Visit to Atlanta

We are on a long visit back to Atlanta.  I have seen and heard some of the funniest things!  We've visited with good friends, and basically we are enjoying ourselves immensely.

I really don't have access to the internet so I won't be posting.  In the meantime...

 share some of the funny things you see and hear around you!

(And remember...you can share anonymously!  Just SHARE!)

Perfect Pairings

I am the Lord your God.  I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid.  I am here to help you. ~Isaiah 41:13

Julie & Julia

I cannot believe it took me THIS LONG to see Julie &; Julia.  I mean, it's a chick flick.  It's got food.  And it's about BLOGGING!  What more could I ask for?

Typically I am not a review type of girl.  I don't review books.  I don't review movies.  I also don't post recipes, but that's another post altogether.  I've got to tell ya, this was one good movie!  Well worth the wait.

The gist of the story is this:  young girl is in need of "something" in her life.  With the help of her husband she starts a blog to document her adventures as she cooks her way through Julia Child's cookbook.  Her tagline is 365 days, 524 recipes.

The setting:  Queens, New York.  The year:  2004 (but flip-flopping with Julia Child's life).

The characters: LOVED Julia Child's character, as well as her husband.  Julie and her husband could have been a little deeper, yet I still felt very involved with them.

I was engaged!  It was funny!  There was one tiny thing about the ending that disappointed me, but I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet.

And if you haven't seen it, do!  

(No, I'm NOT being paid to write this.  I wasn't even paid to see the movie.  Hey, don't people make money doing this?  Where's my money!?!)

Thankful Thursday

Seriously!?!  Another week gone?  Time is moving so fast.  So, so fast...

This week I am thankful for:
~ Our upcoming visit to Atlanta!
~ Connections.  I'm feeling more and more connected right now.
~ Grace.  I am not perfect, nor will I ever be perfect.  Yet I am loved and blessed daily.

My list is short this week, but each one is so deep and meaningful to me...

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Funny things JMonster says

Once again I find myself chuckling at some of the things JMonster says. Oh how I wish I could remember them all...

Recent funnies:
~Dude, you're naked!
~Oops, there go my undies.
~Lookin' like a fool...
~Momma (said in an exasperated tone)...I'm CONCENTRATING. He was not concentrating, just gearing up for being silly.
~Singing..."All the single ladies, all the single ladies..."
~Well heeeelllllooo gorgeous!

My brain has turned to mush. I should write down what he says when he says it so I won't forget. By the time I blog, late at night, it's all forgotten...

Missional Monday

Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach, Inc. is a Christian, non-profit organization founded in 1997 with a three-fold mission:

To provide support services to women experiencing unplanned pregnancies
To promote Christian parenting.
To promote adoption as a loving alternative.

Our motivation is to encourage women to choose life for their babies and to help women make sound parenting decisions. The object in mind is the children - it is our heart's desire to see children raised in loving, nurturing homes.
The support services of APO have been in existence since 1997. We feel that if we are going to encourage a woman to choose life for her baby that we should also provide any means necessary to help her through her difficult times.
Support services for birthparents are the heart of APO.
Adoption services were added in 2002 because some expectant parents feel that placing their child in an adoptive home is the best parenting decision they can make. Our adoption program exists because of our pregnancy support program. We see our adoptive families as a resource for our birthfamilies - not the other way around. We are convinced that this is the most ethical model in which to offer our services.
Being a Christian organization, our waiting-to-adopt families have a love for Jesus Christ and base their lives on the principals laid forth in the Bible. When it comes to adoption, we believe that children are very honored in the open adoption format. We recognize that some birth families and adoptive families may be uncomfortable with the idea of open adoption. We ask that you allow us an opportunity to tell you the truths of what open adoption is and dispel myths of what it is not.

We understand that when a birthparent is seeking the best outcome for an unplanned pregnancy, the details can seem overwhelming. It is our desire to help you sift through the details so you can make a wise decision for your child...a decision you can feel confident about for the rest of your life.
We look forward to getting to know you and we wish you the best on your journey.
Warmly,
The Staff and Volunteers
Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach, Inc.

Please take some time and check out this wonderful organization on their website! See if their mission can help you match your passion with your purpose.

