Preparing for Holy Week

Last year, as Holy Week approached, I realized that I needed a visual for the events of the week.  I sat down with Justin's ESV Study Bible and Google and got busy documenting what the week leading up to the cross and the empty tomb entailed.  During Holy Week we discussed and read about the events of the day and often illustrated or did an activity that corresponded with the day.  I recently posted a pic of my very simple construction paper (maybe someday I will have the time to be fancy!) journey to Easter on Facebook and received a few requests for the content.  I took a little time and typed everything out, including references, to share, in case this would be helpful in pointing your family to Jesus as you anticipate Easter.  Please keep in mind that I am NOT at Bible scholar, my list is not exhaustive, and many of the events are estimated days that could have taken place slightly earlier or later than noted.  Also feel free to correct me if you find a blatant error on my part!
It is my prayer that we will all know Christ and the power of His resurrection more this season!

Holy Week Events:

Palm Sunday:

-Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19: 28-40, John 12:12-19)

-Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem. (Luke 19:41-44)

Monday:

-Jesus clears the temple. (Matt. 21:12-16, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48)

-Jesus curses the fig  tree. (Matt. 18-19, Mark 11:12-14)

Tuesday:

-Disciples see the withered fig tree on the return to Jerusalem. (Matt. 21:20-22, Mark 11:20-21)

-Jesus’s authority is questioned by the Sanhedrin. (Matt. 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8)

-Jesus teaches in parables. (Matt. 21:28-22:14, 25:1-30,  Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-18)

-Jesus teaches on the Mt. of Olives. (Matt. 24:1-25:46, Mark 12:1-37, Luke 21:5-36)

-Judas agrees to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11)

Wednesday:

-Plot to kill Jesus (Matt. 26:3-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2)

-Jesus continues to teach in the temple (Luke 21:37-38)

-Preparations for the Passover (Matt. 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13)

Thursday:

-Last Supper (Passover) with Jesus and his disciples (Matt. 26:20-35, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:14-30)

-Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (see above)

-Jesus speaks to his disciples about what is to come (John 13:1-17:26)

-Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46)

Friday:

-Betrayal and arrest of Jesus (Matt. 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12)

-Jesus tried by Jewish and Roman authorities (Matt. 26:57-27:14, Mark 14:32-15:15, Luke 22:54-23:12, John 18:13-24

-Jesus is flogged and mocked (see above)

-The crowd rejects Jesus (see above)

-Jesus is crucified –approx 9am-3pm (Matt. 27:27-54, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:28-19:16)

-Jesus is buried (Matt. 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-54, John 19:38-42)

Saturday:

(Blank page, because no recorded events occurred)

EASTER Sunday:

-Jesus is ALIVE! He beat sin and death! 

-Empty Tomb Witnesses (Matt. 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12)

-Resurrection Appearances (Matt. 28:9-20, Mark 16:9-20, Luke 24:13-53, John 20:1-21:25)

Celebrating Charlotte Jane- 3 Years

Three years ago today, at daybreak, I sat in Cracker Barrel eating the nastiest muffin I've ever tasted.  I mean, who goes to Cracker Barrel and orders a bran muffin?  The answer is a Momma who has just held her baby girl as she breathed her last labored breath.  I remember staring at the menu, being nauseated, and also knowing that whatever I ate that morning would forever be associated with the death of my baby.  So I did it.  I picked the crappy muffin.  There really were no redeeming qualities about it, it was just awful, like I felt.  Three years later I watched the sun rise from the cemetery while enjoying the most amazing heart shaped sprinkle donut!  In case you don't know this, I am a donut connoisseur, and this donut was happiness in every bite!

It just seemed right to eat a sprinkle donut this morning, just as that bran muffin was so appropriate three years ago.  I'm not going to lie and say that there were not tears pouring down my cheeks as I sang out to the Lord "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Your Love Never Fails" this morning.  No doubt, my heart ached as I recounted this painful day.  However, my heart also rejoiced in the Hope we have been given and in the glimpses of glory that God has given me through Charlotte Jane.  All that scripture that I had memorized and all that stuff I said I believed about God, I now can claim with unwavering confidence, IT IS TRUE!

