Pictures: Climbing Stone Mountain and Easter Services...and Skylar
My daughter, Krystal has decided upon a tradition with her dad. Every Easter we are to climb Stone Mountain at dawn for the Easter Sunrise Service. I survived again this year, and would like to share some pictures of the morning journey and the morning worship service at our church.
Here's my partner in crime, my 20-year-old College student who thinks it's funny to watch dear old dad struggle up a giant granite mountain.
I stop to rest at about a thousand steps. Not too tired. The next picture is at about halfway. The look is getting sadder. There will be a half dozen more stops, and some serious thoughts about quitting. The look is getting much sadder. I'll spare you the details, and Krystal's sadistic humor.
Stone Mountain really is a spectacular view, well worth the trip and the time with my amazing daughter. She is a joy, and I am glad I endured a near-death-experience with her.
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Now it was on to Easter worship at my church. I was rushed, as I promised to give Rod a ride to church this morning. He asked me for a ride, and I said "yes" before he told me he lived fifteen miles away. But, a promise is a promise.
Easter lilies adorn the front of the sanctuary, the color a reminder of the purity of Christ and the shape to trumpet His resurrection. And, they are a festive addition for the celebration parcel to Easter.
Pretty little girl, dressed in her Sunday finest, all excited about Easter. I call the children down to the front for a special Children's Sermon. This little girl and her family are almost always present for church. Just a few years ago they were not attending church. In God's mysterious and wonderful way we made connection, and now these good people are an integral part of so much that God is doing in and through our fellowship.
Skylar's first Easter. Did I tell you she was my granddaughter? I think she is a rather pretty little 6-week-old. She is wearing her mother's first Easter dress. I think she look just like her mom.
I saved my favorite picture for last. Don't look at the new haircut; I did climb Stone Mountain this morning. And the cheesy smile is because Skylar is looking at me and displaying the very biggest of smiles. Ah, but life indeed is good.
Happy Easter to all!
04.16.06 (7:07 pm) [
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posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
04.16.06 (3:57 pm)
Awww!! Good pics! Glad you survived your morning treck. lol
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
04.16.06 (4:06 pm)
Indeed. I thinking about taking next year's trip as a challenge. It would be rewarding to be in such good physical condition that my daughter would not be able to keep up with me next year. Of course, the price would be great.
posted by:
cuz (
reply)
post date:
04.16.06 (4:13 pm)
Quite a man pastor, climb to a mountain top and still make church all in one morning. How long has this been a tradition with you and your daughter?
From the looks of things in the photo of you sitting on the rock...you might want to think of an alternative for the future. I hear some of the memorial gardens hold a nice Sunrise Service. Should you "croak out" there...well, you know.
All kidding aside, I've never seen you look more gracious than in the photo holding little Skylar.
"An armful of blessings."
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.06 (4:20 pm)
I tend to stay away from cemetaries, except when I conduct funerals. My mom thinks that is strange. So, I'll not be attending any Resurrection Ceremonies at any memorial garden. So you think I need to find another tradition? Actually, at Stone Mountain, they have a sky-tram that will take you to the top of the mountain. I thought about it, but all the people in line looked old. And I'm determined to not be old. So, in defiance of them and just to show my daughter that I was up to the task, I climbed the mountain. Big mistake, I am now being told by my feet/back/legs/toes/arms.
Skylar is a joy to me. I never dreamed....
posted by:
mom's heart (
reply)
post date:
04.16.06 (5:30 pm)
You don't like cemetaries? What would you have done with the bodies of deceased, but I hope, loved ones? They aren't going to jump up and get you Dave. Don't you do that old southern gathering called Decoration Day? You can't avoid them forever; unless the Lord returns soon. What do you have against a cemetary?
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.16.06 (5:34 pm)
Great pics. So she waited till you were how old to start this tradition? She IS sadistic, but you'll treasure it anyway. I'll bet if you do it three times a week for the next year it'll be way easier next Easter, (assuming it doesn't kill you.) Skylar's growing fast.
posted by:
Carla Hamilton (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (1:06 am)
It is good to know you love your daughter enough to climb a mountain with her! : ) I think that's a great thing to do on Easter. However, the older I get the less the possibility of my ever climbing any such. Your grandbaby was precious in the photos. I'd love to meet her in person. By the way, your cuz ML is one of my dearest friends in the world!
posted by:
LeananSidhe (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (6:17 am)
What a spectacular view! Great bonding experience for you and your daughter, I'm sure...good work!
The photo's are great...Skylar is a beauty :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (12:13 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
Indeed. I am thinking about taking next year's trip as a challenge. It would be rewarding to be in such good physical condition that my daughter would not be able to keep up with me next year. Of course, the price would be great.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (12:16 pm)
Reply to: mom's heart
I perform plenty of funerals. Our church does not do decoration day. And, I don't go to decorate graves. My mom, again, does not understand. She is worried that when she dies I will not visit her grave. I tell her not to worry, since she will not be in that grave anyhow. She does worry. Says she is going to be cremated so I won't have to visit her. Boy, moms sure know how to put a guilt trip on you!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (12:18 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
3 times-a-week for the next year. Yeah, right. I do walk a mile everyday. But I also eat a twinkie everyday.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (12:23 pm)
Reply to: Carla Hamilton
So, Carla, do I know you? I did not catch on, but I was thinking that "Cuz" seemed to have some familiarity to her comments. I'll just have to give her a call...
