A Fine And Busy Easter 2007
At 5:00 a.m. K and I pulled from the driveway headed for our traditional climb of Stone Mountain for Easter Sunrise Services. This morning we were promised to be greeted with 17 degrees and icy winds, and the forecast proved to be true. We were joined by a couple of hearty/crazy friends. For the first time, the climb seemed rather easy, which made me feel good about the personal conditioning of the last 3 months. The crowd at the top was sparse compared to previous years. And such is an encouragement about the continued preservation of the human species; most people seem to have better sense than myself. The service was inspiring, and gratefully brief.
And the view was spectacular. Here is a photo of the sun beginning to rise on Easter Sunday.
The church was packed for Sunday services which is an affirmation of what is, to me, the most important date of the Christian calendar.
Here's a pretty young lady, in her new Easter dress, standing with her mom. The family is originally from Quebec. We have had fun becoming good friends and enjoying the differences of our cultures.
Here's a glowing mother-to-be, excited not only about the worship but also the days ahead. She and her husband moved to the other side of the county, a long drive away, but I am pleased they have continued to come to our church. They are going to be great parents, and I cannot wait for the dedication service for the new little one.
After church, our family gathered for a great meal. Debbie really outdid herself with the cooking and I with the eating. And I took Skylar out back for an Easter Egg Hunt. 
They were telling me she was too little, but this was for my pleasure even more than hers. I think she looks fine in her Easter outfit. But she does not want to give back the eggs.
Later in the afternoon we went for family portraits. Last year, for family pictures, my face was sunburned from cutting the grass the day before. This year is was windburned from the crazy jouney up a mountain in freezing weather. Nevertheless, portraits were made, and I'll share a few.
Here's the gang, and the first family portrait with our newest addition.
A mug I'll soon be marketing.
Krystal. She's the hearty soul who motivates me to climb mountains. She will graduate from college next year.
Heres my son, B. Fine young man. He likes to laugh at my pictures, but thinks his is great. I'll not argue at his insight concerning either.
The day ended with a cookout at the home of some friends. They are quite gracious, and a good time was had by all. I played ball with the little boys. And, slept soundly last night.
I do enjoy Easter!
04.09.07 (12:34 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
doeeyed (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (9:55 am)
What a lovely family and from the sound of your entry, what a lovely holiday you shared with friends and family. Good for you! We enjoy a beautiful Easter as well.
Blessings..Doe
posted by:
doeeyed (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (9:56 am)
I did it again...hit post comment before proof reading.
ENJOYED, We enjoyed a beautiful Easter! ARGH!
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (10:02 am)
Aaaaw, I love seeing family photos!! And that was a gorgeous sunrise!
posted by:
Barbara (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (11:37 am)
how much for one of the mugs? I'd like to order a dozen. Did you know you look more and more like your bro every day? Poor thing. And I wish one of my off-spring would drag me to the top of Stone Mtn. to see the sunrise like yours did. Nice family portrait!
posted by:
weasy (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (12:21 pm)
Sounds like the perfect day Pastor Dave, you are a man truly blessed. Happy Easter, peace be with you.
-weas
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (2:03 pm)
Great post. Loverly pics. I'll pay up to ten bucks for a mug.
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (4:33 pm)
Wow... what a great looking group you have, there. If I were you, I would be very proud. And looking at your posts, I would say that that is a very fitting description. :)
Glad your Easter was a good (if not chilly) one.
This Easter was especially good, this year. Our children are finally old enough to understand the reason for the holiday. We spent a good deal of time (close to an hour) explaining the holiday to them. Happily, their interest seemed to hold. Then... they feasted on candy and sugar-coated sugar filled with sugar.
posted by:
sebastianjoshua (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (6:54 pm)
a very nice family indeed...
have a nice holiday :-)
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (10:56 pm)
Lovely post, nice looking family ~ ((hugs))!
posted by:
Cuz (
reply)
post date:
04.10.07 (2:09 pm)
Put me down for a mug! I'd take a hard copy or two of some family shots too!
Glad you guys made your climb. Beautiful sunrise.
J-B said he wished he'd had that day off so he could have climbed with you guys. You're much better at that than me,it was too cold for my blood. I have put a reminder on my calendar to "hopefully" give it a try next year; if there are forecasts of warm temperatures. What I missed most, was the opportunity to visit with that terrific family of yours...give them our love!
posted by:
hangman (
reply)
post date:
04.11.07 (3:14 pm)
Great photos, I hope you and your family had a very happy Easter.
