Saturday Shouts Outs- Old Friends Edition!

A week ago today I was waking up after a raucous night of food and fun at Ocean Isle Beach with many of my favorite people in the world, friends dating back to our childhoods- which you may know in my case was not a recent event! There had been a meal of Mexican Pile-Up, great desserts and a few adult beverages. A tense, hilarious males vs. females game of Catchphrase had completed the night, scarring some of us for life. That night was made special by the presence of our dear friend Lisa Moran, who had come down for just the one night. The entire 5 days the group spent together were a riot of laughter and love. Today, I want to share with you some of the moments that are still making me smile. It's a special reunion edition of my Saturday Shout Outs!

• After a bit of prodding from my old pal Martha Ratledge Farlow, we broke into the Fig Newton Song (and dance) in the parking lot of a restaurant on Saturday night. Don't know the song? See it here ---->  Hit it Hal!!!  
• During the Catchphrase game, my lovely wife Marilyn got the phrase "Pull it off." To demonstrate, she began pulling on her top. As time ticked down and she became more desperate, she pulled harder. We all became concerned that she was about to strip, but fortunately it never reached that point. Although Steve Semmler was a little disappointed.
• Carl Semmler brought a pound cake he made from his mother's classic recipe. Instead of keeping it with the desserts, it was kept with the breakfast foods, and many of us cut slices for our morning meal. Since eating cake for breakfast is frowned upon, the slices were referred to as Square Doughnuts. I miss them terribly...
• Ever feel like telling someone they are full of crap? Chuck Foster gave us a much more subtle line to use- "You are a landfill of useless information." Too good.
• We ate at Calabash on Thursday night, shutting down Captain John's. Literally. They turned off the lights as soon as we were out the door. Many, many hushpuppies gave their lives that night...
• While trying to get the other women to guess the word "burp" while playing Catchphrase, Beth Vestal McGalliard became so animated that she fell off the stool she was sitting on...backwards. Fifteen minutes later, after the howls of laughter ceased, Rob Mitchell finally asked if she was OK. She was. So we laughed some more!
• Tammy Foster really wanted us to play guitars and sing. So much so that after we failed to do so by Saturday afternoon she got the guitars out herself and handed them to us. We still tried really hard to not do anything, but Tammy was relentless. Finally Chuck and I played a few things, singing Wild Thing to Beth and a few of my old silly songs. It was fun. And Tammy is scary! And maybe a little mean...#NoFilter  :)
• Each time we traveled during the week those of us in Condo 103 all rode in Tim & Allison Vail's van. The 6 of us were a team, united in our efforts when grocery shopping and other efforts. Condo 101 always took separate vehicles. So clearly we were the better condo. That just needed to be said.
• Lisa Ramos Moran played Catchphrase right along with us, and at one point she was giving clues for the phrase "soul mate." She said it was 2 words you might use as term of endearment for your partner, and Denise May Langley blurted out this guess- Spousal Unit.  Truth is stranger than fiction.
• Carl S. was trying to get the guys to guess the song title "Jailhouse Rock" and gave the clues an Elvis song about prison. Martha, who was supposed to be quiet since she was on the other team, guessed Love Me Tender. That's just wrong on so many levels...
• Several people brought photo albums full of fun (if a bit horrifying) pictures from our younger days together. As Andy Maynard remarked on Saturday night, this group has known each other a VERY long time. And as much as we have all changed, our relationships are still pretty much the same. So much fun to be with that group, even if it did take us 5 days instead of 5 minutes to polish off a bag of Sweet 16 Powdered Sugar Doughnuts. Age has its price.  :)
• And finally (or this could go on for hours)...during the game Friday night I was sitting on a sofa with Denise and Steve. Something happened and I reached out to give an "air" high five to Martha across the room. At that instant, the couch collapsed under us, leaving us startled and the rest of the room rolling on the floor laughing. We were troopers however, continuing to sit there for the rest of the game. Of course, I took  most of the blame, being the largest and also having moved slightly just before the event. Denise was clearly an innocent victim, having been brave enough to sit with us in the first place. But after discussion with the sofa owners, Beth & Bob McGalliard, we discovered they had been expecting it to happen (So the lawsuit is pending. WHIPLASH!). We also agreed it was Steve's fault. It's always the pretty ones!

I hope this gives you a little taste of what it was like for me to hang out with people who have been special to me for 43 years now. I miss them already, and look forward to doing it again next year. And in case you are wondering, 2 updates- the game ended in a tie and the couch was saved and is still in use. Have a great weekend!

"Enjoy every sandwich."

Here's To Good Friends...

Happy birthday, Beth! We love you SOOO much!!!

In 1972 I was in the 8th grade. This was before personal computers but after the Apollo 11 moon landing and the world was very different place. That year, a singular event changed the trajectory of my life in a bigger way than anything that happened to me before...or since. There have been more important events to be sure, such as getting married and seeing my son born. But nothing had more of an impact on who I am at age 55 than that one fateful day in 1972. And what happened, you ask? I went roller skating...

My friend Steve Semmler had been inviting me to join him for youth group at New Garden Friends Meeting for a while, but rollerskating sounded fun and Becky Meredith was going to be there- so I was IN! That invitation and that event led me becoming involved with a group of people who carried and guided each other through high school and the years that followed. These were quite literally the people who "showed me the way" in life, in faith and in love. As we grew older the group expanded and changed, with friends of friends becoming so intertwined in our "gang" that it felt as if they had always been there. We continued to meet together, eat together and even take trips together until the early 1990s, by which time so many of my friends had children that it became a little complicated to plan such things. We have remained in touch over the years- some more that others- but time and distance did seem to separate us. Living in Florida while most live in NC, and with all that has happened in my life over the past 20+ years, the distance often felt real to me. And then 2015 happened.

Steve called me from his home in Ohio with a proposition. He, his brother Carl, myself and our spouses would rent a 3 bedroom condo at Ocean Isle Beach, NC- not far from where our friends Beth and Bob owned one. We would then put the word out to the rest of our old youth group and other friends that were going and invite them to join us. Steve booked 2 condos instead of one, and we were off and running. We set September 9-13 as the dates. I built a Facebook page to get the word out. Our former youth leader, Rob, stepped in and offered to offset the cost for everyone. And before we knew it, some 43 years after our first adventure together, about 15 of us were getting ready to do it again. The excitement was palpable. 