Perfect Pairings

Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee. Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers. ~Proverbs 1:8

If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction! ~Proverbs 12:1

This is a BLOG announcement:

I don't really care how many people read my blog. Not really. Okay, maybe that's a small lie.
It IS kind of fun to see lots of people reading.

Mostly, I like to see where people who read my blog are from.

Except, there are a few of you who scare me.

It's almost like you're stalking me.

So...STOP!

Let me introduce you to GOOGLE READER, or iGoogle, or PubSub. They are ways to subscribe to a blog and see every single one of their posts. Without having to check back every 2 minutes.

So my family doesn't think you are stalking me.

Go sign up for one. Now! I mean it people...

A little tax humor for you...

Thankful Thursday

Could it REALLY be Thursday again!?! I would swear (you shouldn't swear, Swizz, it's considered impolite and could be construed as a sin in most circles) that I just did my Thursday post. Didn't I?

Things I am thankful for this week:
1. Bluebonnets! They are everywhere right now.
2. Being chosen. God chose me. Little old me. And I'm glad He did.
3. Friends. My friends have been wonderful support this week, both new and old friends.
4. The Rev. He's been traveling a lot lately, and yet he does an amazing job of supporting me when he is here.
5. Modern travel. After seeing the train earlier this week, it reminded me that in times past people had to take days, weeks, and even months to travel distances we travel in minutes and hours. For that I am extremely grateful!

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Random Questions

Okay, this one truly is a random question. It comes from reading blogs and following people on twitter, as much as it does from every day real life...

Would you rather be around someone who makes their whole life out to be perfect, who makes their whole life out to be a series of tragic events, or who tells it like it is?

I just know there are people who enjoy all 3 types of friends...which do YOU find yourself drawn to?

Friends...

I found out yesterday that one of my dear friends from high school passed away recently. He had a massive heart attack and died, leaving behind two kids and his wife. I mourn for their loss. I mourn for mine.

In the face of this loss, one of my first thoughts was of another dear friend from high school. He was one of my best friends for years...one of the people I called FIRST or thought of FIRST when I had a story to tell. A feeling to share.

We became friends my freshman year in high school. He was two years older and the older brother of one of my long time friends. We had met once before, but I really didn't know him.

Our friendship lasted through high school. Through college. Through grad school.

He was in my wedding.

I thought I would be in his.

One day I left a message for him telling him something about what was going on in life. His wedding was getting close and I was excited to finally meet his fiancee. You see, we lived HOURS apart and he had dated her for only a short time. The Rev and I hadn't had time to meet her, but we were very happy for him.

Sometime that night, or possibly in the next couple of days, he called. He was yelling. Telling me how horrible I had been. Asking how I could do that to him.

I thought he was joking. I hadn't done anything.

And then I realized he was serious. Dead serious.

I crawled on the floor of my closet and sobbed. I told The Rev I couldn't talk anymore. He took the phone and tried to talk some sense into him.

This is someone I thought my children would call "Uncle". Would be there for all of the births, birthdays, and everything in between. Someone my husband hugged and shared jokes with. Someone I thought of like a brother.

He told me we couldn't be friends anymore. That he was getting married and it was not okay for men and women to be friends.

Even though we had been friends for years after I got married. He was friends with my husband.

He said it was wrong. And that we shouldn't come to the wedding.

I haven't spoken with him since then.

I've thought of him and prayed for him often.

It still makes me feel sick to think he will never meet my little boy.

He doesn't know that my Dad passed away 4 1/2 years ago.

He wasn't there through every hill and valley we've had since then.

To think he CHOSE not to be in my life.

How can you do that to family?

Missional Monday

Hey guys! I need your help. I am looking for organizations I can focus on in my Missional Monday series. They need to be outreach organizations, health-related non-profits, or non-profits that have a good ministry... and they are in good standing with the BBB.

You have any organizations you support with your time, talent, or treasure?

List them in the comments and I'll look at including them in Missional Monday in the future.

THANKS!

Perfect Pairings

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~Psalm 18:2

Last Steam Locomotive Built for Union Pacific Railroad Visits South Texas for the First Time to Celebrate Railroad History and Heritage

Visiting THIS train is JMonster's and my plan for our Saturday afternoon.
A young boy's dream!
(We will post pictures later if we are able to get any.)

