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I always have been a big fan of Easter.
We go to church, we eat lots of food, we go play with animals at our friends farm.

Good times. Always expect that.

But today, something happened that I can hardly even comprehend.

I think that today, I saw joy for the first real time.
I mean...I know that I have encountered joyful people in my life, and I have claimed to know the difference between joy and happiness...but today, I got it.

Our church had a baptism at its Easter service, and seeing some of my students get baptized...is something I will always remember. Seeing their faces as they made that public declaration of their relationship with their creator...was a beautiful sight.

I think though, there were three specific instances amidst all the incredible moments where I saw the most vivid depictions of true joy.

One of our high-schoolers Carly got baptized. So rad. But the cool thing that was as she was walking into the pool I saw her sobbing and wondered why she was so emotional about this. Then I saw behind her, and elderly man who was dressed in full Easter attire--obviously had not planned to be baptized. She mouthed to me "my grandpa is getting baptized too!" Seeing them go down together, and come up together...was something so beautiful. She could not contain her joy, and I now realize how incredible that must have been for her to see her grandfather making the public declaration, even at his age. Next was man who was also sobbing as he was prayed over in the pool. I could tell that this was the end of a long and painful journey, and that Jesus had met him in a very special place. When he rose all he could find it in his soul to do was to praise Jesus, and he started worshipping and praising the Lord right there in the pool. I have never seen anyone look so redeemed and loved in my entire life, and I felt that God was showing himself to me in that moment. Lastly, one of our Jr. High boys Kevin brought one of his friends to the service with him. Kevin is one of those kids that we are always yelling at in church...you know the kind that you have a love/hate relationship with. But as he was walking his friend down to the pool, I saw how excited he was for his friend. He stood with his friend as he was being prayed over, and started screaming and cheering as he came up from the water. I lost it. One of our 7th grade boys, someone who I would have never expected showed me what true joy for a friend's redemption looks like.

Today was incredible.

He is risen.
{He is risen indeed}

Written by Lauren at 8:35 PM 
Get some, get some Costa Mesa, CA