But that wasn't the only emotion at work in us. One of our own, the sweet, energetic, feisty and lovely Lisa Ramos Moran, is battling pancreatic cancer. We weren't sure if she would survive until September, much less be able to join us, and some of the air came out of the balloon. There were many texts and phone calls, many prayers and many tears as we worried about Lisa and her family. By late August most of us assumed she wouldn't be able to make the trip as she was confined to a hospital. But our old gang remained united in hope.

One week ago today we took that trip. Very seldom in life can an event with such high expectations actually surpass them, but this one did. We still love each other. We still make each other laugh hysterically. We still enjoy just BEING together. Being at the beach always makes life a bit more special, and the fact that Lisa and her hubby Dan were able to join us for Friday night made it a blessing beyond words. All-in-all, there were 21 of us who were a part of the adventure. The people in the picture at the top were all part of a youth group (along with others who were missing) at a small Quaker church over 40 years ago, and they are still a huge part of each other's lives. That is rare, and it is significant. 

In many ways it is amazing that we stay in touch and all took the time needed to pull off something like this. What is even more amazing is how much we still sincerely love each other. The last night there was lengthy discussion about how often we should try to do a "reunion," with some saying every 5 years, others saying 3 and others every other year. Tammy cut to the chase. She said we need to do it every year, and I backed her up. When others asked why, we simply pointed to our friend Lisa. We are not promised tomorrow, much less 5 years. No one argued. And now, this morning, word reaches us that Lisa has taken a turn for the worse. We may see each other soon under very different circumstances. But as always, the love we share will sustain us.

Life has been tough lately. But more than ever I understand the words of the late Warren Zevon when David Letterman asked what he had learned about life while knowing he was dying- "Enjoy every sandwich." Prayers please, for Lisa, Dan and their family. And for all of us.

Because of Jesus,

Even Better Than Before: Calabash

Captain John's Deluxe Seafood Platter 

This morning, as Marilyn and I are driving to Ocean Isle, NC, I ask for continued prayers for our friend Lisa, whom we will miss tremendously while we are away! We're headed to a reunion with some of my very best and oldest friends. In the book I wrote earlier this year, Even Better Than Before, many of these friends were "parts" of the various characters (as was Lisa), and a reunion was the main plot of the story. So it seems appropriate to share another excerpt today. Especially this one, as I hope to see this meal play out in some form or fashion over the next few days. Enjoy!

It was just before 6 pm and the crowd was gathering on the first floor and preparing to leave for Calabash. Craig was hurrying people along. He was worried with a party their size that getting a table together was going to be tough on a Saturday night. And getting a table together was imperative. This was a family and they needed to sit together. Craig was a big believer in family. He was going to call ahead and at least let a restaurant know they were coming. “Captain John’s ok with everyone?” he shouted over the crowd noise, acting as if they had a choice in the matter. It was always Captain John’s. “I’m gonna’ call now.” Alicia grabbed Craig by the arm. “Relax. I already let them know we are coming. I told them a party of 20 just so we’d have extra room. And I told them to put tables together for us.” Craig gave her a big hug and a warm smile. “I tell ya what- get you away from the old ball and chain and you’re still a go-getter, Alicia Stanton.” Alicia lit up at hearing him use her maiden name. It took her back to when life seemed simpler. Craig started herding his friends out the door and into the vehicles, and 30 or so minutes later they arrived at Calabash and began to file in to one of their favorite places, Captain John’s Seafood House. Brent was positively ecstatic. There was a deluxe seafood platter and a basket of hushpuppies inside with his name all over them. Alicia went to the seating hostess and informed her that the party of 20 had arrived, and was told their table was waiting. The hostess walked them to a back room, opened a closed door, and there was the table. And something else that absolutely no one besides Alicia could have expected.

Standing to the right of the table, looking spiffy in a green sleeveless top and white shorts, was Kristen Hurley Fleener. Kristen had been a part of the original youth group that had given birth to this motley crew. It was Kristen that invited Keri and Alicia to come with her to church. She was the one who attracted Brent to a roller skating party because he had a crush on her. Throughout middle school and high school she was a part of the core. She and Craig had dated. She, Allyson, Keri and Alicia had been inseparable. Then she broke up with Craig, pulled away from everyone, went to college and got married at the end of her freshman year. Few of them had seen her since. But now…there she was. Stunned was too mild a word to describe the reaction. Flabbergasted might come close. “Surprise” she said meekly and smiled at the dumbfounded group. It was really more of a question than an exclamation. Alicia stepped forward and gave her a hug, then turned to explain her presence. “I had been begging Kristen to come this weekend for months and she kept saying no. Then last week I really poured on the guilt, telling her that everyone was coming and that she needed to be here too. I called her again as I drove down yesterday she finally caved. She couldn’t get to the house in time so we worked this out. I thought this weekend could use a little more mystery!” Everyone laughed and the greetings and introductions began in earnest. Soon they had all grabbed seats at the giant table and were getting serious about ordering food. Keri and Cassandra set across from one another, and Billy and Brent quickly joined them. Food and beverages were ordered and hushpuppies were delivered. As he popped a butter-covered puppy in his mouth, Brent cut lose with a nearly orgasmic moan, followed by “man that is good!” Those around him laughed, and Cassandra called for a hand check to make sure it was the hushpuppies that had him so excited. Both he and Keri blushed. The other end of the table was quieter and a bit tense. People were asking Kristen basic questions about life because quite frankly none of them knew much about her anymore. Craig looked very uncomfortable. Nancy seemed uncertain of what to say. And Allyson was not happy at all. Her last conversation with Kristen had been a shouting match almost 25 years previous, and she did not appear ready to kiss and make up. Fortunately, the presence of food solves many problems, and as the waitresses delivered the various platters of seafood the conversation all around the table died down. Brent, however, just kept right on chattering. He was giving a play-by-play to everyone as to what was on his deluxe platter and how wonderful it was. He was harassing Craig for only getting a large platter, saying “real men eat deviled crab” and calling him a wuss. He was trying to get Keri, who had ordered a small fried shrimp platter, to try one of everything on his plate. He was especially pushing the oysters, which he pointed out were well known aphrodisiacs. Keri gave him a sharp elbow in the ribcage and Cassie reminded him that it was raw oysters that supposedly had that effect on the hormones. Billy arose from his seat, banged his fork on the table to get everyone’s attention, and then asked “Did anyone order raw oysters? If so please pass them down. We need them---STAT!” There was uproarious laughter which got even louder when Sharon responded, “Billy we all know you’ve never needed any assistance with getting horny!” Meanwhile, Alicia, Dan and Stephanie were attempting to explain to Kristen who these people were. She barely knew Billy and Jeff and many of the others she had never met at all. And while Nina had come into the weekend knowing almost no one and had felt accepted and included right away, Kristen was feeling a bit of a cold wind. To the core of this group she had not just been their friend, she had been part of their family. That church youth group all those years before had been the single most important thing in their lives, and they would have done (and did!) pretty much anything for each other. That feeling of unconditional love had continued on into adulthood for most of them. But Kristen had left them. Once she met Brad, she was gone. Allyson, whom she had known since they were in diapers, was cut out of her wedding party. Brent and Keri never got invitations to the wedding…but Brent went anyway. She had made it clear through her actions and lack of communication that she no longer needed them in her life and over the years they had all accepted that. Now she was in Calabash, sitting at the “family” table. It was hard to pretend nothing had happened, that they had not been hurt and disappointed that someone so important in their lives had simply bailed on them. Brent looked down at the end of the table where Kristen was sitting and smiled. Had he not had a crush on her all those years before he might be the one not sitting at that table. He looked at Craig and thought that if Kristen hadn’t dumped his best bro he might never have moved on to Nancy. Things happen for a reason, and sometimes people have to get away from their comfort zone in order to discover who they really are. Brent himself had been this family’s prodigal son for a time and had been welcomed back with open arms. Didn’t Kristen deserve the same? As he finished his last bite of flounder he reached over and squeezed Keri’s knee. “What do you think, Grace? Should we go welcome home the prodigal daughter?” Keri gave him a look that said both “yes” and “I love you” and they got up and strolled to the other end of the room. Kristen watched them approach and said, “Hey Brent, hello Keri. How are you guys?” Brent reached down and grabbed her hand, pulled her out of her chair and said “Shut up and give me a hug!” That warm embrace was followed by a similar one with Keri, and you could feel the air around Kristen start to warm a bit. Stephanie asked her about Brad and her family and she lit up as she began to answer. She had found what she was looking for when she left them. Not everyone needs a group to sustain them.  ~ Carl Jones

