Easter Joy & Cavod Happenings!

Happy (belated) Easter! 🌷 I hope your hearts are still full from celebrating Jesus! He has risen! I am so grateful for the freedom and love we have because of Jesus! We had such a special time with our family and precious grandchildren—these moments remind me of God’s abundant blessings and the joy found in being together. One of our family traditions is to have a pinata for the young and old. There is always lots of candy for everyone!

We also celebrated the birthdays of our youngest son, Aaron, and our oldest grandson Micah. It’s hard to believe we have a grandson that is twenty years old! Time just flies by.

Dave and I took a moment to breathe and have breakfast yesterday, the day after Easter, at CoffeeCo, our favorite breakfast spot! We had a sweet time reflecting and sharing about our Easter Sunday and the joy of being with our kids, their spouses, and grandchildren. A big thank you to John & Heidi Smucker, owners of CoffeeCo, for sponsoring this Coffee With Connie email. We truly appreciate your generous support and are so blessed to partner with you and your heart for Cavod!

This past month was also extra meaningful for me—I had the honor of being a guest on Larry Kreider’s podcast, where we talked about my journey and the heart behind my new book, From Barn To Stage. It was such a sweet time of reflection on all God has done and is still doing! If you’d like to listen, here’s the link:

👉Podcast with Larry Kreider – From Barn to Stage

I am listening through the Bible this year and part of my reading this morning was found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-11:

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;

Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name;

Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”

What a beautiful reminder to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him in every season.

At Cavod Performing Arts, things are in full swing!

We are heading into one of our busiest (and most exciting!) times of the year:

🎉 Cavod Gala – “Ignite” is happening on Friday, May 2nd!

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year! We are expecting an inspiring evening celebrating the arts, testimonies, and the impact Cavod continues to have in our community.

🍗 Chicken BBQ Drive-Thru – Wednesday, May 7th | 11:00am–5:30pm (or until we sell out!)

Get ready for my famous homemade family secret recipe! It is only $12 for a meal and $7 for a leg & thigh combo.

➡️ Pre-order here!

Huge thanks to Bill & Amy from Grocery Outlet for sponsoring this entire event so that 100% of the proceeds go to Cavod—what a blessing!

📚 We’re wrapping up the school year, prepping for summer camps, and already looking ahead to the new school year. God continues to open doors and provide and we are so grateful.

Mark your calendars to attend Ornate, on May 9th & 10th!

This amazing show, performed at Cavod Theatre, is inspired by Max Lucado’s The Great House of God and brought to life through movement and spoken word. The performance takes a creative journey through the “rooms” of the heart—each one revealing powerful encounters with our loving Father, Friend, Counselor, and Guide.

Presented by Ornate Dance Theatre, Cavod’s professional dance company, this show highlights artists who boldly share their faith through dance. This is our first time performing in the round—an immersive experience you won’t want to miss!

🎟️ Purchase your tickets now and prepare to be inspired!

Prayer – May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He shine His face on you this week and give you much peace and joy in every circumstance.

Until next time, keep having quiet times with the Lord and a cup of coffee! ❤️