Blue Jeans And Teacups: Stations of the Cross

Yes, that’s a whole lot of food for thought, but it was a wonderful bit of fun and blessings for us today.

I knew I wanted to go to one of our local churches again to share the “Stations of the Cross” with the daycare Littles (faces hidden for privacy) and today the discounted bakery items at WalMart included the prettiest lavender “unicorn donuts”, so I decided today was the day!

Of course, I wanted to make it more special with tea!

I had recently purchased some Hibiscus Tea on sale and knew I wanted to add my fresh Rosemary to it, because that is a blend I had tried from another vendor before and really enjoyed.

If you are not familiar with all the health benefits of Rosemary, I found a great article here: https://www.organicfacts.net/rosemary-tea.html that shares “drinking rosemary tea include optimizing digestion, increasing cognitive function, preventing cancer, treating skin conditions, reducing inflammation, and easing the pain associated with it. It also aids in eliminating anxiety, improving liver function, and boosting hair health, among others. However, there are some [possible] side effects – see article. Rosemary tea is made by brewing the leaves and stem of the rosemary herb, which has the taxonomic name Rosmarinus officinalis.” Read even more at the above link.

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Traditional Medicinals always has fun quotes on their teabags. They are individually wrapped as well, which makes for great "tea mail" tuck-ins to friends!

I brewed my stem along with 2 teabags and a heaping tablespoon of local orange-blossom honey in a thermos, for probably around 3 or 4 minutes then removed the stem and bags. It was quite strong and the Littles absolutely loved it! So did I. We had it warm this time, but I love this one over ice in the summertime.

We enjoyed our tea-time outdoors near the water fountain before heading inside.

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Each year the artists never fail to amaze me! It was such a blessing to read the full story of Holy Week to the Littles and look over each art piece. At the end, they were invited to stamp a block on a giant wall indicating one of the following: light green – I am inspired to tell others about God, orange – I feel closer to God, dark green – I learned something about God. The littlest one choose dark green. The middle one choose orange. The eldest choose all 3 colors and carefully stamped them into a square. So precious!

In addition to all this April is National Card and Letter Writing Month. I take the Littles to the Post Office often, and each time I ask them to lay hands on the mail and pray over it. We pray that it travels safely along the way and that the Lord would bless the hands that touch it (postal workers) and the hands that receive it (happy mail recipients). It is one more way I can instill Godly values and practices in their little hearts. Why not send some happy mail this month and pray over it too? I know it will bless your heart!

Until next time,

Hugs and a cup of tea,

This is some "animal tea" that the boy made me today! ;)

Sunny CA skies
in front of the church

One of my local churches has a tradition of inviting local artists to share the story of Christ's final days portrayed as Stations of the Cross during Holy Week. I always look forward to this, and thought I would share it with you. I have photographed the entire walk, and re-typed the brochure for your consideration.

Introduction sculpture - T. Taylor

#1 S. Lehman

Jesus is Anointed
Imagine how rich our lives would be if everyday we would take the love and grace we have been given through Jesus and pour it out on our brothers. Do we want our lives to be a fragrance and a blessing to others by pouring ourselves out through acts of love? Why would we do this? We do this because Jesus poured out His love and His life for us.
-Matthew 26:10-12

#2 T. Foster

Jesus Enters Jerusalem
The people of Jerusalem thought Jesus was to become their earthly king. They did not see the whole picture of redemption by their heavenly King. When you sing HOSANNA!, do you see grace and redemption; hope and peace; joy and strength? When you leave from here take the comfort of Jesus as your heavenly King. -John 12:12-15

#3 M. Taylor (2 VIEWS)

Jesus Shares the Last Supper
Just as Jesus' disciples shared in a symbol of His sacrifice through the Last Supper, His body was broken and His blood poured out

to give us new life. Take and eat. "Do this in remembrance of me." Receive the abundant life He is offering you.
-Luke 22:14-20

#4 S. Vaughn

Jesus Prays In The Garden
While thinking about Jesus in the garden, think about the sacrifice Jesus was going to make for us. He knew that He was about to be betrayed and crucified, yet He loved us so much that He would do this for us. This thought can be a little overwhelming. The next time you pray, contemplate the choice He made in the garden, and then take a moment to thank Him for the sacrifice He made for us. -Matt 26:36-39