Saturday Shout Outs!

Happy October, everyone, and welcome to an Autumn edition of my Saturday Shout Outs! We've got baseball playoffs, great college football, pumpkin cheesecake at Olive Garden and a little chill in the air in the evenings- even here in Florida tonight! October has always been a big month for me, with my birthday, Marilyn's birthday, my Mom's birthday and now even Will's girlfriend Michelle's birthday as well! There was also a time way back in the day when it felt like every relationship disaster that happened to myself or any of my friends took place this month. So I always approach October with a "never a dull moment" kind of attitude. So what do I have to shout about today? Read on, dear friends!

• One week from today I will have already been in NC for a few days on my solo adventure to visit friends and eat barbecue! I'm still trying to shoehorn in as many meet ups as possible, so give me a shout (813-919-3755) if you'd like to catch up. I do know for certain that next Saturday I will be doing live shout outs at the Pizza Inn in High Point with anyone who cares to join me! I'll be there around noon and will hang out a while, so stop by if you can. There are other "gatherings" in the works as well, so stay tuned for more information! Or make your own plans and just tell me when to show up!  
• You know my little "Shout Outs" avatar at the top of the page? Last week I got a text from Ashley Goad (Springfield Friends Meeting) who was in South Africa at the time saying she had just seen the little guy on something there. She said it confused her a bit, making her wonder if it was already Saturday and where the shout outs were. It's nice to know this blog can get in your heads like that! LOL She's home safely now but headed back to Haiti soon so keep her in your prayers. 
• Trey Augenblick (FUMC-Kissimmee) became a dad on October 2nd when baby Stella was born! Baby and mother Jamie are doing well, but I'm guessing Aunt Erin and Grandma Jill are chomping at the bit to get down here from Michigan and see them all! Congrats to all!
• Kena Hurt (Wesley Memorial UMC) took her daughter to Raymond James Stadium here in Tampa last night to see the boy band One Direction in concert. Kena (and every parent who does such things) not only gets votes for Mom of the Year, I am pretty sure it gives her a leg up on sainthood! Well done, Kena!
• Marilyn is headed to Orlando this afternoon to spend tonight and tomorrow with her dear friend Gaylynn Brown. Among their other adventures they will be going to a Disney Villains Party tonight at the Disney Hollywood Studios- from 10 pm - 3am! Before you go to sleep tonight you might want to offer up a prayer for my wife- it's been a few years since she tried to Rec Around the Clock! I know they will have a blast!
• Continued prayers for Cyndi Reep Browning (FUMC-K) as she looks for a new job.
• Monday, October 6th, is my birthday. I hit the old double nickel, the speed limit, el cincuenta y cinco. At this point in life I feel both a little old and a bit surprised I made it this far. But the celebrating has already begun and I don't plan to stop anytime soon!
• My World Series prediction- the Washington Nationals (that's for you, Todd Willis & Jacob Lupfer) will beat the Kansas City Royals (I love a good underdog). 7 games.
• Susan Allen (NCYM & Quaker Lake) I am counting on you to enjoy all the hoopla at Ole Miss today and to cheer your Rebels on to a victory over Darth Saban and Alabama! I know you can do it! It's time to put the Crimson Elephants in their place!
• And finally...I see that Terry & Leigh Ann Venable (QLC) and Cynthia Davis Strider (QLC & Cedar Square Friends) are about to become a grandparents. Having people I knew when they were middle school campers and I was on staff enter that realm does not help the feeling of old age that is creeping over me this weekend, but still- how AWESOME is that for them! We will continue to pray for those families.

That's all I've got for now. Have a wonderful Saturday, a blessed Sunday, and if you're in the Greensboro/High Point area be looking for me starting Wednesday night. Hurricane Carl is coming to town!

Because of Jesus,

Saturday Shouts Outs!

Summer is coming to an end, with many schools back in session and a big heatwave frying us here in Tampa. It's hard to believe September, football and autumn are lurking just around the corner- but they are. While we were disappointed we didn't get to do our Springfield Friends Reunion due to the death of Marilyn's father, we have great hopes of rescheduling that soon. And so with those happy thoughts in mind I present another edition of the Saturday Shout Outs! I'm feeling pretty random today, so look out! Let's get started...

