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Hello Reader,

I hope you've been having a blessed holy week. Mine has been filled with early mornings, late nights, and lots of activity in between. But I'm looking forward to a long relaxing weekend in which to celebrate Christ's finished work on the cross. And this week's link list is intended to help you do the same. Enjoy!

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Empty Tomb Craft - a fun, simple activity to do with young children or grandchildren
• ​Jelly Bean Gospel - a sweet way to share the good news with friends, family, & neighbors
• ​He Is Risen Pennant Banner - something pretty to deck the halls for Resurrection Sunday
• ​It's All about God's Grace - a fun music video my kids helped me make several years ago
• ​Resurrection Day Word Scramble - see how fast can you decipher these mixed up words
• ​Easter Conversation Starters - to prompt some good discussions around the dinner table
• ​Be My Disciple Coloring Page - Jesus calls us to deny self, take up our cross, & follow Him

What I'm reading this week:

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I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but isn't the one on Really Very Crunchy adorable? In it, author Emily Morrow advocates for a simpler, more natural life. I'm fully onboard for many of the ideas presented: limiting exposure to harmful chemicals, reducing stress, going barefoot, and improving sleep? Yes, please! But some of things discussed are a hard pass: swapping toilet paper for reusable "family cloth?" No, thank you! The thing I enjoyed most about this book is its tone. Clearly knowledgeable, yet simultaneously humorous and humble, Emily strikes a good balance between conviction and compassion, repeatedly reminding us that "crunchiness is a spectrum" and urging readers to "think for yourself, do the best you can, and show love for your fellow human beings."

This week's reader request:

Some time ago, a subscriber wrote to ask if I'd be willing to offer a few of my Easter gospel tracts in Spanish and Chinese -- and even volunteered to translate them for me! Naturally, I agreed. And now, as of this morning, readers can download copies of our Easter tracts in any of three languages.

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 37 ​OUR FAVORITE EASTER TRADITIONS​ Although I love baskets and bunnies and colorful candy as much as anyone, we’ve always tried to place the main emphasis of this season on the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Jesus – and on what Christ’s finished work means to those who put their faith in Him. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I ✅ visited a tulip farm with my kids and grands, ✅ spoke to a local moms group (which went well enough that they've already asked me to come back), ✅ attended the county Republican convention with my husband (and were elected as delegates to the state convention, ✅ shopped/ worked an 8-hour volunteer shift at the CCC Sale (which opens to the public today, so come shop if you're local), and ✅ dressed up for Western Day at our homeschool co-op (but forgot to take photos). The only thing on last week's list I didn't finish was ❌ painting the top of my band box. Maybe this weekend?

Personal goals for this week:

• print/frame photos to display on the new bookshelves my son built for my bedroom
• clean out & organize fridge and pantry
• finish painting bandbox
• record podcast with my friend Abbie from M is for Mama (which keeps getting delayed)
• attend Good Friday service
• do Resurrection Eggs with grandkids
• finish four more pages in my Easter journal​