#5 J. Kia

Jesus is Betrayed & Arrested
We perceive kisses as a sign of caring and love because of the intimacy of the action. It is easy to be fooled by those who would use a kiss in an insincere way. Allow love in without being blind to those who seek only to deceive you. -Matt 26:47-48

#6 L. Montgomery

Jesus is Disowned by Peter
He still loves us...
He comes to us at our lowest point. He looks at us with lov and understanding, not anger. He knows the choices we will make, yet unbelievably, still has plans for you and me. So let Him love you. -Luke 22:61-62

#7 M. Melton

Jesus is Condemned to Death
Reflect on how Jesus' sentence, as yelled out by the people of the land to "crucify Him," was merely a formality of the land' for Jesus knew His fate, He was to die for our sins. Those who yelled out were unknowingly living out the prophecy. Take yourself back to that day - What do you feel? What do you hear? How would you react? -John 19:14-16

#8 P. and S. Letbetter

Jesus is Mocked and Beaten
When Jesus was taken by the Roman soldiers, He was given a "kingly" robe that the soldiers found laying around. Jesus was also given a crown and a scepter, neither of which were the real thing. All of these false royal icons were given to the True King. If only the soldiers had seen Jesus as the real king He was instead of a man to be used for their entertainment. -Matt 27:28-31

#9 E. Gerdes

Jesus Receives the Cross and the Crown of Thorns
Jesus was mocked, beaten and humiliated. The crown the soldiers made for Him was meant to inflict pain and mock Him. They had no idea they were in the company of the Lord of lords and the King of kings. If we choose not to see and accept who Jesus is, we may be also in a position of mocking the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. He gave His life so that we may live. -Matt. 27:29

#10 C. McClain

Jesus Talks to the Women
Jesus was on His way to his crucifixion and there were many women following Him and mourning for Him. He tells them, the "Daughters of Jerusalem," not to mourn for Him, but to mourn for themselves and their children. Jesus knows that Jerusalem was going to be overrun and that people were going to be wishing that they and their children had never been born. Jesus was able to look beyond the events that were taking place and give warning. Who will you look to and take advice from in times of despair? -Luke 23: 27-28

#11 P. Booher

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
He did this for YOU.
-John 19:18

#12 M. Williams

Gamble for Jesus' Clothes
It is amazing to think how ignorant the people were. The soldiers were concerned more about the value of Jesus' clothes than the value of who He was. The people could not see the impact of what this sacrifice repreasented. What's more amazing is Jesus asks God to forgive them still. We are reminded of the unconditional love that He shows us. -Luke 23:34-35

Jesus Speaks to His Mother

#13 Y. Kiaupa (4 VIEWS)

Jesus spoke to Mary in His final hour, just as He speaks to us in His finest hour and leaves us one to another to dwell in love in His Father's house.

If we look, can we see the reflection of this conversation in your eyes?
-John 19:26-27

#14 S. Smith

Jesus Forgives the Repentant Criminal
There is no mistake so great, no sin so terrible, no life so lost that Jesus does not forgive. Jesus loves you without condition. He died for every sin that was ever made or ever will be made. The price has already been paid; all you need to be forgiven is to ask and He promises that you will be with Him in paradise! Have you laid down your life, your pride, and your guilt to Jesus so that He can hold you in His loving arms? -Luke 23:42-43

#15 R. Keels and The Underwood
Prayer Warriors

The Temple Veil is Torn
When the tribes of Israel were wandering in the wildeness, before they entered the Holy Land, God's presence was with them in the third chamber (Holy of Holies) of the tabernacle. Because of sin, there was a barrier (a heavy curtain) between man and God. Only the Jewish High Priest, and only once a year on the Jewish Day of Atonement, could enter the Holy of Holies. Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial death, forever removed that barrier between God and Man. As you view the torn curtain and pass through the Holy of Holies to take communion, reflect on the fact that now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness. -Matt 27:50-51

Jesus Dies

#16 T. Holtkamp (4 VIEWS)

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings will you find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

-Luke 23:46

#17 S. Bond

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jerusalem is crowded. The city is filled with life. Jesus is dead. The crucifix is repulsive and exposed and forsaken. The tomb is closed, cold, and surrounding the dead Son of God. How is it possible that life goes on? -Luke 23:53-54

Jesus Comes Back to Life