* Many of my friends- in Florida, NC and various other places- are school teachers. We need to continue to pray for all of our teachers as they seek to give their very best to students in a world where red tape and bureaucracy far too often rule. There are way too many to list them all, but I have been thinking and praying for each of you. Have a great year, teachers, and never forget that what you do is one of the most important jobs in the world!

* Speaking of teachers we know, our dear friend Lisa Jewett (Wesley Memorial Tampa) became a grandma for the 4th time this week! That's Lisa on the right, with Marilyn. Baby Abram is doing well, as are momma Joy and daddy Ken. We also need to pray for Lisa, whose older grandkids Lilly and London head back north to their mom's this week for the school year. Lisa will miss them so much.

* I rag on Facebook a lot, and often it deserves it. For instance, the new messenger app invades your privacy in a way George Orwell would have said was preposterous while writing 1984. But it does serve a great purpose in my life. Marilyn's FB serves as a daily prayer list for me. I can read the joys, pains and concerns of so many old friends, and see what their families are up to. And then I can pray for them. Or should I say, YOU. To pray for God's people is indeed a great privilege. 

* It's not too late to make a donation and help Teresa Reep Tysinger (FUMC-Kissimmee) get her novel published! It's a great book and I know you will all want a copy, so join her Dream Team and be part of the fun! Only a couple of days left to contribute, so click here and let's do this!!!

* Another great thing about both FB and Twitter is keeping up with friends who are in ministry and seeing what amazing things they are up to. David Mercadante (Springfield Friends Meeting) was very young (that's him and his cousin Stacy around 1992) when I knew him, but he has grown into a wonderful husband & father and an outstanding pastor at Poplar Ridge Friends in NC. I love reading the stories of their ministries and his family. But I have to admit that it makes me laugh when I think that little Dave is the lead pastor for my old partner in youth ministry crimes, Tim Vestal. Life sure throws curve balls sometimes! 

* For those who have asked, my own novel is still coming along, just much more slowly than at first. I am struggling with how I want it to end, as the characters are very important to me and sometimes fiction is a great make things right. Since it takes place in the present-day Myrtle Beach area, I have some rewriting to do to get the details correct after my visit last week. But I am still writing

* While at the beach last week I got a chance to hangout with one of most special people I have ever known, Beth Vestal McGalliard from my youth group days at New Garden Friends Meeting. We had not seen each other in 7 years, but as soon as we started talking it felt like it had been 7 minutes. It was the same when I saw Tammy Doggett Foster a couple of weeks ago in Orlando, and when Steve & Carl Semmler were here in March. I say it here often, but it is true that some people leave footprints on your heart and you are never the same again. And that will never change. Now I just look forward to seeing some more of the old gang (I'm looking at you Denise, Donna, Alan, Susan, Neal & the rest!) in NC from those days, college days and my Quaker Lake days.

* Darren Rovell, the top business reporter for ESPN, tweeted this yesterday: Another record donation day for the @ALSAssociation and its chapters. $11.5 million donated YESTERDAY #IceBucketChallenge I know it may seem a little silly, but it's working and doing great things. To those of you who have participated, we salute you!!!

* Cindy Martin (FUMC-Kissimmee) has put forth a brilliant idea. In early September you can get half price seats at Broadway shows in NYC, so she is suggesting we plan a reunion for September 2015! It could be for not only Kissimmee alumni (that's them, 1995 edition), but anyone else from the old days who has the urge to do New York with me one more time. The idea has merit- and I think I may have the energy to plan one more big adventure in this beat up old body. So what do you think? Anyone interested?

I'll stop there for today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Stay cool, stay in touch, and know that our prayers are with you where ever you may be! I'd love to hear from you, so leave a comment, email Youthguy07@aol.com, or text me at 813-919-3755. Many blessings to you all, and thanks for reading!

Because of Jesus,

Saturday Shout Outs!

Where did June go? It's hard to believe the 4th of July is almost here and that it's time for another of my Saturday Shout Outs! I hope each and every one of you are having a wonderful and blessed summer so far, and that the rest of the season will hold many trips to the beach, visits to the pool and other vacation-type activities! Marilyn and I are excited about our trip to Myrtle Beach (with her family) and to NC to visit friends coming up August 9-23. Book your visit now! :) I have a few things to shout about today, so read on and enjoy!

• Marilyn and I had dinner in Orlando last night with Millie Simmons (Springfield Friends Meeting), her daughter Amy Simmons Stanley & her hubby Chip as well as their kids Georgia and Connor. Aside from eating enough Italian food to feed a small country, it was so great to catch up with some old friends whom we love dearly. Amy was such an important part of everything we were able to do in the youth ministry at SFM. and Millie was my secretary boss there. As Amy said last night, it is always amazing to sit down with friends you haven't seen in years and pick up like no time has passed at all. 
• My dear friend Teresa Reep Tysinger (FUMC-Kissimmee) will be traveling to Chicago later today for a much needed weekend with her hubby, Eric, who is there helping prepare a new musical (The Last Ship) for the Broadway stage this October. Eric has been away for over 2 months, reaffirming Teresa's status in my mind as a hero, taking care of Emma and the family home while Eric pursues a lifelong dream. And I know he misses them terribly as well. A few weeks ago Teresa told me that Eric got a bear hug from Sting, who wrote the music for the show. That will pale in comparison to the hug he'll get tonight. Have a great weekend, my friends!
• Congratulations to Isabelle Davis Randolph (FUMC-K) and her new husband Jerryl! They were married yesterday, with the complete and excited blessings of her mom Debbie, one of my very favorite co-workers ever. Way to go Izzy!
• Yesterday was the birthday of another of my favorite all-time people, Amber Herrick (FUMC-K). Once one of Carl's Angels, always one. Much love to her as the celebrations continue this weekend.
• During our conversations at dinner last night, Amy brought up the idea of a reunion of anyone who was connected to the student ministry of Springfield Friends Meeting during the years (1986-1994) that I served there. Marilyn and I will be in NC in August, and we talked about trying to get as many folks as possible together on Sunday night, August 17th. If you have any thoughts on where we should do this (maybe for dinner?) or if you would like to help plan such an event, please let me know. My cell is 813-919-3755. We need to make some decisions quickly and get the word out!
• Congrats, Ann Saunders (SFM)!!! Out thoughts and prayers are with you as are FINALLY able to move forward. Many blessings to you and your family!
• I hear from various sources of so many former youth who are dealing with things like broken bones, sickness, loneliness and depression. Please know you are never alone. Jesus loves you. We love you you. Never be afraid to reach out of for a helping hand or a sympathetic ear.
• And finally- an update on my novel. The writing has gotten a little slower and my access to the computer has been limited by Will's creative writing class, but I am nearing 50,000 words and getting ready to see if this book has an ending. Prayers are appreciated.  :)

That's it for today! Have a great weekend and a wonderful July 4th. And leave a comment today. It's the patriotic thing to do!  Love you guys!

