Happy Resurrection Day!

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna ( the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household), Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

We had many considerations in choosing our daughter's name, like any parent. I have always liked the name Joanna.

It is the title of a song of unattainable love as a "commoner" in a favorite musical sings to his beloved Joanna, daughter of an upper class politician.

Joanne is Be's sister's name - she passed away only recently.

And after just a little bit of biblical research, we found that Joanna was one of the first people on the scene after Jesus' resurrection. The angel at the tomb spoke directly to Joanna and the other women when he said "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" ...... so ..... Joanna it is! (We added Mei -beautiful - to the name in recognition of her heritage.)

And our heart's desire is that she come to faith in Christ early on and serve Him with zeal. Joanna of the Bible must have been one special gal. After all, God chose her to be one of the first to spread the message "He is risen!" - the fact which is central to the Christian faith.

So, from our family to yours, Happy Easter. He is risen!

May the risen Christ shine His light upon you and remain with you. ..... and even if you are not Christian, we wish you His light and peace. He is central to our faith. Our faith identifies who we are.

And when a holy day central to your faith comes along, we will receive your blessings with honor and appreciation as well.

Luke 24

The Resurrection

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words.9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.