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The season of Pentecost is almost here! It is such a beautiful season! It is the time when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. During Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the impact it had on the disciples and the world. It marks the beginning of a new era, where believers are empowered to spread the gospel, exercise spiritual gifts, and live out their faith boldly. Pentecost reminds us of the ongoing presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, empowering us to live as witnesses for Christ and participate in the work of God's Kingdom. One of my favorite ways to celebrate Pentecost is with books. Reading books during Pentecost is such an easy and fun way to help our children embrace the season and to learn about important aspects of our faith. As I've mentioned before, I kept books separated in boxes according to the season of the church in our garage. The day before Pentecost began, I would bring in the box of books and place them in a basket in the living room. The kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. They would read them individually or I would read them to them over and over throughout the season. They were a powerful teaching tool to help my children understand what Pentecost is really about. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books that your family can use during the season of Pentecost. I hope they are a blessing! Josie Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley. I love this book! I read it to my children's church kids every Pentecost. It is about a little girl named Josie who is spending the day with her dad, getting her hair braided at Monique's Beauty Shop, and picking out a new red dress for Sunday because Sunday is Pentecost! In the process, she learns to celebrate the differences she sees all around her as part of God's plan for his creation. Breathe: A Child's Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time by Laura Alary. A beautiful book that invites children to wonder about and watch for the presence and work of the Spirit in practices of prayer and mindfulness. Slowly but surely, we discover that we are the body of Jesus now, his way of being in the world and that whenever we choose the way of love, Jesus is there. Always. The Day When God Made The Church by Rebekah McLeod Hutto is the story of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit shaped, and continues to shape, who we are as God’s Church. Children will learn the story of Pentecost: the sights, sounds, and events of that miraculous day described in the Book of Acts. They will also discover who the Holy Spirit is and how God calls each of us to follow Jesus. In the end, parents, educators, and ministers will discover fresh ways to celebrate Pentecost with children in their own churches and families. The Glorious Impossible by Madeleine L'Engle. The birth of Jesus was a Glorious Impossible. Like love, it cannot be explained, it can only be rejoiced in. And that is what master storyteller Madeleine L'Engle does in this compellingly written narrative, inspired by Giotto's glorious frescoes from the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. With a simple clarity that illuminates the life of Christ, Madeleine L'Engle gives an eloquent voice to the miracle of God's love.

GIVEAWAY! 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I’M GIVING AWAY A BRAND NEW COPY OF SONG OF THE SEASONS! I haven't done a giveaway in a while so I figured I would today! One of my favorite Christian children's authors, Glenys Nellist, just came out with her latest book, Song of the Seasons , and I LOVE it! Song of the Seasons is b ased on Psalm 98 and explores the idea that all nature sings praise to an Almighty Creator. As children wonder about creation, Song of the Seasons reveals the beauty found in every season: Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter. The reason for each season is to bring joy and reflect the many beautiful ways God has created the heavens and the earth. Song of the Seasons is the perfect book for discussing transition seasons, exploring how seasons are different, and learning how each season flows from one to another. Enter to win by liking this post, following me @ashleytumlinwallace , and commenting below on your favorite season and why you love it. I’ll pick a winner on Tuesday, May 14th. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, Paraclete Press, and is open to entrants living in the USA and Canada.

Happy St. Philip's and St. James' Day! St. Philip and St. James were both early followers of Jesus and are considered to be two of Jesus’ twelve apostles but little is known about them beyond that. We celebrate them on the same day because even though they died at different times and in different places, their bodies were moved and brought to the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome. St. Philip was one of the first disciples that Jesus called. Jesus called Phillip right after calling Andrew and Peter. Phillip then went and found his friend Nathanael and convinced him to come and see Jesus. It was Phillip who was asked by Jesus how to feed the three thousand to which Phillip gave the very practical response, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” At the Last Supper, Phillip asks Jesus to “show us the Father and we shall be satisfied” to which Jesus responds, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Phillip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.” St. Phillip followed Jesus as a faithful disciple and then became one of the Apostles, spreading the gospel and serving as a leader in the church. He was killed in Greece under the reign of the Roman emperor, Domitian. Tradition says he was crucified upside down, like James. St. James, also known as James the Less, is also one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is known as “James the Less” to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee and James, “the brother of the Lord.” He is referred to as James the son of Alpheus in the listing of the disciples. Both of them were martyred for their beliefs and devotion to Jesus Christ. Ways to Celebrate Read John 6:5-13 with your family. Why do you think Jesus tested Philip? How did Jesus feed so many people? Was there just enough food or more than enough? Since St. Phillip’s recorded interaction with Jesus involved bread, make bread with your children. Make Marinated Green Beans with Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta or any food associated with Greece since St. Philip was martyred in Greece.