30/30: Five Friends I'd Love To See Today

Sometimes I look at the list of prompts I put together for this 30/30 Vision Blog Challenge and I think to myself, "What were you thinking?" Today is one one of those days. Here's the prompt I wrote back in December to write about today: 5 Friends You Wish You Could See Today -Five people you love and miss that you would kill to be able to see TODAY. And why them? I have struggled all week with this ridiculous request. There are dozens of people I want to see for a variety of reasons. Limiting the list to 5 was not only impossible, it was unfair both to myself and to a lot of people I care about. So, in true Todd Willis/Jocelyn Sessions Ward (2 people I'd love to see today!) fashion, I'm cheating! I'm changing the rules to make this more fun for me. Instead of 5 people, I have chosen 5 groups of people I'd love to spend time with on this Friday. There will still be mention of some specific names, but please don't think that means those who are not mentioned by name are any less important to me. So here is my list. I didn't include the wonderful Twitter family I have yet to meet at all, and I can't believe this list doesn't include Terri Johnson Harris, Beth Edgerton Bell, Marshall Ratledge, Darek Newby, Kathryn Burris and the rest of my old New Garden Friends youth group. Hey about that- now it does include them!  Judge me for cheating if you must. 

1. The Old Gang- Having Carl and Steve Semmler here last weekend reminded me of how much I miss the company of our group of friends from the 1980s in NC. While they were here I heard from other members of the "gang," like Denise May Langley, Beth Vestal McGalliard, Tammy Doggett Foster and Donna Haynes Myers. We told old stories about many others, including Alan Brown & Tim Vail. We struggled with our memories as we tried to recall who had dated whom and piece together our various beach trips and weddings. It was a blast. And now I want to see each and every one of those old friends- today! Or at least soon. I hope. Very soon...
2. Quaker Lake Buddies- While there is some crossover between group #1 and this group, there is still a whole new list of people I need to see. When thinking of 5 people this week this names of Neal & Susie Thomas were always near the top of my list. I love and miss them both so much. I want to see my dear friends Boom-Boom, Teddy and Leigh Ann, as well as pretty much everyone else I ever served on staff with at QLC. I want to see some of the old camper crew- people like Jay Osborne, Laura Wheeler, David Fields, Jodi Coble, Jay Wilkins and Cynthia Davis and so many more. I was always at my best when I was at QLC. Just thinking about spending a day with all of those folks again makes me smile!
3. Springfield Friends Meeting- It's been almost 20 years since we left High Point and moved to Kissimmee, but there are so many old friends at SFM who still feel like family. One of the names on my 5 person list all week long was Millie Simmons. I miss so much just sitting and talking with Millie. And I owe her a hug- or two. I'd love to eat some Pizza Inn with Jeremy Godwin, Ken Hill, Todd Farlow, Danny MecCorquodale and Jamie Robinson. I want to see my old pal Woodhead and sit and laugh with Kelly Allen Olmeda and Heather & Keri. There are long conversations to be had with Ashley Goad and Marie Allen Duke. And I really, really, REALLY want to go to dinner and a show with Butch & Barbara Moran. I could go on and on...
4. The Kissimmee Krewe- It's been less than a year since our big reunion, but I am ready to see these wonderful people again- and the others who couldn't join us as well!  I already mentioned Todd and Jocelyn, and if you know me at all you know that Teresa Reep Tysinger is always near the top of my "I miss you" list. But there are so many others- too many to list. I'll just say that I wish I could buy Dr. Jill a chocolate cobbler and sit and talk abut life with Nate, Ben, Amber, Lauren, Adam, Josh, Sarah, Connor and Hamp. Great people and great times. It would be a blast to see them ALL today!
5. Marilyn's Family- I have not been able to travel and see much of my wife's family over these past 7 years, and I do miss them very much. her Mom and sister Carol have come down a few times, but I also miss seeing her Dad, her sister Linda and the rest of the extended family very much. Today would be a great day for a visit.

My duty is fulfilled and this prompt is completed, WHEW! And once again I am reminded how blessed I am to have known so many wonderful people and have so may old friends. This list is very incomplete. I'm going to need a longer day...

Because of Jesus,

Thank You

Teresa and I Saturday morning,  just before leaving Tampa for the reunion!

Now that the Kissimmee Youth Group Reunion has come and gone, I wanted to just take a moment to say THANK YOU to a few of the people who made it such a great experience for so many old friends.  In no particular order, here we go!

• Thank you, Kelly Jeck Trace, for arranging for us to have the beautiful Osprey Pavilion for our picnic on Saturday. Being that close to the playground was a true blessing for all of the parents. Also thank you for lining up the Broadway Pizza Bar for Saturday night, and for (along with Dwight Oakes) helping to get so much of "our" old music into worship on Sunday morning.  We could not have had this event without you.
• Thank you, Jill Painter Watson, Cindy Martin and Jerry Hanbery for being so encouraging and supportive over the months of planning this event.  Your never failing enthusiasm kept the spirit of the reunion alive and kicking even when we had no idea if anyone else was coming.  The same is true for Todd Willis, even though he couldn't actually make it in for the weekend. You are all loved and appreciated.
• Thank you, Marilyn Jones, for helping with publicity and promotion, for being so supportive, and for chauffeuring me back and forth to Kissimmee- twice!  And to Will Jones for hanging in there with for a very long day on Saturday, during which he made almost everyone in attendance feel old!  I am blessed with a wonderful family!
• Thank you, Jocelyn Sessions Ward, for being the big surprise for me!  I am so sorry it took a family illness to bring you to Florida, but so glad you were able to be a part of the reunion.  It would not have been the same without you!
• Thank you, Lauren Cacciatore, Matthew Teoli and Lisa Kraus Spires for sharing your babies with us, and to so many others for bringing their kids to the picnic.  We are a family, and it felt like it.
• Thank you, Courtney Moon, for taking your lunch break on Friday to try and buy a Chicken Head to bring to the reunion just to make us all laugh!  Who new they are impossible to find in Gainesville?  But the effort was greatly appreciated!
• Thank you, Alumni of the 1994-2000 FUMC-K Student Ministries, for being there this weekend.  The genuine joy on your faces as you connected and re-connected made it all worthwhile.  Hearing you tell stories and relive great moments we shared together brought a huge smile to my face.  And hearing so many of you talk about the trips we took and how they impacted you, as well as how looking back you realize most youth groups never get to experience, made the weekend for me.  We were not normal in so many ways. And we still aren't!
• And finally, thank you to Teresa Reep Tysinger- for so many things.  For pushing the idea of a reunion in the beginning.  For kicking my butt and MAKING me put something together, and for not making me do it alone. For putting together our group Facebook page, which will remain up as a place for us to stay connected.  For coming early and spending a few days with her old youth pastor, making him feel young and special again.  In other words, thank you Teresa for just being who you always have been- a wonderful friend to myself and so many others.

