Over in the Sandy Spot, it’s already Resurrection Sunday. And since I have, you know, connections, mm-hmm, with that Spot, I have a picture from their sunrise service.

I’m thinking the guys with the scary guns must be part of their Easter service drama team–they’re playing the Roman soldiers.

Joking, joking.

They’re just some Army guys who’ve got my Hero’s back. So I like ‘em. A whole lot more than I like the Roman soldiers when I read the last few chapters of the Gospels. These are the good guys. (Although I really don’t have the brain power at the moment to decide whether the Roman soldiers were “bad” or if they were just following God’s plan for the crucifixion… way too deep for me tonight!)

John just called home, between the sunrise service and the regular service, and to tell me goodnight. (It is unbelievably wonderful–he works right next to a phone, and can call at least once a day, sometimes twice. We are spoiled compared to many, but, hey, we’ll take it!)

He also told me to check my computer for an email with pictures from their service. I got to see the faces of some of the friends he’s making and the people in the music ministry there. (Because yes, they have a music ministry at the chapels in the Sandy Spot. And you’d better believe that, first of all, if there is a church, John will be there the first service he’s able to attend. And second of all (secondly? which is it? is either one correct??), if there is a music ministry, he’ll be as involved as they’ll let him be. So he is–both at every service and Bible study he can be, and involved in the music.) He told me who all the people were in the pictures and how he knows them and what they do. I feel a little more in the loop now.

And ya know what’s niftay? When I asked him if he minded me putting this picture out here for the blogosphere, he said that was fine, and to tell the bloggie peeps hello from him in the Sandy Spot.

Okay, well, he didn’t say to tell the bloggie peeps hello. What he actually said was, “And you can tell your blog people I said hi.”

So, hi. From John.

But I must tell you… you know what is really freaking me out right now? The thought of how close (relatively, of course) John is to the actual place where Jesus lived, died and rose. I mean, when he talks about places near him, I’m like, “Hey!! I know that place! I read about it! Lots of times! In my Bible! Is it the exact same one???” To which he always replies, oh-so-patiently, “Yes, it is. There is only one of that particular river in the world, remember?”

Oh yeah. That would make sense.

But he is so. close. A hop, skip and a jump. At least, a whole lot smaller a hop, quicker a skip and shorter a jump than what I’d have to do to get there.

And somehow, between that relative closeness, the crystal clear blue sky, the wide open stretches, the Roman soldiers–er, uh, Army guys, sorry–and the simplicity of a small group of Christians gathered together in the desert to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, I imagine that in a hushed moment, it might give a sense of reality I can’t quite find here in the midst of big discount stores filled with spring break tourists sporting fake tans, parents pushing each other around to grab the last big candy egg, kids crying for more goodies and even dozens of churches with great big programs.

I almost wish I was there.

Wishing you a simple and quiet Resurrection Sunday, filled to the brim with special time with family and a true remembrance of our Jesus, who gave all and then conquered death so that we–we who even still often forget Him in the midst of celebrating His gift–might have life. He is so good. Let’s get lost in the wonder of looking at Him tomorrow.