your photo stories to Practice Resurrection (week 5) + enter our giveaway!

"... we should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children's games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts, anything that comes to mind. this is our greatest festival....This is our greatest day. We should put the flags out.

...if Lent is a time to give things up, Easter ought to be a time to take things up. ...The forty days of the Easter season, until the ascension, ought to be a time to balance out Lent by taking something up, some new task or venture, something wholesome and fruitful and outgoing and self-giving."

Want to join me, to practice resurrection for Eastertide?

Take something up and share it with us.  Maybe a six-week dance class?  We want you to show us a picture. Planting spring flowers (maybe a new variety this year)? Show us!  Taking a new route to work (maybe taking more time than necessary in honor of the mad farmer)?  Share it!

may 10

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I saw a pile of wilted apple blossoms on the sidewalk. My eight-year-old son saw spring's version of snow as he tossed piles of petals into the air. Every day, my kids teach me how to see. 

(Michelle DeRusha, Lincoln, NE)

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Remnants of our Star Wars cookies for a cause with Austin Bakes. We've done it before, but here's hoping these bad boys are a small part of some Eastertide resurrection for West, TX.  (Krista Vossler, Austin)

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I'm in love with her.  

(Richard Nichols, Vestal, NY)

note:  Yes, this is my new niece!  Remember the rag rug her mama was making for her and shared in our first Practice Resurrection post?  She's here! Take up something new, indeed.)

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I've been working down my "homesteading skills to learn" list. This week's thing: two new fermented vegetable recipes, packed with nutrient dense, probiotic goodness for our bodies.

(Phaedra Taylor, Durham)

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A recent hike, looking at all God created, allowed me to have time of fellowship with Him through the breaking forth of spring. The sacrament of praise was alive within and without. He tuned my heart to sing His praise.

(Tammy Burger, Binghamton, NY)

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My first facial on our girls retreat weekend. The honey tasted great, and look how well I match the wall!

(Macia Hill, Binghamton, NY)

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Picture jumping six feet to grab a hanging trapeze from the top of that pole while all your friends chant your name. Last weekend at the first ever Christ ChurchYouth Retreat, 30 students shared life together.

(Brian Murphy, Austin)

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Planning birthday parties to celebrate those I love has always been easy. Planning a celebration for a new teenager, though proved to be a challenge. By the looks on their faces - I think we succeeded.

(Robin Perry Ball, Newport News)

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As we listened to sound of frogs at sunset, she danced.

(Blythe & David Taylor, Durham)

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Each week for the rest of May I'll select one motivational print from PJeanArtMachine to give away to one of YOU photo story contributors.

Three easy steps to play along our Practice Resurrection photo story series (and get your name entered in a weekly drawing):1. Take up something new. (one day or fifty days doesn't matter, just one thing that's new or, maybe just unique with this season)2. Take a picture and write a description in 36 words or less.3. Share the photo and the 36 word or less caption with me via email or facebook message by Thursday morning each week of the series.

A few more ways to enter the weekly drawing, leave a comment (on this post) every time you:Like This Sacramental Life on Facebook. Like The Ambrosium (Phaedra's fan page) on FacebookFavorite PJeanArtMachine on Etsy Become an email subscriber to This Sacramental Life Share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Google + or Pinterest (use all the cute little icons at the bottom of the post)

This week's giveaway

Print details at PJeanArtMachine on Etsy.

On Monday mornings each week in May I'll announce the winner from the previous week and reveal the next print to give away.