Be sure to offer your word of thanks to all of these special people.  And now that the reunion is history - another incredible memory added to a long list-  only one question remains. When do we do we do it again?  I am open to suggestions...

Because of Jesus,

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,

Saturday Shout Outs: REUNION!!!

The reunion of the 1994-2000 student ministries of the First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee, Florida, is happening one week from today, and the excitement is building! I wanted to take this opportunity to make sure everyone is up to date on the details, to share another video slideshow of great old pictures, and to thank a few people who are making this great event happen.  So let's get started!

First of all, I need to say a big THANK YOU to Teresa Reep Tysinger, Kelly Jeck Trace and Dwight Oakes who have all been working to help make next weekend special.  I appreciate all of their efforts so much, and I hope everyone will be sure to thank them for their efforts.

The schedule for the weekend is set now.  Saturday (April 20) at noon there is a picnic at the Wayne Crotty Shelter (NOT the actual name; I keep forgetting to ask Kelly which shelter we reserved. Stay tuned to Facebook for that detail!) on Lake Toho. This is a chance to bring the entire family and just hang out and have fun.  Remember this is not a Potluck; bring whatever you want for your family to eat and drink or you will be OutOfLuck! :)  No reservations are needed, and if you find yourselves available at the last minute, come on out!  There is no truth to the rumor that Jerry Hanbery will be performing live at this time.  Maybe at dinner...

Speaking of which, after an afternoon break we will gather again around 6 PM at the Broadway Pizza Bar, located on Broadway a short distance from the church. This gathering is for adults, and we would love to know if you are coming ahead of time so we can let the restaurant know a number. HOWEVER- we're not turning anyone away, so come if you can!  As of this time it looks like there will be around 35 of us for dinner, although that number will likely go up. In addition to whatever food and drinks you choose to partake of (and pay for- dining and dashing are frowned upon!), there will be lots of time to hang out, get reacquainted and tell old war stories that may embarrass you.  We may even sing a song or two if the spirit moves us.  And there will be name tags in case some of us don't look quite as young as we once did.  Not me, of course...I was always old!  Stay as long as you like, or until we get thrown out!

Then for those who will be around on Sunday morning (and that includes me!) Kelly has invited us to join her at the 9:40 am service at FUMC-K.  It is a more contemporary service, and she and Dwight have been working so the congregation might sing a couple of our old songs during worship. For anyone who can, it will be a great chance to worship together again!  And then to wrap up the weekend, we will head over to Fat Boys around 11 am for lunch together.  Sounds like the perfect way to wrap up a weekend in Kissimmee!

I hope that some of you are as excited about this as Lauren Carr Cacciatore, Teresa, Jerry, Lisa Kraus Spires, Cindy Martin, Dr. Jill and myself are.  I can't wait to see everyone.  It is always tempting when planning such an event to lament all of the people you would love to see but are unable to attend.  And we have alread heard from folks like Matt & Dana Schmidt, Ben Thompson, Jacob Lupfer, Erin Augenblick Shannon, Cyndi Reep Browning and a few others that they are unable to join us. But way back in the youth group days I always planned our crazy summer schedules thinking that it was not about who couldn't come; it was about the folks who showed up.  And thus it will be next weekend.  People will be missed, but those who can join us will celebrate with each other the bond we share and the stories we lived through.  If you can come out, please do.  We'll be waiting for you! 

And finally, here's another little slide show of old pictures and music to help remind us all WHY this reunion is a good idea.  Life has certainly been better for me Since I Met You!   Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday Shout Outs!

Welcome, friends and neighbors, to another edition of my Saturday Shout Outs!  Can you believe it is July already? Summer is flying by, people are on vacations, it's hot as blazes in many parts of the country, and there is never enough Cheerwine to go around!  But still, there are things to shout about!  And so I will...

• Late last night life on Twitter got a real boost when Kelly Allen Olmeda (Springfield Friends Meeting) joined the party, and I was honored to become her first follower. No word on whether that liar Tyrone will join as well...
• Will Jones will celebrate his 17th birthday on July 16. I feel very, very old.  He will mark the occasion by spending part of the preceding weekend with his Mom at the home of Jerry & Melissa Hanbery, doing some college visits in Orlando and most likely visiting Mickey.  
• Jill Souther O'Brien (FUMC-Kissimmee) is part of a band called Melody & the Blackfish. She sings vocals.  You can check out a sample from their upcoming first album by clicking here!  Great stuff, Jill- and thanks for sharing the link proud little sister Erica Souther Davis!  
• Jill Painter Watson (FUMC-K) texted me from Stone Mountain, GA the other night, saying that she was realizing that I had been either brave or very foolish to take youth on some of the trips I took them on.  We decided I was very foolish.  We also wondered what that had to say about the adults like her who traveled with us so often.  You be the judge!  
• Our dear friend Lisa Jewett (Wesley Memorial UMC) is currently in the midst of a 2 week trip visiting her sister in Tallahassee.  I hope she is having fun, but she needs to come home soon!  Taco Tuesdaze are not the same without her!  :)
• Special prayers continue for Sally Hollingsed (FUMC-K) and her family.  Also remember the Jocelyn Sessions Ward family (FUMC-K) as they move to Alabama; Cyndi Reep Browning (FUMC-K) as her job search continues; and Marie Allen (Springfield) as she does the same. Never forget that there is power in prayer!
• In just over 2 weeks the Jones family will receive a long anticipated visit from APIG!  That's right, Ashley "Prudence Iwina" Goad Broadhurst (Springfield) will be in Tampa for a couple of days, and I can't wait.  If you would like to know more about what Ashley is up to these days, check out Solar Under the Sun!
• July 10th is the final day to vote for a date for the FUMC-Kissimmee reunion.  April 20-21, 2013 is currently winning in a landslide. For more information, visit the Reunion Page.  This is going to happen, folks, so climb on board!!!  And be watching for details on tour next planning meeting as well!!!
• And finally, I mentioned this before, but we have had some great visits with old friends lately.  It was so wonderful to see the Todd Farlow (Springfield) family, including his mom and dad and sister Amy and her family.  It was swesome to catch up with Ray and Katie Luther and little Carson (Springfield) and Todd Willis, Cindy Martin and Dr. Jill (FUMC-K).  We already know that Jamie Robinson (Springfield) and his family are headed down later this year, along with my Twitter sis Jenn.  If you are coming to central Florida, let me know. We'd love to see you!