The resurrection of Jesus is the apex of our Christian faith. For fifty days, we, as the people of God, celebrate this life-changing event. As we move through the Easter season, I am trying to be more intentional in celebrating. As Wendell Berry so powerfully states, I am trying to "practice resurrection" in my daily life. I've found that a powerful and easy way to practice resurrection in my home is with flowers. I make sure to keep a bouquet or little mini bouquets on our kitchen table all through the season of Easter to remind us that we are celebrating. Every time I walk through the room and see those flowers, I am immediately prompted to offer thanks and praise for all that was accomplished on my behalf through Jesus' death and resurrection and I hope that the same is true for my husband and children as well! Little Easter Flower Arrangements For the little Easter flower arrangements that are in the pictures, I used various sizes of canning or jelly jars, a bouquet of alstromerias from my grocery store, and a thrifted white tablecloth. Alstromerias are a very common flower bouquet sold in grocery stores. They are very inexpensive and when used by themselves, have a very sweet, simple look. I love them! Oh, and they last for a very long time!

Come to the Feast Go to the highways and hedges Go to the farthest of fields Go and compel the sick and the well For our Father’s house will be filled Go to the streets of the city Bring in the crippled and blind All who would taste this banquet of grace Must come and waste to more time Come to the feast, Come to the table The great and the least, the rich and the poor Come to the feast, Come to the table Come and hunger no more by Jeff Lawson There is always a section in my guidebooks on how to celebrate the season in your home. It involves our relationship with God and our relationship with ourselves but it also involves our relationship with others. As we walk through this season of Easter, how do we involve others? If we are a resurrection people, how do we practice resurrection with the world around us? Our priest invites us every Sunday with these words, “Alleluia! Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us!” To which the people respond, “Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!” Maybe one way to practice resurrection with those around us is to extend the feast to them. It’s incredible how one act can set something in motion that expands and expands until you find yourself looking around you in wonder, marveling at what the Lord has done. One Sunday I showed up at the church and was introduced to four young Ukrainians who had been sponsored by a precious couple at our church. The couple provided housing, one of their cars, and employment. One small act, one very mighty act of generosity, and extending the feast to others opened a floodgate of generosity and extending the feast from our entire church. We are a small church but we have now sponsored a total of ten beautiful souls and God has met us every step of the way. Our congregation rose up around these young men and women. They welcomed them with open arms, they gave them small jobs around their homes, they took them to do fun things, they threw a reception, they donated a car, they donated an entire kitchen’s worth of goods, they bought sectionals and sheets, pillows, and beds and they gave and they gave and they gave. I know that we have blessed them by extending the feast to them BUT with how the kingdom of God always works, we have been given so much more in return! They have always poured into our lives with their smiles, hugs, talents, and humor. They have enriched us and made us better people and a better church. After church one day as I was talking to the group, I told them how much I love Pysanky eggs and how I have always wanted to learn how to make them. One of the young men, Volodymyr, said matter-of-factly that he had been part of a Pysanky club at his school when he was a little boy. He told me that he would be happy to show me how to make them. You cannot imagine my surprise and excitement! We ended up having a large group over to our house, kids, my extended family, and the whole Ukrainian group. Volodymyr was the best teacher. He was so patient and gave the best instructions. He was also very skilled at drawing, the wax resist, and dyeing. We all gathered around as he taught us. We focused hard on our drawings and applications of wax and we laughed a lot. Probably too much since Pysanky is supposed to be a form of quiet meditation! Something incredible happens when you extend the feast to others, you receive unexpected blessings and connections. As a resurrection people, it is not enough to simply celebrate the season in our own homes but to share the joy and abundance with those around us. This act of extending the feast can start with one small act of generosity and expand into a floodgate of goodness, as seen in the story of the Ukrainian group sponsored by our church. By opening our hearts and homes to others, we not only bless them but are blessed in return with new relationships, experiences, and lessons. Come to the feast, Come to the table The great and the least, the rich and the poor Come to the feast, Come to the table Come and hunger no more

