What Does One Do... Part 1

If you've been following my blog for at least the past week or so, you know that I gave up my computer for a week during our family's observance of Lent. It was one of the best things I could have ever done...and yet, one of the hardest things as well!

During that time I realized just how much I relied on my computer for recipes, questions about gardening (I'll come back to this one!), uploading pictures, writing down blog post ideas, Holy Week activities, ministry, personal finances, etc. The list just went on and on.

Since I know you have been DYING to find out what I did with myself last week without the computer or internet I'll break it down for you=)

What Does One Do Without A Computer - Part 1

Holy Week ~ Seder

This week we celebrated Holy Week as a family again. Our kids are beginning to look forward to this time of year. We incorporated many of our usual ideas, like the cleaning day and planting seeds, and added a couple of new ones to keep the focus fresh.

It was our turn to host small group at our house this week. I figured, since it was Holy Week it would be fun to prepare a Seder (we always eat dinner together for small group). This was a first for me and since I wasn't going to be able to try any of the food beforehand, I was a little nervous. I gave a brief explanation of the symbolism in the meal and I think everyone enjoyed it. The meal ended up tasting pretty good and was very filling too!

Areyna helped me every step of the way

from getting the grocery list together to chopping the apples!

Charoset AKA "The Clay"

Signifies the "clay" that the Israelites used to make bricks while in captivity.

Cinnamon Stick represents the "straw" that they used in the bricks

Preparing The Eggs

Signifies the Sacrificial Offering

Romaine Lettuce - One of our "Bitter Herbs".

We decided to make a salad out of it.

Signifies the bitter exit of the Israelites

The rest of the meal consisted of:

Unleaved Bread/Matzah

Signifying the hasty exit of the Israelites.

They didn't have time for yeast to rise.

Horseradish and Parsley are another "bitter herb" commonly used.

I made a marinade for our Chicken

(which can be used in a Christian Seder instead of Lamb)

Marinade Recipe: Horseradish, lemon juice, Parsley, Red Wine

2 White Candles which represent the Blessing

Holy Week - Resurrection Sunday

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for

Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen! He is not here.

See the place where they laid him."

Mark 16:6

Activity: Read Mark's account of the resurrection of Christ in Chapter 16 and then get out your art supplies and have the kids depict, on paper, what the story of Jesus' resurrection means to them.

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Holy Week - Holy Saturday

"And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself and became obedient

to death-even death on a cross!"

Philippians 2:8

Activity: The Saturday during Holy Week is typically a day of rest, waiting and quiet meditation. Think of one thing that you can give up today. Just as Jesus sacrificed His life for us, let's sacrifice something for Him while we anticipate His glorious return!

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Holy Week - Good Friday

"For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.

And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the

glorious power of the Father, now we also

may live new lives."

Romans 6:4

Activity: Plant some seeds with your family. Explain the significance of the seeds going into the ground, just as Jesus was buried in the ground. But he didn't stay there, just like the seeds won't stay in the ground. Those seeds will grow new life just as Jesus resurrected to new life.

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Holy Week - Maundy Thursday

"After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash

his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel

that was wrapped around him."

John 13:5

Activity: Read John 13:12-17 to put the whole scene into context. Take turns washing each other's feet.

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Holy Week - Wednesday

"That if we confess with our mouth, 'Jesus is Lord',

and believe in your heart that God raised him from

the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 10:9

Activity: Cleaning day - make it a family affair. Grab some spray bottles, washing rags and clean the house together. Talk about the symbolism that this is cleaning and purifying the outside while only God can clean and purify the inside, our hearts.

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Holy Week - Tuesday

"I passed on to you what was most important and

what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for

our sins, just as the Scripture said."

I Corinthians 15:3

Activity: Dye Easter Eggs and talk about the symbolism of the eggs going into the water (Christ being buried) and then coming out (Christ rising from the dead).

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Holy Week - Monday

"As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take and eat it; this is My body."

Matthew 26:26

Activity: Explain the Lord's Supper. Now, make some unleavened bread together with your kids. Explain how this was a lot like the bread that was served during the Passover.

What you'll need: 1 cup of whole-wheat flour,

2 Tbsp. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and

1/2 cup of water.

How to make it: Combine the ingredients, place dough on floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Roll out until it's about 1/8" thick. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

~The Fast Track: An excerpt from my new family devotional~

Give It Up

Well, we started another Holy Week tradition tonight. We've been preparing the kids for this one for a couple of days now. Our focus? Lent. Yeah, try explaining this one to a 5 and almost 4-year old=) Instead of starting on Ash Wednesday we are making it a little more age appropriate by starting tonight and concluding our "fast" on Sunday.

In our explanation we talked about how Jesus gave up Heaven to come down to earth as a baby, how God gave up his Son and how Jesus ultimately gave up His own life for us. Then we explained how Jesus was tempted and that we will be tempted to play with the things we have given up but that we can ask God to help us.

Surprisingly Areyna had the hardest time thinking of what to give up for a whole week. I think she really gets it. She even shed a couple of tears while thinking about not being able to wear any princess dresses for a week, or play with any Barbie's for a week.

Zeke on the other hand was naming things left and right until he finally landed on the perfect sacrifice.

I've known what I was going to give up for a while! It's past overdue for me.

And Josh...well, lets just say that Josh and I both wanted to exemplify giving up something very near and dear to our hearts.

Josh is giving up Coffee

I am giving up my computer

Areyna is giving up makeup

(I know...I can't believe how hard it is for my 5-year-old to give up makeup!)

Zeke finally landed on his Spiderman car, HA!

Every day we will check off a day on our chart so the kids can visualize when they get their toy back. I wanted them to see that they weren't giving it up forever but instead for a time so we can focus on Jesus.

Yes, I am giving up my computer for a week *sigh* and will resume normal posting duties next week. But don't forget to come back every day this week for a devotional and activity that I've scheduled for you to do together as a family.

Additional Resources:

Remember to check out Josh's blog every day for an adult devotional for Holy Week.

My friend, Jenn, has also gotten very creative as their family has begun the tradition of celebrating Holy Week as well. Make sure you check out her blog for other fun ideas this week!