful for Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. So blessed to have a Savior who would die for me.

I hope you all have had a Happy Easter celebrating our risen Savior!

One of my favorite songs right now is called “The Death of Death” by Charlie Hall. I first heard it at the Passion 2013 Conference I attended in January and ever since have loved it. If you haven’t heard it, you should listen to it! Here are the lyrics:

We can’t come to the Father without the Son
We can’t turn His wrath without shed blood
We brought nothing to the table that satisfied
We were naked and poor, deaf, and blind

Man has sinned, but God has saved
You rose and overcame the grave

At the death of death, where love and justice kiss
We were born to sin and only You forgive
In Your final breath grace and mercy win
At the death of death You died and rose again

We weren’t just drowning, we were dead to the bone
You gave us hearts of flesh and took away the stone
The Word made flesh and love defined
You didn’t spare Yourself the Immortal One died

Picnic time!

They were so excited for my first ride on Dixie!

One of my little friends joined me for part of the ride :)