That's it for today!  Have yourself a wonderful weekend, and thanks for reading. 

Because of Jesus,

Saturday Shout Outs!

Greetings friends and neighbors, and welcome to some summertime Saturday Shout Outs!  Today we will visit exotic lands like Texas and North Carolina; visit a strange new world called the Twitterverse; and discuss rare and unusual creatures (like my son Will!).  Come along for the ride, won't you?

• One of my favorite people on God's green earth is my old friend Denise May Langley, and her daughter Kate graduates high school today in NC.  Congratulations Kate (and Denise) and all of the other graduates and parents who are celebrating having survived high school!  
• The one year I spent at Trinity UMC in Waycross has very mixed memories for me, but most of the best ones involve a gigantic group of 7th grade students (mostly cheerleaders it seemed!) who were really starting to turn our Crosseyed Student Ministry into something special before I messed it all up.  It occurred to me the other day that they all should have graduated high school this year.  Times does fly...
• Speaking of such things, Will finished his junior year yesterday.  The long hard road towards college begins in earnest.  Pray for us, please.  Also, donations are currently being accepted!  :)
• The momentum that is pushing us towards a FUMC-Kissimmee reunion continues to grow stronger, and a planning meeting has bee officially set for June 23 at the Broadway Pizza Bar in downtown Kissimmee- 12 noon.  All are welcome. The loud rumble you hear from Texas is Teresa Reep Tysinger telling us to get on with the planning!  
• Ashley Goad Broadhurst (Springfield Friends Meeting) continues her work with the missions group Solar Under the Sun.  Check out their new video at http://player.vimeo.com/video/43308198 and then share it with everyone you know!
• I was blessed to get to be part of my first ever Tweet-Up this past week, as I met Dave and Lindsey Pettengill for breakfast at Jimbo's here in Tampa.  Dave is a veteran youth pastor now living in Toledo, Ohio, and we have been connected on Twitter for a couple of years.  Was so cool to actually meet one of my online buddies.  I hope there is much more of that in my future!
• Todd Farlow (Springfield) and his family will be here in Florida in a couple of weeks, and we hope to see them. It's been a long time since we have seen one of our very favorite people!  
• Sometime last night the little counter on this blog passed 150,000 hits. I continue to be amazed at and blessed by the support you all give me. Thank you.
• If you are a youth worker and reading this, I would love to have you do a guest post on this blog in late June.  The series topic will be If I Were Starting Over: One Thing I Would Do Differently In Youth Ministry.  Give me a shout if you are interested.
• I have been doing a lot of posts lately about classic youth group songs. Any requests?
• We continue to have a blast at Taco Tuesdaze every week, although the arrival time for Marilyn, Lisa Jewett and myself seems to to have moved closer to 7:30 than 7.  We continue to be joined on occasion by great friends from our Wesley Memorial UMC days, such as Linda Wehr, Hal & Joanne Gastler and Nina Mock. If you are in the Tampa area, stop by the Tijuana Flats in Westchase on a Tuesday night and join in the fun!
• To those of you who continue to ask for prayers, please know I am praying for you and your specific situations.  If you have prayer requests, please let me know.  I consider it a privilege to lift you up to our awesome God.

That's is it for today!  I hope all of you have a great summer, and if your family vacation plans include central Florida this year, let us know!  We'd love to see you.  Blessings to all!

Because of Jesus,

An FUMC-Kissimmee Reunion Update!

I try not to make my blogs posts too specific to any one section of my readers these days, because I know you all come from different parts of my life.  But today is different. Today's post is pointed directly at those who are alumni of the student ministry from my days in Kissimmee, Florida (1994-2000).  It seems that our dream of a reunion is moving beyond the dreaming stage and into the planning stage.  Old friends who now live in places as varied as Kansas, NC, DC, Texas, Michigan, Mississippi and Florida have spoken- and they want a reunion.  As I have written here many times before, these are relationships we all treasure- and we want to celebrate the amazing times we shared together.  The planning for where we might do this, and what we might do, will be the fun part.  The tough question, if we are to gather the most possible people from some of the far away places, is this-  WHEN???  


To help us decode this great mystery, we invite anyone who can to join for a planning meeting at the Broadway Pizza Bar in downtown Kissimmee.  I had originally proposed meeting on June 16 for lunch, but it may be that June 23 will work better.  Dr. Jill and Kelly Jeck Trace had indicated availability for the 16th; Todd Willis has indicated he will be in town from DC on the 23rd, and Cindy Martin can come that day as well.  Plus, on the 16th Lauren Carr Cacciatore will be rafting the Ocoee River, so we may all need to be on Frosty Alert!  :)  But we want to appeal to as many folks as we can.  If you are interested in being part of the planning then text me (8139193755), send me an email or use Marilyn's Facebook or my Twitter and let us know which of those 2 dates works best for you and we will choose.  We have been gathering suggestions for a reunion through Facebook for a few weeks now, and it is time to get serious and get a date on the calendar so our friends can start planning their trips to central Florida.