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
04.12.07 (10:12 pm)
Great post PD, congratulations on the climb up stone mountain. Beautiful family pictures.
posted by:
lisa (
reply)
post date:
04.13.07 (6:32 am)
sounds like the perfect day. mine was quite similar, except i spent it with my "other family" (in-laws)
love the pictures!!
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
04.14.07 (11:26 am)
Wonderful post and pics!
Thank you for pointing out that an overflow crowd on Easter Sunday is proof that this IS the most important date of the Christian calendar. Many lose sight of that fact, including me :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (6:49 am)
Reply to: doeeyed
Alright, let's get "spiritually technical" about this matter. Easter, for those of us of the Christian faith, is a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. In reality, we celebrate this matter every Sunday, and even every time we gather to worship. So, you are right, whatever tense you choose to use!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (6:51 am)
Reply to: rosietulips
I love the colors of a particularly nice sunrise or sunset. On the rare occasion when I pull out the canvas and try to paint, I like to work on sunsets. I would do sunrises, but who wants to get up that early to paint?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (6:53 am)
Reply to: Barbara
So, it sounds to me like you are saying you would be amenable to climbing Stone Mountain next Easter? I'll be talking with your kids, and they will be getting back to you about this matter.
Time. I'm coming to think it is my best gift to someone I love.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (6:54 am)
Reply to: weasy
Thank you, my friend. No doubt you are equally blessed. Now, go climb a mountain.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:32 am)
Reply to: surrogate
I thank you for your contribution to the PastorDave Retirement Fund. The plans are to move to Michigan, to set up a mobile home next door to surrogate. We'll have hound dogs, lots of kids, and of course church services on Sundays at 11. And, this mug is the key to fulfilling these dreams.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:35 am)
Reply to: ruined
Good for you and your family. There are so many extraneous trappings to Easter, and most are good things. Easter outfits, egg hunts, the Easter bunny. But I appreciate that you want your family to recognize a deeper meaning.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:37 am)
Reply to: sebastianjoshua
Thank you! Today is another holiday here is America. Little recognized and often overlooked, it is Emancipation Day, and day to recognize the historical event of emancipation from slavery.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:38 am)
Reply to: auntconi
Thanks. You are kind. I am blessed with a great family.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:40 am)
Reply to: Cuz
Well, I guess you have plenty of mountains to climb that are much closer to home. But, yes it would be nice to make plans for next year. It looks like Stone Mtn will be a tradition with my daughter for the forseeable future- unless, and I shudder to consider, some guy comes along and steals away my time from her.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:41 am)
Reply to: hangman
A great Easter! And I send the same good wishes your way.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:43 am)
Reply to: LadyG
Thanks. I imagine the flower business was booming for Easter week. Our church was well decorated with Easter lilies. I found them a bit less expensive this year, for some reason, and then I discovered the flowers I secured came from Chile! Maybe I should make a more concerted effort to buy flowers that are grown locally, if such can be found.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:44 am)
Reply to: lisa
A perfect day with your in-laws? Could there possibly be such a thing. Oh, yes, I spent a perfect day with my in-laws. They were 500 miles away, and that was perfect!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:47 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
I'm pretty sure that Methodists honor Easter with a similar attendance at church. Some disparage such once-a-year church attenders. I try to make them feel welcome and affirmed, hoping they'll find a liking to the experience and come more often.
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (8:55 am)
Reply to: PastorDave,
PD business was booming for Easter, a little more then usual. The lilies grow very well in Chili. Most of our flowers are imported from South America.
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
04.16.07 (11:23 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
We barely had 60 people in the congregation this Sunday, we had nearly double that just a week ago. I'd hoped that the ones that came back for the special service would have had their hearts softened and been back, but I'll keep on hoping and praying :)
posted by:
Nicholas (
reply)
post date:
05.21.07 (4:37 pm)
Good job! Your site is great!
posted by:
Robin (
reply)
post date:
05.31.07 (11:47 pm)
Wow, you have a lovely family.
What a great picture at the top of stone mountain. It's a family favorite with us, we love to go there, try to make it up at least every couple of years as Atlanta is on the way to plenty of places. Love the light show too, and the train, plantation, paddle boats, etc. Right now, on top of my TV we have a pic in a holder that says "I CLIMBED STONE MOUNTAIN", so I literally think about it every day, and smile. That last bit at the top with the almost vertical angle and the metal handrails can get you! It does encourage one to get in better shape.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.01.07 (4:49 am)
Reply to: Robin
Come on over, we will be climbing again next Easter Sunday morning.
