A Wedding, Friends, and Family

 

Confession:  I did not take any pictures at the wedding last week.  As a matter of fact, I took very few pictures the entire time we were gone.  Sometimes the camera gets in the way of an enjoyable visit!

The main purpose of our visit was for the wedding of Craig and Danielle.  That took place on Friday night and it was beautiful.  The Nashville Chamber Players performed all the music.  It was so classy - a string quartet, playing classical pieces.  Pastor Ron Becton did a great job with the ceremony.  It seemed a blessing was on this couple who had followed their parents' counsel, both finishing college before they embarked upon their new life together.  The reception was a dessert buffet - a wide variety of sweets that included Ben and Jerry's ice cream!  Danielle doesn't like cake, so the ice cream was for her, but we enjoyed it too.

Since we were arriving on Thursday, we knew we had an evening free.  Les planned a mini reunion with friends from Pioneer Christian Academy, the school he attended in grades 6-9.  He hadn't seen some of his former classmates in over 30 years.  We had a really enjoyable evening.  I think we closed out the restaurant!

Class of 1981

For the first part of our visit we stayed with Josh and Rachel Farmer.  Rachel is one of Danielle's best friends.  Several people asked how we old folks end up at this young couple's house - Rachel, along with Doug, Lori, and Danielle had gone on a cruise to Mexico with us several years ago.  We normally stay with Doug and Lori, but didn't want to intrude on all they had going on.  Josh and Rachel were kind enough to invite us.  It was great to catch up with her and to see the home God has blessed them with.  Friday morning we ran the Riverwalk Trail that starts in their development and runs along the Harpeth River.

On Sunday morning we made our way to Franklin, Tennessee.  We visited Life Change United Pentecostal Church pastored by Les' cousin, Jonathan.  Jonathan was in our wedding and was also our first guest shortly after we were married.  We enjoyed a great service with them and lunch with Jonathan and Mitzi, along with their four kids.  Les' uncle Jim and aunt Marilyn also attend there and aunt Marilyn joined us for lunch as well.  (And I didn't take a single picture of any of them.)

Next up was a trip to Cookeville, Tennessee.  Home to the Wearing family - Les' sister, Lisa, her husband, Rick and their four kids. (Yes, we visited with 8 children in one day!!)  It had been three years since I had seen them.  Wesley, their oldest, is now 14 and almost as tall as me.  Reese, at almost 11, isn't far behind.  I had a fun time with Galina and Leksi, as they played on the trampoline and showed me their rooms.

Galina

Leksi

Les' parents are in the process of moving to Cookeville.  They have been in eastern Tennessee for many years, but are downsizing and moving to a condo close to Lisa and her family.  Monday and Tuesday we enjoyed more visits, plus some running (for me) and cycling (for Les) in the hills of Cookeville.

Our final stop before heading back to Nashville and on to LAX was Tennessee Tech University - where Les spent four years getting his Mechanical Engineering degree.  I had only been there one other time and we didn't get out of the car.  We walked all over this time.

University Center with the Cafeteria, Post Office, Book Store

Looking for long lost mail

Derryberry Hall

Entering the old library

Every where we went on campus, everyone was so nice.  First they would look at us, wondering if we were lost or looking for our child.  When asked, Les would say, "I graduated from here in 1987."  That brought so many nice comments.  The Alumni Association even gave him a backpack!

Hooper-Eblen Center - The "Hoop"

Basketball Court with a Tech Golden Eagle

We really packed a lot in a short amount of time!  And it felt like Fall.  Cool mornings, mild throughout the day.  My dream of what Fall should be... unlike the 90 degrees temps we're anticipating this weekend.

Holiness Hill Reunion

If you read my previous post, you know that Les and I traveled to Nashville again. I have to confess that I scheduled that post before we left but we did NOT get to eat at Cracker Barrel!! This is our fourth trip back in 11 months - Thanksgiving 2008, Brent and Alicia's wedding, Bill and Dolly's anniversary, and the Holiness Hill Reunion.

So what is a Holiness Hill Reunion? Holiness Hill is the name of the Tennessee youth camp that Les attended back in the 70s and early 80s. Doug and Lori Long, Sonna Reid, Suzanne Andrews and a few others got together and decided it would be a great idea to have a reunion. Months of planning culminated in a fantastic weekend that none of us will ever forget!

Over 100 attendees, many who Les had not seen in 25 years or more, started gathering Friday evening at the "new" Tennessee camp group - Camp Lake Benson. The laughter, squeals of delight, hugs, handshakes and smiles seemed endless. It seems the years rolled back, and everyone was young again! Children were not invited, although "tag-along" spouses like me were! I enjoyed meeting so many people. I was able to put faces with names and the many stories I have heard through the years.

