Family Weekend Re-cap

So this past weekend my family and I drove to NJ to spend the weekend with mom’s side of the family. It started with temple for Alyssa’s bat mitzvah and then continued with a kosher lunch, hanging out in a hotel and then concluded at a diner for dinner with Grandma. The next day was all music and dancing for the “All About Alyssa” extravaganza.

Through it a lot of things came out. I realize that I have respect for the Jewish culture but to be honest, after being a Christian there is no way I would choose to go back to being Jewish again. It’s a life of tradition, “goodness” and family, but that’s about it. Scripture comes to life and has meaning when you understand that there is a savior and He has already come. Life has meaning when you have a relationship with God and aren’t looking back to events that took place on a daily/weekly basis. And there is so much joy and excitement to be had as a true Christian. Church, although serious at time, should always be joyful and exciting. It’s not about sitting, standing, reading, singing and following a schedule. It’s about living for God because of everything He did for us through Jesus. I guess the conclusion is that without Jesus, God isn’t as freeing and joyful as I know him to be.

My other conclusion from this weekend is a real big one for me. Family is important to me. I knew this, but I don’t think I really knew it until this weekend. When I was upset that my little brother had to leave early and I wouldn’t get to spend time with him and Caitlin. When I got to hang out with Craig and get to know Nicole all weekend and look forward to hanging out with them again soon. When I gave my dad a hug just because I liked being around him. When I helped my mom get ready (even though she didn’t like what I did with her hair!) When I got to dance with my cousins and take pictures together. When I gave my Grandma a hug and realized how long it’s been since I’ve seen her. When I saw my uncles on the dance floor and realized that sometime between then and now they learned to dance pretty well! When I saw my aunts and they didn’t look the same as they did last time I saw them…

It’s amazing how great life seems but then you realize that life could be better. Family does make it better.

Here is a video of the party…pictures on my facebook or click here.