On April 5 our good friend, Jim Dutton, launched into orbit in Discovery STS-131. We were the recipients of VIP passes to watch the launch. We traveled to Florida to be there.
While in Florida we celebrated Faith's (April 5)and Steven's birthday (March 29) at a picnic on Patrick Air Force Base with Jim's family and others from the test pilot world of Edwards Air Force Base, home of Air Force flight test.
On Easter Sunday we went to a sunrise service on the beach. Jesus Christ has risen indeed!
Later that morning we attended a special mission briefing at the Kennedy Space Center with our friends the Marcolescos. We also viewed an IMAX film on the Hubble Space telescope (highly recommended!).
The IMAX was in 3-D!!!
Then the biggest moment came! At 1am on Monday morning we packed up all of our children and headed to the launch. 5....4....3....2....1....BlastOff!
It was a spectacular display of power (but only a fraction of the power we'll experience on the Day of the Lord...it was awesome to ponder). What a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
That afternoon we attended a reception for Jim's friends and family at a planetarium where we viewed a video Jim had made recounting his journey. His closing line was, "All of this points to a greater reality: God wants us to know Him and have a relationship with Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ." 
Thank you, Duttons, for allowing us to share in your dream and joy!
2 comments:
How unbelievably once in a lifetime cool. So awesome.
Hi Brandt Family!
This is my hometown :) How wonderful that you were able to be there for Jim and his family. You are all a blessing to whom ever you meet.
Love
The Harners
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