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We Are Family
Posted by Brian
on
8:55 PM
My Easter Sunday experiences have run the gamut, from quiet sunrise services to full-blown orchestrated mutimedia events. Today leaned toward the former, and it was just what I needed.
My Uncle and Aunt direct Camp Sonrise, a primitive Baptist retreat center just south of Ocala. We had a family reunion there seven years ago, and just a few weeks later we learned that my Uncle had cancer. The last seven years have been painful ones for him and his family, but they have inspired us with their faith and fortitude. They actually started a bible study that turned into a church, and we met together this morning at seven for a sunrise service. My Uncle Steve, with great effort, made it to the service, and we all enjoyed breakfast together, and then lunch a little later. And then dinner a little later. So other than the obvious celebration of Jesus' resurrection, the day was pretty much about food. Vast quantities of exceptional quality.
But the most memorable part of the day for me has been reconnecting with family. As I said, it's been seven years since I've seen most of them. A few of my cousins, who seemed like children then, have children of their own. And the babes who were in arms are now running around like kids do. Uncle Steve's kids, especially Steve Jr., led the service and set the chapel up for breakfast this morning. I felt the overwhelming conviction that we definitely need to get our girls home sooner rather than later. I don't want them to feel as disconnected to their cousins as I have felt from mine. I don't want them to regret not being a part of their extended family, as I do. Today was great, but it's been bittersweet.
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My Uncle and Aunt direct Camp Sonrise, a primitive Baptist retreat center just south of Ocala. We had a family reunion there seven years ago, and just a few weeks later we learned that my Uncle had cancer. The last seven years have been painful ones for him and his family, but they have inspired us with their faith and fortitude. They actually started a bible study that turned into a church, and we met together this morning at seven for a sunrise service. My Uncle Steve, with great effort, made it to the service, and we all enjoyed breakfast together, and then lunch a little later. And then dinner a little later. So other than the obvious celebration of Jesus' resurrection, the day was pretty much about food. Vast quantities of exceptional quality.
But the most memorable part of the day for me has been reconnecting with family. As I said, it's been seven years since I've seen most of them. A few of my cousins, who seemed like children then, have children of their own. And the babes who were in arms are now running around like kids do. Uncle Steve's kids, especially Steve Jr., led the service and set the chapel up for breakfast this morning. I felt the overwhelming conviction that we definitely need to get our girls home sooner rather than later. I don't want them to feel as disconnected to their cousins as I have felt from mine. I don't want them to regret not being a part of their extended family, as I do. Today was great, but it's been bittersweet.
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