peanuts, buttons, & crumpets besides,
we came to Plains in order
to hear Jimmy Carter's
Sunday School lesson.
this required us to put on fancy clothes
in what felt like the middle of the night.
and greet the Easter sunrise
with about 200 other
early-risers.
 |
| the teenage
secret service.
|
 |
| a unique congregant |
the Maranatha Baptist Church members
held their sunrise service at nearby Plains Baptist Church,
then arrived (to the throngs)
for a breakfast
before Sunday School.
 |
| President Carter arrives! |
we had all been observing
the advance detail of Secret Service agents,
who went through their duties
(including a dog sniffing each car)
prior to the Carters' arrival.
~
a small procession of cars arrived,
presumably from the sunrise service,
and two of the cars seemed
Presidential.
we were correct!
~
we all watched carefully
as they made their way up the walk
and into the church
in their snazzy matching jackets.
finally
we were told we could
get in line!
we had to empty pockets & purses
and demonstrate that cameras
were actually cameras.
& they waved magic wands all over us,
just to be sure.
we happened to sit
just behind a reserved seat
for the agent who appeared to be assigned
primarily to Mrs. Carter.
we were only permitted
to take photographs
at the very start,
when President Carter spent time
finding out where everyone was from.
i tried to take full advantage
of the opportunity!
his message focused on love, peace, and forgiveness.
at the end of the church service,
each family was allowed
ONE PHOTO
(don't blink, don't breathe, don't move)
with the Carters.
while the boys look like movie stars,
we parents seem slightly stunned.
an exceptional time
with exceptional people
