199 Easter

The next morning Aisling gives the ladies their dishes that they are responsible for Easter dinner. Aunt Charlie is in charge of baking the bread and rolls, HeJin is in charge of the pies and Salali the cakes. While they are baking Maureen,Debra and Aisling are snapping beans . Moll is pealing the potatoes and getting the eggs ready for the kids to dye. The men are outside setting up the tables and tents for the next days dinner. Remi is making the chocolate bunnies for each of the kids. Thomas and a few of the older cousins are filling the plastic eggs for the egg hunt. Crystal and Brayden are helping Eva with picking cherry blossoms and flowers from the field. The day is beautiful and warm . They hear one of Debra's twins scream and go running. She is by the barn some bees have made a nest so Astila gets the smoker and removes the wasp nest while Sam takes care of her hand. Aisling comes over with a salve to help with the sting. She looks at Sam and asks.

"Can you and Astila check around the barn and areas that the little ones will be in. Make sure that there are no more hives. Astila if you can relocate the bees to beyond the creek that way they won't be close to the house anymore. " Astila knows that Aisling does not like to kill anything unless it's to be eaten. So he already was thinking of where he could put the hive. He climbed down from the loft with the hive  and puts it in a bucket to carry it to the other side of the creek. Sam stayed behind to look for more nests. Debra takes the baby back into the house to sit and calm down so she will be out of the way of their work. In no time all of the tables are  set up and ready. Thomas has all of the baskets and eggs ready for the next day. Yona was told by Remi to come with her. She takes him to the living room where it is covered with baskets. She brings the homemade bunnies and tells him one goes in each basket. He starts helping her with the baskets and when they are done he asks

"which ones belong to Crystal,Brayden and the twins?" She points to the four largest baskets.

"Since this is their home they have larger baskets. They each get a small one like everyone elseand the larger ones will be from us. I will finish Crystal's tonight when she goes to sleep. The other three will be sent home with Winona and Debra to be finished. What's in the baskets right now are gifts from our home to theirs. " Yona sees that the baskets are pretty full already and goes upstairs to get the things he got from Chicago. 

"I got each of the four kids a chocolate basket filled with candies and these are for you. Marshal picked up a few things also but I don't know when he will bring them. " Remi looks at the items and puts one in each of the four baskets. Smiling at how nervous Yona is over his gift she leans into him and kisses his cheek whispering thank you. 

"I never realized how much our uncles did for us because Dad was always to drunk to do it. I remember Steve and John always made sure we had someone by our sides helping. I am glad that I have Sam he does so much for the girls. I never feel like they are going to be left out. Thank you for always including us in everything." Debra's voice is nervous sound which makes Aisling look sharply at her. 

"Of course you are always included you are my sister. I would be sad if you were not here. I know things have been strained at times but we are still family and you are my sister that will never change." The two sisters hold hands as they watch their husbands with the babies. 

Easter morning Crystal jumps out of bed and goes to wake everyone up. It's time to get ready for church. Remi gets her dressed in her new clothes that Yona got her in Chicago. Before going to church the ladies put the turkeys in the roasters and ovens so they will be cooking while they are out. Salali is excited for today Randy will be here for church and dinner, he said he wants to talk to the brothers about their future. Randy's parents have comeback from California for the holiday. When they all arrive at church there is barely a place to sit, several of the cousins stand and allow the pregnant women sit. Going to the back to stand. The assistant Paster stands and opens the service. 

"This morning we are here to give thanks for our savior who took our stripes and gave his life for our sins. We also want to give special thanks for the return of our Pastor. I used to bug him to give me more responsibility there is a saying be careful what you ask for. Well I did not realize just how time consuming and how much he did everyday. So I am happy to hand the reigns back over to him. I will be still doing more than before so that he does not over tax himself like in the past. Now let us bow our heads in prayer." Everyone bows their heads and prays silently giving thanks for the day . When prayers were over John stands behind the pulpit and begins his sermon. 

"In the gospels the story of Jesus is told. Each one slightly different from the perspective of the writer. By each having different views of the same events we get different lessons taught . We are not just given a list of his miracles but we are given a fuller picture of who he was. We all need to strive to be more like him in our everyday lives not just on special days. Jesus was kind and giving, he was also forgiving. When he tells you to turn the other cheek he is telling you to forgive. He is not telling you to allow that person to continue to hurt you just to forgive them of their past deeds. Forgiveness is not just for the person who is in need of forgiveness. It is for the person doing the forgiving. By forgiving those who have harmed us we release the pain and anger in our souls so that we are not burdened by the negative impact to our lives. Forgiving others frees up our heart to have room for kindness and love. There is a saying that if hate lives in your heart then love cannot reside there. So today I challenge you to live like Jesus and show a forgiving heart to those around you. It will bring you peace and keep your heart open to the positivity and blessings that abound. Let's bow our heads in silent prayer and then we will be released today to enjoy the bounty of love that God has bestowed upon us." Everyone says a silent prayer of thanksgiving and forgiveness. As they are leaving the church everyone is hugging and giving well wishes for the holiday. Astila watches his wife tightly embrace each person with a smile. Some have done things that most would not be able to forgive but not Aisling she forgave her siblings and her aunts without question. He is thankful for all he has learned in the time of being with his wife. She is truly a remarkable woman. John comes over and greets them. 

"It takes three times as long to get into the church and to get out of it on a holiday. So I try to make the sermon short and sweet,  So that the ladies can socialize a bit . This the only chance most of them will get to take a break today. I told Marshal to go ahead and take a few of the older boys to the house to hide the eggs for the egg hunt. That way the younger kids won't have to wait to long for it." A member of the congregation calls for John and he leaves them on their own.