Thousands of people have lined the route as Union Pacific Railroad's No. 844, the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific, travels to and from Texas to celebrate railroad history and heritage in the Rio Grande Valley.

"The crowds along the route have been tremendous and we sincerely appreciate those who have taken the time to come and experience a part of Union Pacific's heritage," said Joe Adams, vice president of public affairs for Union Pacific's Southern Region. "With this being the first time No. 844 has been south of Houston, we thought it only fitting to name the tour after a very popular Missouri Pacific passenger train, the Valley Eagle, which operated between Houston and Brownsville."

The Valley Eagle consisted of four cars: two coaches, a grill-coach and a mail car. The two coaches were unique in that one end of each passenger rail car had picture windows that allowed rear viewing as the train was pulled. When service started, the grill coach was placed between the two coaches so that the viewing windows of the coaches were at each end of the train. When the train reached Brownsville, the locomotive and mail car were simply switched to the head of the train without having to turn all the cars around for the trip back to Houston. The Valley Eagle began running in late1948 and was discontinued in June 1962. Missouri Pacific merged with Union Pacific in 1982.

No. 844, also known as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," returned to service in 2005 after one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls in the United States since the 1950s. The work began in 2000 and nearly every part was overhauled including its running gear, pumps, piping, valves and springs, along with replacement of its firebox and extensive boiler work. No. 844 was built and delivered to Union Pacific Railroad in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.

When diesel-electric locomotives took over all passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.

ZOODLES

No, you don't need to bless me. I didn't sneeze.

I'm just talking about something GREAT we've just discovered in our house...

Zoodles Kid's Browser

"Our goal is to give kids a safe place to play and learn online. We knew that we couldn’t just give kids a typical browser and send them off to explore. Most sites today are way too complicated for young kids to navigate on their own, and they don’t provide enough safety from all the bad stuff lurking on the web.

So, we started from scratch. We built a FREE browser, especially for kids, that makes it simple for them to find lots of fun activities – all by themselves. By launching the icon on your desktop, your child will enter a full-screen mode of Zoodles that will keep them from exiting out and finding inappropriate content or accidentally deleting your important files."

Zoodles makes playing on the internet SAFE for kids AND for the COMPUTER! Kids can play age appropriate games, by themselves, while you don't have to fear them disturbing your files or computer content. They can't get to anything other than ZOODLES!


Don't they look like such big kids?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

1. My family.
2. The cold front blowing away some of the pollen.
3. The beautiful wildflowers growing everywhere here in Texas.
4. The smell of pot roast coming from the slow cooker.
5. The Bible Study I joined yesterday. Love it!
6. ZOODLES! (More about this tomorrow!)

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Infertility, adoption, and kiddos (part 10)

If you'd like a refresher or just need to catch up, go HERE, HERE, HERE , HERE ,HERE , HERE , HERE , HERE and HERE.

A wonderful son, a miscarriage, and an ectopic pregnancy. All the makings of an infertility soap opera. Except one...

The next summer was the summer of 2008. I won't go into details in order to protect those who need protecting, but sometime in the spring we were informed of a young lady who was pregnant. We prayed for her for months and then found out she was looking to put the baby up for adoption.

We hurriedly went through the home study process.
(We didn't know this person! This was a leap of faith...)

We got our fingerprints done...I had mine done in booking at the county jail!

We sent her a letter introducing ourselves.
(It was a beautiful letter, heartfelt)...I just reread it...

We got the call. She was in labor.

And she wanted US to be her child's adoptive family.

I don't know how to share the emotions we all went through that summer. Adoption is a wonderful and messy process. It's imperfect and beautiful.

So I prayed. And prayed. And grew closer and closer to God...

And then the birth father showed up. And a legal battle ensued.

And just like that we weren't going to adopt this beautiful child.

Our call now was to pray for him and his life as he stayed with his birth mother and her family. And got sent back and forth to the birth father (who I won't share about since God loves him, but my feelings for him aren't quite what they should be).

And so now we are back to the beginning. We still have 2 frozen embryos. We still would love to adopt.

