One of My Best Days

The reunion of folks from the student ministries of the First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee (circa 1994-2000) took place yesterday, and in the words of our old friend Geoff Moore it was "one of my best days." The event actually began for me this past Wednesday with the arrival of my dear friend and "whatever," Teresa Reep (for the purposes of this post, I am going maiden names only!). It continued through brunch on Friday with Jennifer (Bob) Minnigan. And then yesterday we headed for K-town in hopes of seeing a few of the old gang. The event began with a "bring you own lunch" picnic at the Kissimmee lakefront, and almost immediately the surprises and excitement began. Cathy Thacker was there with her granddaughter (and Ben's daughter) Opal. Jill Souther showed up with her family, including her parents. The same was true for Lauren Carr. When Jocelyn Sessions and family made a totally unexpected appearance all the way from Alabama, we knew something big was brewing! I found myself sitting and talking to Hamp Sessions, getting hugs from Jill Franklin, meeting Matthew Teoli's family (his parents also joined us) and getting reacquainted with the Connor Lewis clan. Dr. Jill and Brian Watson were there with the boys, along with Lisa Kraus and her girls. Kelly Jeck and hubby Keith were there, and Jim & Karen Fry as well. Jerry & Melissa Hanbery and family showed up and the party really kicked up a notch! Kay Hill stopped by with her granddaughter Lucy, and Cynthia Landon made a surprise visit. And I am sure I am forgetting someone. Including myself, Marilyn, Will and Teresa, over 55 people were around, many staying until mid-afternoon. It was more than we had prayed for when we began planning last summer.

Dinner at the Broadway Pizza Bar brought new excitement and another round of surprises. In addition to a number of folks who had been at the picnic, new (and yet old!) faces soon flooded the room! Courtney Moon (with her friend John), Julia Pribyl and Matt Rogers joined us, as did Nate Kern and Bobby Young (with dates). Carol Kraus and Caitlin Esry were there. Cindy & Gill Martin, Michael & Becky McCleery and Mark & Beth McKenna were there helping to represent the old group of Youth Counselors who were such a huge part of those years. Current FUMC-K youth pastor Dwight Oakes stopped in to say hello. Nate Hill joined the party a little later. We had great food and unbelievable fellowship, fueled in part by a photo album I brought full of hundreds of pictures from those glory days. It was quite a night.

Even in the midst of all the folks who were there, I couldn't help but miss a lot of people as well. Both Colleen Martin and Karen Hall had planned to be with us but family emergencies kept them away. Meagan Hill and Stephanie Potter also ran into conflicts and were missed. Old friends like Jacob Lupfer, Ben Thompson, Brook Teoli, Cyndi Reep, Todd Willis and others had expressed a desire to be with us but were unable to make the trip. We talked about people like Chrissy and Tommy Weaver, whom we have all lost track of over the years. We missed Amber Herrick, Matt & Dana Schmidt, Darin Miller, Erin Bay, Josh Fry, Sarah Crudele, Andrew Rogers, Adam Hill and so many others. And my thoughts turned to those who could not be with us- Karen Biddle, Sally Hollingsed and Chico Fry- all of whom have passed away since those days. Even in the midst of such a wonderful family reunion, there were family members whom we missed and longed to see again.

Even as I write this morning, we are not quite finished yet. A group will gather to worship together at the 9:40 service at FUMC-K, where the music will feature some of our favorite youth group songs from the 90's. And then we will finish the reunion weekend with lunch at the Kissimmee institution, Fat Boys. Worship is a fitting way for all of this to end, because it was Jesus who brought this group together; Jesus who carried us through so many trials and tribulations; and Jesus who bonds us together today. I cannot express the blessings of yesterday to my life- words are totally inadequate. I can only say that it was indeed "one of my best days..."

Because of Jesus,