Tomorrow is the day we celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God. The Feast of the Annunciation is always a feast day even though it almost always falls during Lent. On this day, we remember the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would bear the Messiah. And we remember Mary’s beautiful response, “I am the Lord’s servant... May it be unto me according to your word.” We celebrate the Annunciation on this day because March 25 is nine months before another important celebration: the Nativity of our Lord which falls on December 25, Christmas day! Since today is a feast day, make waffles! Waffles covered in whipped cream are the traditional fare in Sweden for the Feast of the Annunciation. The tradition dates back to the 12th century. Jere Lewis' Famous Waffles 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 2 cups milk 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oil 2 heaping teaspoons of baking powder Preheat the waffle iron. Mix all ingredients until well blended. Pour slowly into greased iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve with syrup or whipped cream and fruit.

Happy first day of April! This is a huge month in the Liturgical Year; Holy Week, Easter, and the beginning of the season of Easter. We start with Palm Sunday where Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem and moves towards his death (and resurrection!) and the month will end by celebrating Jesus as our Good Shepherd on Good Shepherd Sunday. No need to get overwhelmed! I’ll be sharing everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: Make Pax Cakes for Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Mobile Palm Sunday Wreath Maundy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday Easter

Today I am thrilled to announce my latest book, The Liturgical Home: Easter! As Christians, we know that Easter is the most important day of the Christian year. It is the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his triumph over sin and death. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the basis of our faith for, as St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, “if Christ is not risen then your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” But “in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead!” And in his resurrection, he has defeated sin, death, and hell forever! This is why for Christians Easter is the most joyful and jubilant celebration of the entire year. But what happens after Easter Sunday? For many Christians, the celebration begins and ends on Easter Sunday and life returns to normal. But the miracle of Easter can’t possibly be contained in one day. Just as the birth of Jesus has an entire season of celebration known as the Twelve Days of Christmas or Christmastide, Easter also has a season of celebration known as Eastertide. Since Easter is the summit of our faith, Eastertide is a season of feasting and merrymaking that lasts for 50 whole days! Eastertide begins at the Great Easter Vigil on Easter Eve and lasts until the giving of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church on Pentecost. Unfortunately, many Christians are unaware of this season and miss out on its rich spiritual significance. This is why we need a book all about celebrating Eastertide. During the season of Eastertide, we bask in the glory of the resurrection and celebrate the new life that we have in Christ. For 50 days, Christians around the world feast together, sing together and rejoice together in the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior. It is a deep and meaningful time that helps us to fully appreciate what Christ has accomplished for us. Eastertide has a rich history with beautiful traditions and incredible foods from around the world. In this book, I’ve set about to recover those rich traditions that accompany the season. Not only are there explanations on the overall history of the seasons of the Church but also on the season of Eastertide. I provide the history of all the symbols and traditions we associate with Easter: Why are eggs a symbol of Easter? What’s the significance of the Easter basket? Why do we flower the cross on Easter Day? The background story to all of these things is just beautiful and will delight you as they did me. I recommend traditions for celebrating the whole season of Eastertide, as well as traditions for the specific days of Eastertide such as the Rogation Days and Ascension Day. I also include family devotions for the weeks of Easter as well as the special days, and (of course!) amazing Easter recipes from around the world. My hope is that this book will be a valuable resource for families who want to deepen their understanding and celebration of the beautiful season of Eastertide. Whether you are new to the Anglican tradition or a lifelong member, there is something in this book for everyone. So join me in celebrating this beautiful season of new life and resurrection, and let's journey together through the joyous 50 days of Eastertide. The Liturgical Home: Easter

Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday! Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the holiest days in the church's life - the Triduum. The Triduum begins at sundown on Maundy Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday. During these last three days, we walk Jesus to his death and then to his glorious resurrection. Starting with Maundy Thursday, we remember Jesus’ words, “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”. Because of his great love for us, Jesus laid down his life so that we might live with him forever. Like the old gospel song says: “What a friend we have in Jesus!” Beginning at sundown on Maundy Thursday, the church remembers how Jesus observed the Passover with his disciples. The Passover meal was pivotal in the lives of the Jewish people. It celebrated their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and how God acted mightily on their behalf. At the Passover, God established the Old Covenant with the Jewish people and promised to be their God. After Jesus celebrated the Passover meal, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” In the midst of the celebration of the Old Covenant, Christ announces the beginning of the New Covenant which is sealed by his own blood. Through Christ’s death, ALL people who believe in him are made part of God’s family. Maundy Thursday is actually a solemn feast day because it celebrates the beginning of Holy Communion and the New Covenant. We also remember how, after the institution of the New Covenant, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and told them to follow his example by serving others. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This new commandment is where Maundy Thursday gets its name. “Maundy” is from the Latin mandatum which means “commandment”. Finally, on Maundy Thursday, we remember Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal by Judas, his desertion by the disciples, his trial, and how he was mocked and beaten. Ways to Celebrate: Attend the Maundy Thursday service at your church. If your church does not have one, find one in your area that does. Read Matthew 26:17-29 or Luke 22:7-38 with your family. Discuss - What do you think it means when Jesus says that the bread is his body and the wine is his blood? Do you think the disciples were confused? Do you recognize some of the words that Jesus used? Read John 13:1-17 Discuss - What does it mean that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet? Who normally washed feet during Jesus’ times? What does Jesus tell his disciples to do after he washes their feet? Have a foot-washing ceremony with your family. Eat a meal reminiscent of the meal Jesus and his disciples ate. Remind your children that this meal is different than the Jewish Passover Meal because we are not awaiting the Messiah, Jesus already died and saved us. Because of this, Christians are not obligated to celebrate the Passover meal. Jesus has given us a new obligation, to celebrate the Eucharist in remembrance of Him. We are merely remembering, through food, what it must have been like for Jesus and his disciples. Suggested foods: Bitter Herbs: Dip a bunch of parsley in salt water and taste it. Haroset: Applesauce with cinnamon. Unleavened bread: Crackers, store-bought matzohs or pita bread will all work. Wine: red wine or grape juice for the children. Lamb: You could make a dish made with lamb or a roast. May you and your family have a blessed Maundy Thursday!