But even if you live too far away to be in Kissimmee for a planning meeting, we want your input on dates and what kind of event you would want this to be.  We could even include you in the meeting via text messaging if you ask nicely!  All I know for sure is that we want to be as inclusive as possible.  When you are having a family reunion, you want the entire family to be there.  Among the suggestions I have received so far include making sure we get to sing together; playing some of the old games again; sharing a meal (or 3); attending worship together; and having one event including children and one event without.  Also, Adam Hill suggested the Betsy B and Dr. Jill a ski trip reunion.  I don't really care, just so we get together.  But we would love to know what you are thinking!


This reunion is something that has been mentioned off and on ever since I began writing this blog in 2009, and it always seemed like such a long shot.  Now it is time to turn the dream into reality- and we need and want your help!  Just to make sure you remember why there are so many who would like to reunite this particular group, I have included this video I put together a couple of years ago full of pictures of those grand old days.  Using a dc Talk song (what else?), this slideshow seeks to remind us all that we are a part of the family of God.  The miles may separate us as time rolls along, but the bonds between friends will remain ever strong.  "And since I met you, I've been alright, I've been ok..."

Let me hear from you soon, and join me in praying that this event can be a blessing for some of our old friends who may be feeling disconnected and hurting.  Love you guys!

Because of Jesus,

Reunions

Last weekend my wife Marilyn and I went to see the movie American Reunion, the 4th installment of the American Pie series.  I wanted to see the movie for two reason.  I had heard it was very funny, the best of the series since the original.  And I had great memories of the original!  Despite its raunchiness (or maybe because of) I found it to be very funny.  I also found the characters to be quite believable, and the friendships they shared as they finished high school to be quite real.  I remember hearing about the original and the infamous pie scene and wondering if I should see it.  I was talked into going by one of my former students, who was in college at the time.  Lisa Kraus, Amber Herrick and I saw it together (in one of those "What was I thinking?" moments from days gone by!) and laughed hysterically.  I also saw the sequel and found it to be be pretty funny.  I never saw American Wedding, because I heard it was awful.  But the reunion installment intrigued me.  What would things be like when the whole gang got back together 13 years after graduation?  Who had changed?  Who hadn't grown up yet?  I wanted to know, and I very much enjoyed getting the answers.  And yes- it still had it moments of total raunchiness too!

Kathryn, Beth & Terri, 1981

As I thought about this a few days later, I realized something about myself.  I love reunions.  Even when fictional, I love stories of old friends reuniting and discovering that who they were in the past played such a huge role in who they are in the present.  One of my all-time favorite movies is The Big Chill, about college friends coming together for a weekend for the funeral of one of their own.  A couple of years ago I fell in love with the Adam Sandler flick, Grown Ups, about childhood buddies who come back together for the funeral of their former coach.  I can watch (and have) those movies over and over again.  And a great deal of my affection for them has to do with the stories of change, accomplishment, failure and redemption that the characters share with each other.  It just seems to me that reunions offer opportunities for great perspective and growth, as well as a chance to relive some amazing old stories.

Lauren, Chrissy and Amber, 1998

Some of you already know that if I had had a Genie and 3 wishes to work with, one of them would be to have a reunion of all of the students and adults I worked with in all of the youth ministries I served over the years.  It would be so amazing to see everyone again, to meet all the families and to catch up on life.  It would be great to share stories and see how similar the experience of youth group was for such a diverse population.  But there are more selfish reasons as well.  I want all of the Youth Counselors who gave of themselves in service to youth over the years to get a chance to share in the sense of pride and accomplishment I get from knowing these former students as adults.  I want my first "girl group" from New Garden Friends- Terri Johnson Harris, Beth Edgerton Bell and Kathryn Burris- to get to hang out with my "angels" from FUMC-K- Lauren Carr Cacciatore, Amber Herrick and Chrissy Weaver. I want Todd Willis, one of my favorite guys from Kissimmee, to get to hang out with Todd Farlow, one of my all-time favorites from High Point.  I want to hear people like Justin Overstreet, Keri Vinson Johnston, Nina Mock and Jocelyn Sessions Ward to sit around telling New York trip stories.  I want the wacky Charles Freedle and the wacky Ben Thompson to meet- and let the insanity begin!  I want to hear Jill Gilbreth Bryant  tell Jennifer Johns about the time we left her behind at a motel in Orlando, and Jennifer tell Jill about the time we lost her in New York.  I want all of the teachers (people like Lisa Kraus Spires, Jennifer Gastler, Beth Brown, Josh Fry and more) to hold court and solve all of the education issues in our nation.  :)  I want to hear a roundtable discussion of the wonders of the Betsy B featuring people like Adam Hill, Shelley Godwin Kirby and Laurie Rees.  I want everyone to hear the stories of Ken Hill, who just finished his second Boston Marathon; of Heather Beggs Varner who continues to do amazing work as the Quaker Lake Camp director; of Ashley Goad Broadhurst, who is changing the world through her work in Haiti; and of Kelly Jeck Trace who is making her hometown of Kissimmee a better place. I want everyone from my Hall of Fame to be in the same room at the same time.  I want everyone who doesn't know them to meet people like Teresa Reep Tysinger, Jerry Hanbery and Lisa Jewett who are still such a big part of my life today. I just cannot imagine how amazing it would be for all of us to share some time together in one glorious reunion.  I have confidence we will all be together again someday, for I believe Heaven will be a great community of friends and believers.  But forgive me for wanting it all now...

"The Gang" back in May, 2006.

That is not the only reunion I crave.  Many such gatherings have actually taken place; I just couldn't be there. I have missed being able to get together with my old friends (like my best friend Steve Semmler) from high school and college since I have been in Florida.  Sharing text conversations and emails lately with people like Denise May Langley, Carl Semmler and Beth Vestal McGalliard makes me miss them even more.  I miss getting to see Neal & Susie Thomas, Susan McBane Tuggle and the rest of my old friends from Quaker Lake, as well as my old North Carolina Yearly Meeting buddies like Tim Vestal, Jeff Byrd and Terry Venable.  I miss so many people. I even want a "union" of so many people I know through Twitter.  I haven't met them the first time yet...


So does all of this rambling have a point beyond my wishful thinking?  Probably not.  I guess I will wrap it up by saying that if you are reading this, and you know me at all, then I am probably wishing right now that we could get together and share life together again. I have always felt that life lived to the fullest is life lived in community- and community never ends.  Somebody famous once said it like this- "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them..."  Thanks for so many memories and so much joy.  And if someone wants to start planning the reunion of everyone I have ever known, go for it! I'll get you a list of names.  :)


Because of Jesus,