This year, more than any year before, I have been compelled to celebrate Charlotte's Seven Days! I got a new frame for my favorite pic of my precious girl that really makes me smile! Precious friends threw a birthday party for sweet girl the Friday before her birthday.

 On her birthday, I insisted on sprinkle donuts for the family (Justin and Lainie went to 4 different shops to make this happen for me!), we picnicked at the cemetery, we released fancy balloons, we had races, we sang, and we also bought a birthday cake, complete with a #3 candle, and we sang "Happy Birthday" to our girl.  It was such a fun day!

During the week, I received so many sweet notes, cards, flowers, phone calls, and texts from friends.  One in particular pointed out how Charlotte's memorial service had guided her family into the church home that God had for them.  This makes me so happy.  I have also had the joy of sharing Charlotte's story with new friends.  As I have shared it, it has done two things: made me really really miss my girl and reminded me of how God has met me every step of the way in the struggle.  A precious friend sent me a card this week with these words:

I really am stronger than I could have ever imagined.  Why?  Because through Charlotte's life and death, I have learned how incredibly weak I really am, and I have finally leaned into the abundant strength of my God.

The nearness of Jesus has been like a heavy warm blanket to still my anxious heart and allow me to really rest.

And WOW!  The love that God has poured out on me through sweet friends has been nothing short of incredible.  They have not forgotten.  They have walked this road shoulder to shoulder with me, only letting me go alone when there was a narrow opening that I must face by myself, and even then, they were there to greet me on the other side and to continue the journey as a visible reminder that Jesus never leaves my side, and He alone brings true freedom.

The thing that has brought me the most sadness this week is that Liv will never know Charlotte.  Lizzie and Lainie are best buddies who drive each other bananas.  They are 20ish months apart, just like Charlotte and Olivia would be.  I want to know firsthand what kind of insanity would be going on in my house with FOUR sweet girls.  I want to see them ALL together in the backseat, at the breakfast table, reading books, having a picnic, dog piling their Daddy, and having their nails painted.  This is not my reality.  I am thankful I have allowed myself to really go to this place though.  I somehow thought that I was acting entitled if I longed for this to be true.  Instead, God has shown me how to bring these longings before Him, to let Him hold me as I cry, and to see Him more than satisfy the desires of my heart in Him.

Thank you Jesus for Charlotte Jane.  Thank you that you have turned my mourning into dancing and my bran muffin into a sprinkle donut!  Welcome Home Charlotte Jane, Welcome Home!

Momma

"Rise and Shine and give God the glory, glory! Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory! RISE AND SHINE and give God the glory, glory, Angela, of the Lord.... Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done.  Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your MANY blessings, see what God has done."

This is how every morning of my life began while I lived at home.  Momma, the cheery morning person, would slip into my room and sit on my bed and wake me with these two choruses.  I often searched for her "snooze bar," but one did not exist.  It was hard to be in a bad mood when my attention was immediately guided to Jesus before I even opened my eyes.  From there we ate breakfast together and she would read scripture and a devotional to start our day.  When she would drop me off at school, she would always give me a kiss and remind me, "Be sweet to EVERYONE!"  Although she was a very busy woman and in high demand, I knew I was always her priority, and I never remember her missing a single extra curricular activity of mine, and let me tell you, there were A LOT!  When I went off to Texas A&M, my mornings still began with encouragement from Momma.  EVERY morning before she left for school, Momma would send me an email sharing truth and reminding me of her love.  What an incredible gift.  Whether things have been exciting and fun or heartbreaking and painful, and there have been plenty of both in my life, Momma has always pointed me to Jesus.