But pregnancy was horrible on my body. The Rev doesn't want me to go through it again. My mom brings me articles on surrogacy. And I've been through two miscarriages and we're more sure than not that these two embryos would have the same fate.

And in the end I just have to trust God. During the adoption summer, He kept telling me to wait. He reminded me of Noah and the trust he had for over 150 years that God would fulfill what He had told him.

So I wait. For a surrogate?
We can't afford one right now. (Um, they can cost up to $120,000!)

To adopt?
Same problem.

I just KNOW in the depths of my heart that there are children out there for our family. And that one day we will be blessed with them.

I don't know when.

I don't know how.

I don't know how many!

But I have faith.
And with faith, and maybe the help of a few friends, we will be blessed.

GO HERE FOR THE NEXT PORTION

Birthday Blessings

Today is my Mom's birthday.

I would tell you WHICH birthday, but she might shoot me.
So to stay alive, I will just say she is 2 times my age, -2. Good luck!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Perfect Pairings

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them,

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; he has risen!

Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' "

Then they remembered his words.

Luke 24:1-8

JMonster's 4th birthday in pics

We spent JMonster's birthday traveling around the local area. We visited a rose emporium, ate lunch at the Brenham airport where they have a 50's style diner, and then headed to the river and Washington on the Brazos. Many of the family were there (there were 15 of us total!)...and the kids were happy and exhausted at the end of the day. Enjoy the pics!

In the car, looking cool on the way to the Rose Emporium...

"Bottle Bush"...not to be confused with a Bottle Brush Bush, which is a real bush!

JMonster and Ry Ry running on the mazes

Jmonster and Jewels peeking in an old schoolhouse.

Trying to get 7 kiddos to smile...all at the same time!?!

JMonster had a BALL on the swing at the Emporium!


Flower


Watching the plane take off...A wanted everyone to know that JMonster is now FOUR!


A cool plane at the Brenham Airport. It was *that* close!

Cousins running at Washington on the Brazos.


Jewels and Ry Ry acting tough!


I absolutely ADORE this picture.

Aunt Bambi

Baby C


Swizz and The Rev


The Grandmas!

A

Bean telling me how to take the picture. Typical!

JMonster enjoying his birthday, monkey style.

My boys.

Good? Friday...a revisit

Today I'd just like to share with you the scripture concerning Jesus' arrest, sentencing, and crucifixion. The Rev, JMonster, and I are grateful for the sacrifice that our Lord, Jesus Christ, made for us on the cross. We are humbled that He loves us so much that He was willing to die for each of us. As Easter comes upon us, let us remember that sacrifice and love, and be moved to share it with others.

John 18-19 (New International Version)

John 18

Jesus Arrested

¹When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

²Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. ³So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

⁴Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

⁵"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

⁷Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

⁸"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." ⁹This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

¹⁰Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

¹¹Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

Jesus Taken to Annas

¹²Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him ¹³and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter's First Denial

¹⁵Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, ¹⁶but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

¹⁷"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not."

¹⁸It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

²⁰"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ²¹Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."

²²When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.

²³"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" ²⁴Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter's Second and Third Denials

²⁵As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?"
He denied it, saying, "I am not."

²⁶One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" ²⁷Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Jesus Before Pilate

²⁸Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. ²⁹So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"

³⁰"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

³¹Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. ³²This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

³³Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

³⁴"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

³⁵"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

³⁶Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

³⁷"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

³⁸"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. ³⁹But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

⁴⁰They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

John 19

Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified

¹Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ²The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe ³and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.

⁴Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." ⁵When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"

⁶As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"
But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

⁷The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

⁸When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, ⁹and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

¹¹Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

¹²From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

¹³When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). ¹⁴It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.

¹⁵But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

¹⁶Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. ¹⁷Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

¹⁹Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ²¹The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."

²²Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

²³When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

²⁴"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
"They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.

²⁵Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," ²⁷and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus

²⁸Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." ²⁹A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. ³⁰When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³²The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," ³⁷and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

The Burial of Jesus

³⁸Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. ⁴⁰Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. ⁴¹At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴²Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Although this day is ultimately good for us, I'm not quite sure who had the audacity to label it Good Friday. Black Friday would be more appropriate, in my mind.