A Different Kind of Resurrection!!

Easter this year was so busy, we didn't seem to have time to squeeze in all of the traditions we usually have (dying eggs, watching Jesus of Nazareth, doing the Resurrection Eggs) but we did manage to do some of them. Danny's family was coming over for Easter dinner, and so preparations for that took up much of the weekend. On Friday night, the kids asked if I could try to make homemade rolls - which by the way I have never made before - but a dear friend of mine promised she would teach me how to make hers. So, Friday night I e-mailed her and she replied with these words "Sure! You are the FIRST person outside our family for generations to EVER get this recipe!!" No pressure. I felt bad at this point for asking, but she assured me it was okay and she was even willing to come over and help me.


I didn't want her to come over the day before Easter as she was having her family over on Sunday as well, so I told her I would attempt them on my own. First mistake. Four hours later, the dough had NOT risen! When she called to check on the progress, and I told her, she insisted on coming over and we make another batch together. GREAT! Four hours later - this batch also did NOT rise! She called at around 9:30 pm and I told her that even though they hadn't risen, we were making a new Easter tradition, checking the bowl every 20 minutes to see if anything had risen! (very symbolic for this particular holiday, huh?) Luckily, I had no faith in my baking skills, so I had purchased "backup" rolls at the store that morning and told her I would just serve those.

Easter morning comes. Danny and I go to the side porch and discover a huge bag of freshly baked, homemade, famous recipe rolls with a note that said "Behold! They have risen!!" After laughing at her sense of humor, we just stood there in awe and very touched that someone would make such great efforts to make sure we had homemade rolls on Easter Day. It takes some time first to make the dough, let it rise, shape, rise again, and then bake. She had stayed up who knows how late to do all this, and then have them on my door by 6 a.m. We will NEVER forget this kindness, and every time we make these rolls, we will always remember her amazing, selfless love for us. I sense that I will always make these for Easter too!!

This is a picture of the infamous rolls that we feasted on for Easter. Thank you dear friend, who must remain nameless, as I am sworn to secrecy never to reveal the recipe!!

Well, Monday came along and I decided to try again. I was determined to learn how to make delicious rolls for my family. I have wanted to do this for years! But alas, God has a sense of humor. Once again, my rolls did not turn out, and as I pulled them out of the oven, we found this one (below).

Do you see the smiling face, mocking me for my complete inability to make a light, fluffy, delicious roll??? This hardened lump of stone was just too much. The roll story had just gotten even better!!

Jacob ate it anyway.