Bread has significant symbolism in the Christian faith. Bread is often used in Christian worship services as a symbol of the body of Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "bread of life," and his followers are instructed to "take and eat" the bread that represents his body. During Easter, in many Christian cultures around the world, special Easter breads are made. They are rich and dessert-like and incorporate foods not allowed during Lent such as eggs, butter, and sugar. The bread is often decorated with religious symbols such as a cross or with red-dyed Easter eggs, which symbolize the blood of Jesus Christ. Tsoureki or Greek Easter Bread is a delicious example of an Easter sweet bread. It is a brioche-like sweet bread, soft and fluffy and flavored with citrus, and decorated with red-dyed eggs. Tsoureki is a visually dramatic bread laden with symbolism. The bread represents Jesus as the Bread of Life. It has a three-strand braid to represent the Holy Trinity. The hard-boiled eggs represent the resurrection of Jesus and the red dye symbolizes the Blood of Christ. Finally, an egg wash gives it a shiny coating that symbolizes the Light of Christ. The bread is so fun to make, especially braiding the strands and adding the boiled eggs before baking! It has such a light and spongy texture and the citrus makes it absolutely incredible! I liked it all by itself but my kids slathered it with butter or made a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze to pour over it. Greek Easter Bread (Tsoureki) 5 cups flour, divided 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast or 1 packet 3/4 cup sugar, divided 1 cup warm milk 4 Tablespoons butter melted and cooled 3 eggs at room temperature and well-beaten 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest Topping: 1 egg, beaten 3 hard-boiled red-dyed eggs (I used naturally dyed red eggs. You can find the instructions here.) Warm the milk to 100-110 degrees. Add yeast and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Stir to combine. Set aside until the yeast blooms. Add 1 cup of the flour, the bloomed yeast mixture, and 1/4 cup of the sugar to a bowl. Mix (by hand or with a mixer) until all the lumps are gone (you will have a very thin mixture). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it stand for 30 to 45 minutes. This will develop the sponge. Add the melted butter and eggs and mix well. Pour 2 1/2 cups of flour, the salt, the remaining sugar, orange, and lemon zest into the dough and mix thoroughly to blend all the ingredients. Add the remaining flour to the dough and knead for about 10 minutes. If you are not using a stand mixer, grease your hands and the surface with olive oil, and then turn the dough out onto the surface and knead by hand. The dough will be very soft and sticky but will get easier to work with after kneading it for a while. You can use a bread scraper to keep scraping the dough up if it sticks to the surface. The dough will also become firmer after it proves. If you are tempted to add more flour, wait until after it proves. After you are done kneading the dough, form it into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean dishtowel and set aside to rise for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Place the dough on a floured work surface. Divide it into 3 equal sections, rolling each section into ropes about 15" long. Start in the middle and braid until you reach the end of the ropes. Tuck each end under. Press the red eggs into each braid. Cover the bread with plastic wrap and set aside to rise again for 1 hour on a greased baking sheet. Preheat oven to 350˚. Brush the bread (not the eggs!) with beaten egg and bake until golden, 40–50 minutes. If you notice the bread has reached a golden brown before the 40-minute timer goes off, drape a sheet of aluminum foil over the top of the bread and keep baking. Helpful Links: How to Dye Easter Eggs Red Using Natural Dye Cracking the Tradition: The Significance of Red Easter Eggs

The practice of dyeing eggs red for Easter is a longstanding tradition in the Orthodox Christian Church, particularly in Greece and other parts of Eastern Europe. The red egg is rich with symbolism; the red color symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed on the cross for the redemption of humanity and the egg itself symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus. The red eggs are often prepared on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. The eggs are boiled and then dyed red using natural dyes made from onion skins. The eggs are then placed in baskets of food that are blessed by the priest on Easter Sunday. The red eggs are then consumed as the first food eaten after the people attend the Great Easter Vigil. They are also exchanged as gifts among family members and friends as a symbol of the new life that Jesus' resurrection brings. If you'd like to know more about the tradition of dyeing eggs red for Easter, click here. I explain the history of the tradition as well as a beautiful legend about Mary Magdalene and how she shared her faith with Emperor Tiberius. I also share a wonderful children's book and a link to some delicious Lindt red chocolate eggs. Today, I'm sharing how to make red eggs using natural dye. You probably have everything you need in your home. You could use artificial red food coloring but I am sharing the traditional way to dye the eggs. I actually prefer this way because the colors seem more natural. How to Naturally Dye Your Eggs Red Supplies Eggs (You can use any color. I used white but brown would give you a much deeper red.) Water 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar per cup of dye Yellow onion skins (You want to use the dried flaky brown skins of the onion.) Olive oil -optional Boil your eggs in water and allow them to cool. Set aside. Fill a small pan with onion skins, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Strain the liquid into a cup. Add 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar to every cup of liquid. Submerge your cooled egg in the liquid. Allow to sit in the liquid for at least three hours (We let ours sit overnight.). Remove eggs from the liquid and dry them on paper towels. Once dry, you can either leave them as they are or rub them with olive oil and a paper towel so that they have a nice sheen. (I left mine natural.) I hope this activity is a blessing to you and your family! Helpful Links: Cracking the Tradition: The Significance of Red Easter Eggs The Significance of Eggs in Easter Easter Fun With Egg-Cracking Games

I know Pentecost was Sunday but the birth of the church and the gift of the Holy Spirit that made it all possible are really big deals! We are still celebrating Pentecost over here and today we made a Red Velvet Cake. I made a cake using Ina Garten’s Red Velvet cupcake recipe. I also switched out her cream cheese frosting for vanilla buttercream. It was amazing! Are you on team cream cheese frosting or team vanilla buttercream?