Seder

Today the kids and I went over to a friends house for a new ladies bible study with my church.  They have childcare (us moms will take turns) so I can go, yay!  Since it was the first week and had not passed the books out yet, they had not planned to do an actual bible study today, but asked that we bless a fellow lady that attends our church with kind words of affirmation...her birthday is Sunday, and we were asked to think of words of encouragement and scriptures that come to mind when we think of her.  I just want to say, WOW!  It was an amazing time of encouragement not only for her, but for all of us as well.  She really has an amazing servant heart, and has touched so many at our church...it was just an amazing time!  Then we closed in prayer and I wish I had a way with words so I could describe this group of people!  These women just really personify what it is to be a woman after God's heart.   I left this morning very motivated and inspired to be more Christlike...and have great examples here in my church body to follow too!
And right now I am taking a quick break from preparing a few things for our church's celebration of Seder.  (which I learned the other day is NOT pronounced like the tree, cedar, but say-der...just so you know!)  Anyway, this is my family's first time participating in a Seder, and I am looking forward to it.

I am a big control freak, and don't like not knowing about something...so I googled, and several hours later I decided I needed to quit!  (for example...look at this youtube video I stumbled across...its funny, well to me anyway.)  I had no idea what was involved in the Jewish preparations to get a passover meal done.  Goodness, I am very very glad that I was born a Gentile...under grace!!!  Plus I am grateful that I was born in the 21st century, where there are grocery stores that I can buy matzoh and lamb...I don't think I could go out and kill a lamb, and skin it, and...well you get the idea.  And I certainly am not a big fan of cleaning my entire kitchen and oven, and keeping separate utensils just to make some bread.  But anyhoo...I went out and bought a leg of lamb, and some matzoh, and am making haroset to spread onto the matzoh.  

It is apples and walnuts finely chopped up with some honey, cinnamon and sugar...and a little bit of sweet wine.  I haven't added the wine yet, but everything else is mixed up and it is good!  I am about to start roasting the lamb.  Never cooked one before, so today is a big day of firsts!