Easter at Home

Last year, this was our view on Easter Sunday:

We were somewhere between Orlando and Aruba. We dressed in our Easter best:

We went to church in a lounge on the ship, where we heard the Easter classic, "You Raise Me Up," and listened to the crew member talk about Jesus before Puh-lott-tee.

And yet it was a delightful day in its own, unique way. We talked that day about how it was our first time to ever miss a regular church service on Easter and how that would probably never happen again.

Clearly we hadn't yet met 2020.

But oh, what a WONDERFUL Easter we enjoyed together yesterday. It is not lost to me that we are both feeling healthy these days, and it's not lost to me that it could change so quickly. I am purposeful in treasuring every milestone we get to spend in the same room, because each one is a gift. They always are, of course, but they seem more so right now.

Can I tell you about our day?

We got up super early (5:45) to watch the 6 a.m. presentation of the Marion Easter Pageant. I was in this from age two until my early twenties, when they had to stop holding it. The Pageant was always what made Easter complete for me, so getting to watch it on video (from one of the last years...maybe THE last year) was a soul-stirring way for me to start the day. I was completely overwhelmed the entire hour - memories and emotions abounding. (And I still know every single word to every single song, and I could do both dances if asked, though I was never a member of either group.)

We ate cinnamon rolls and drank coffee while we watched in our jammies, but that was one solid hour of worship to start our day.

After that ended, I got some of the lunch prep underway and journaled and oh! Caught this amazing sunrise.

The sun disappeared shortly after that, so I'm glad I caught it.

I listened to my dad's radio program while I did all those things. He played all the giant Easter anthems I love so much, so Ryan endured more singing. ;) Bless him.

I got ready (like in real clothes) and we hunkered down to watch our own church service streamed online. Ryan's skit that he pre-recorded was part of this service, and it was SO powerful. (More on this tomorrow.)

I wasn't able to get Ryan a proper Easter basket this year since we share online accounts and I am not going to the store until all this is over, so I wrote dozens of notes to him about specific things I love and appreciate about him and stuffed them in plastic eggs. He loved them!

And then we ate lunch! This was my first time ever to make Easter lunch, and it was so delicious! (I wrote last week about my menu.)

I can't take credit for this idea. My mom took a picture of her table at home yesterday morning and sent it to me. She had disinfecting wipes for her centerpiece, so I had to borrow her idea.

Ryan added to the idea.

Okay, so we didn't really eat with those on.

It was raining all afternoon, but we enjoyed lunch on the porch with the little heater going at our feet.

Then it was time for naps and scrapbooking and TV and talking and a beautiful afternoon of rest.

Last night, after we had leftovers for dinner, I watched my sister and brother-in-law's church service, which I also loved! Then I curled up to do my devos and end the day studying Scripture!

I know it was a strange day (again) to not gather with huge groups of family and friends, but I dearly loved our simple little Easter for two (and a cat) at home!

How was your quarantine style Easter?