This is our second trip up the mountain for Easter. You should Google for Stone Mountain and take a look at how beautiful the place is. It would make a fine family destination for a getaway. In addition to the mountain and the skylift, they have a large lake, nighttime lasar show, hiking, campground, boatrides, nice restaurant, etc.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (12:29 pm)
Reply to: LeananSidhe
We have several ways of "bonding". One has to do with getting her through second-year College English classes. She knows dad loves her when I stay up nights correcting her papers.
On this particular trip she told me about her boyfriend- the old one is back again. Her plans for an apartment next year. Her career plans. That was more info that I was able to pry out of her in a year, not so long ago. Well worth the effort.
posted by:
(
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (7:23 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
grand old age of __ 9
posted by:
Cuz (
reply)
post date:
04.17.06 (7:53 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Nice to get a phone call!!! How long would it have taken you to figure it out without Carla's help old man? By the way, from who/m did Skylar inherit those feet? She's perfect, Daybo. Cannot wait to hold her.
I just know you will correct my grammar and I suspect the punctuation. Spelling too. Now I'm nervous. I liked being anonymus.
CHALLENGE ISSUE Cuz to Cuz: STONE MOUNTAIN 2007
K AND U, J-B AND ME
We both need the year to get in shape. And J-B may not appreciate the volunteering. I'm certain K can talk him into it. I just don't know about sunrise. God did not create a morning person in this old person. So note that I did not say Easter. So it is official now that it is on here. I need something to help me get in shape. Beating you at something gives me a charge. : )
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
04.18.06 (5:19 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I love a good challenge, myself! I've got to come up with a exercise plan too. Just because summer roles in, doesn't mean that I get an exercise break!
posted by:
Carla Hamilton (
reply)
post date:
04.18.06 (12:02 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
No, you don't really know me, but I feel like I know you since your cuz talks about you. Maybe my hubby and I can go to Stone Mountain one day soon. That sounds like a nice place to visit. Thanks for the info.
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
04.19.06 (6:05 am)
Great pictures Dave, sounds fun!
posted by:
fairmoon (
reply)
post date:
04.19.06 (9:15 am)
That last pic is my favorite. it looks a lot like a pic i have somewhere of my Dad holding my son at that age. You look a lot like my dad. I'm glad that easter was such a happy time for you!
give that cute baby a kiss for me.
FM
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
04.19.06 (3:09 pm)
Now that sounds like a great Easter! Especially that last picture. Looks like the Easter Bunny was very good to you, this year. :)
And I must say... you are a much braver man that I. For, I'm afraid that mountain would have defeated me in the most major way.
posted by:
Cuz (
reply)
post date:
04.19.06 (4:44 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I've noticed Dave has posted on other blogs the last couple of days but has IGNORED this one. Guess my challenge scared him. I don't think he ever did like to be shown up by a girl. At least he'll know I cannot pick the mountain up and throw it at him like a checkerboard. I like a good challenge too, but I hate exercising. Think a good walking program will do the trick? Or should I find a rock cliff to practice climbing?
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
04.19.06 (5:57 pm)
Reply to: Cuz
I would suggest starting slow; find out what your current physical limits are and shoot for just under that 3-5 times a week. If a brisk walk challenges you, then do that; if it takes a dead sprint for 2 miles to challenge you, do that. Then just build from there. Make sure you do some up hill work too. Of course you don't want to have a fit lower half and a flabby upper half. (I've seen that before and it just isn't pretty.) So if you wanna go ALL the way, then I would get a gym membership. (*ooooo...ahhhh* the gym) If you do go that way, shop around for a price and environment you like, and the closer to your house the better. (The more you see the building, the more you'll be guilted into going. That works, promise.)
Ok, that's my exercise spill. :-D
posted by:
chrisflea (
reply)
post date:
04.19.06 (10:29 pm)
It looked like your Easter was great and full of love.
Just letting you know that I posted again.
posted by:
Cuz (
reply)
post date:
04.20.06 (4:22 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
Your advice is right on the mark. I thank you. The tip about picking a gym closeby makes very good sense. I appreciated your exercise spill and will certainly try to my best ability to follow through. I'd been wondering if a gym would be a good idea. There aren't many in this area and I know little to nothing about them. That CURVES place has a shop, but I don't know if that really rates being a gym. There is a great one about 20 miles away and I have given it serious thought, though it is not closest to me. I'll have to do some serious comparisons on the three choices available to me. Guess that's one of the downsides of a small town.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
04.20.06 (5:58 pm)
Reply to: Cuz
If none of the gyms seem like your style, you'd be amazed at what you could do at home with a pair each of 5, 10, 15 lb. dumbells, an elastic band/tube or two and a book listing some basic moves.
posted by:
(
reply)
post date:
04.20.06 (8:37 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
Again I thank you. I will go ahead and research the gyms. Then if it seems too distant or unattainable I will get the home basics like you advise. I do have a very handy area only 1/2 mile away where I can get some miles in walking. Nicely paved and pleasant scenery. I used to walk a couple miles a day, but got out of the habit. Simply got lazy, well and I worked 3rd shift. By the way you have a really nice blog site of your own and your taste in music is great. I'm not really into the "southern gospel" music common in my area. Never have been. Though I've had to listen to it most of my life. Cuz'n Dave and I probably do differ in a few areas. I attend a more contemporary church service these days and find it very much to my liking. You seem very wise for your age and very grounded in your faith. I hope it will always be so for you. Blessings and gratitude.
Cuz