Shortly after our sweet Charlotte Jane passed away, in February of 2010, I began to notice some changes in Momma.  I wasn't the only one.  Daddy, other family members and many of Momma's friends were noticing differences as well.  There were suggestions thrown out that maybe she was depressed and still had unsettled grief from losing her own daughter, Stephanie, at the age of 4.  Maybe it was just the change in lifestyle, since she was retired and didn't have as much to do.  Could it be that she just needed more social interaction?  Those of you who know Momma well would not be surprised that in the early years of my marriage, Momma would walk into my house, open the dryer (which with young children was always FULL), and begin to fold my clothes.  After that, she would move onto the dishes (which again, there were always some waiting in the dishwasher), and then she would scurry about straightening up around the house.  For her to sit down for a moment was just beyond her comprehension.  If she wasn't on the floor with babies, she was tidying up or fixing something, chatting with me all the while about all that was going on.  All of a sudden, our interactions were awkward, and her desire to do much of anything disappeared.  Her once sharp memory was now foggy and her reaction time was very slow.  There was definitely something going on.

After a great deal of testing, we finally got some answers.  January of 2011 began with a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia.  I will let you do your own research on the specifics, but here is the definition given by the Mayo Clinic:

Frontotemporal dementia (frontotemporal lobar degeneration) is an umbrella term for a diverse group of uncommon disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain — the areas generally associated with personality, behavior and language.

In frontotemporal dementia, portions of these lobes atrophy or shrink. Signs and symptoms vary, depending upon the portion of the brain affected. Some people with frontotemporal dementia undergo dramatic changes in their personality and become socially inappropriate, impulsive or emotionally indifferent, while others lose the ability to use and understand language.

Frontotemporal dementia is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem or as Alzheimer's disease. But frontotemporal dementia tends to occur at a younger age than does Alzheimer's disease, typically between the ages of 40 and 70.

For awhile after her diagnosis, Momma continued on as usual.  She maintained her seat on the CISD School Board, she drove, and she interacted with her friends and family.  Eventually though, she required greater assistance and supervision, necessitating her to stay the nights with someone if Daddy went out of town for work.  It was in these times that I recognized the intensity of the disease.  The last time she stayed at my house was December of 2011.  I was completely overwhelmed, as I had 2 preschoolers and a newborn to care for, and it seemed I also had an extra needy child.  My heart broke for and was burdened for my Daddy who was living this reality day in and day out.  Momma and Daddy have dated since they were 14, and the FTD has stolen Momma away from Daddy.  It was around this time that Daddy drafted a letter, with Momma's agreement, withdrawing her from School Board.  She also began to stay at an adult day care facility which eased Daddy's mind during the day while he was working.  

April of 2012 Momma turned 60, and her dearest sweet friends had a fantastic celebration for her.  I begged Jesus to see a smile on her face and to hear her laugh that day, and he kindly allowed us all to experience that joy.  Since then, Momma's condition has deteriorated significantly.  In October, Daddy made the difficult decision to move her into a full time memory care facility, as he was not able to provide her the 24 hour care that she needs.  While this is never what anyone would want to do, it was the best option.  Daddy typically visits her twice a day and is loving her so incredibly well.  Momma's precious friends continue to visit frequently and are such a blessing.  Our family visits as often as possible, and I am amazed at how gracious Lizzie and Lainie are in a really hard situation.  Olivia, on the other hand, typically just wants to eat Nana's food:) My time with Momma is spent just telling her about life and how much I love her.  It is painful, as my amazing and vibrant Momma is now only a shadow of the woman I have known my whole life, but what a treasure of gifts she has stored up in all she has taught me and so many others.  I have passed on her legacy of eskimo kisses and butterfly kisses to my girls, and we now share those at the end of our visits, most often getting a good smile. The Lyrics of Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus have echoed in my mind over the past month. He is so trustworthy. 

Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him,

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er,

Jesus Jesus, precious Jesus, 

Oh for grace to trust Him more. 

An expert on FTD recently did an assessment on Momma and predicts that she has had the disease for the past 10-15 years, but because of her high IQ and drive for excellence, she was able to compensate with little to no noticeable symptoms.  Now however, we are seeing the disease take its toll in fast forward motion.  The days ahead are scary and uncertain.  My prayer for our family is that we would be able to savor every interaction with Momma, loving her well and pointing her to Jesus, just as she has always done for us.  I pray that we would count our blessings and as children of the Lord, we would Rise and Shine and give Him the Glory He so deserves in the midst of heartbreak.