Easter Cookies and Pictures

I got this from a mother of one of my kids in my class. She said that she did this last year with her kids and really liked it. I am going to try this with Abby this year.

Cookies for Easter to be made the evening before Easter.

You will need: to preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait until you'rehalf done with the recipe)!
1 cup whole pecans 1 tsp.
Vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch salt
1 cup sugar
Zipper baggie
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. Vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Palms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white Represents -- in God's eyes -- the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9

I encourage you to share The Easter Cookie Story With Friends and Family

We took Abby and Kate to get pictures made last Sunday. It is such a HUGE ordeal to go and get BOTH girls' picture made. While we were waiting, Abby was spinning this spinner around looking at the frames that were on it...well...one fell off and grazed Kate's face. Not bad at all, but bad enough so that she couldn't get her pictures made!!! So, I am going to have to take Kate back. Abby went ahead and had pictures made by herself. I thought they turned out good.

I hope everyone has a good Easter. Please take time to read and reflect on what Easter is all about....Our Lord Saviour Jesus, and what He did on the cross that day, and how miraculous it was that He rose.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)