After a time of fellowship, we all made our way through the line to get our dinner. But it was after dinner that the fun really began. With Doug emceeing, many people made their way to the front to share a memory or a story or a confession! There were even some "older" folks, former staff members, who shared stories of a different youth camp - the one seen through the eyes of the staff.

Melody (Duncan) Smallwood told about Terri (Atkins) Wachstetter receiving the Holy Ghost. Melody wanted to know how to receive it for herself. Terri said, "just pray at the pole over there, that's where I got it." Melody took her advice and it worked! The show of hands of those who received the Holy Ghost at Holiness Hill was the true measure of youth camp's success.

There were skits - "The Elevator," "The Hypochondriac," and "The Family Vacation" that became the "Bus Trip to Youth Camp." All the actors had to go on was the name of the skit and their memories. I think there may have been some new scenes, especially ailments that 10-year-olds would not have understood!

As the planned activities wound down, small groups formed and changed while people were getting caught up on the lives of others. Then someone made their way to the piano and soon the platform was crowded as they gathered to sing the old camp choir songs - "Going Up Yonder," "Holy Ground," "Rise Again," "Praise the Lord (He can work through those who praise Him)" and "The Boy's Name was Steve..." It was amazing that so many remembered not only the words but their parts! Sopranos, altos and tenors found their parts and the sound was amazing!

We finally made our way to our room at about 2:30 a.m.! We were exhausted, but exhilarated!

We met back up for breakfast Saturday morning. We picked up our plastic trays and filled them with youth camp standards - biscuits, gravy, sausage, eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh-from-the-oven, melt-in-your-mouth, think-you've-died-and-gone-to-heaven, world-famous, Cinnamon Rolls! Les said that was worth the price of our ticket!

Saturday morning activities included a sword drill. The participants lined up in their chairs, Bibles in hand, waiting for the reference to be given so they could look for their verse. This sword drill had a twist - each verse had an animal in it, so the "winner" got to act like the animal in their verse!


"Volunteers" also go to play old camp standard games such as "Rhythm," "Alli Babba," "This is a What?" and "Baby, I Love You, but I Just Can't Smile." Again, the years melted away and everyone was young again!


The Luthers, who had worked in youth camp since the 60s, brought piles and piles of paperwork from their years of service. Included were applications for camp workers along with evaluation forms. We found a few of Les' when he was 16-18 and worked as a counselor for Junior Camp. He listed his experience as "I worked as a counsellor at last year's camp, also, every day I have to keep my Jr aged sister out of trouble." That seemed to work since they let him in!

Saturday morning we also took the time to pray for a former counselor. Before he was a missionary, Bro. Steve Willoughby was a counselor to many of the men in attendance. His family has suffered greatly this year, and it was our privilege to lift them up in prayer while we were all together.

Unfortunately the girls won the "Pig" for having the messiest dorm! The pig was signed by all the former campers and donated to the camp museum that contains memorabilia from years of activities in the Tennessee district.


I'm sure I'm forgetting many of the things that went on, but it was a total blast! Keith Austin's wife, Jennifer, was raised in a religious organization that did not have youth camps. She summed it up by saying, "I feel cheated that I didn't go to youth camp!"

On our way to church last night, Les and I were talking about what makes Youth Camp so unique. There is no other activity that takes a group of children or young people, many who have never met, and throws them together for a week without their parents. Girls who have never met are bunk mates. Strangers on Sunday, but doing each others hair, and sharing shoes and secrets by Friday. While boys probably don't do each others hair very often, bonds are formed during pillow fights and on the ball field. And while the times of fun formed bonds of friendships, times at the altar formed bonds that will last through eternity.

I think this is just a small taste of what heaven will be like. But we'll never have to go home again and we'll never get tired! It's gonna be great!

Good Times!

We had another great visit with the Longs -this time at our place! With Les and Doug working on Friday, we ladies took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and hung out in the pool all afternoon.

Saturday morning we hopped on the Amtrak and rode to Santa Barbara. In Doug's line of work (law enforcement) he meets all kinds of characters, but I think his seatmate on the train may have ranked in the top ten, at least for this month...

The train was quite crowded due to the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard. There was a four seat booth with one man in it. Doug asked if any of the seats were available and only one was. Then the fun began! The man asked if Doug knew who he was. Turns out, he was Peter Pan. Ahem... He was saving seats for Wendy and the Lost Boys who were currently in the Cafe. It just got funnier as he pulled family pictures out of his wallet. They included pictures of Wendy and the Lost Boys...



His stories were quite entertaining. Especially to Danielle and Lori who were seated directly behind "Peter" and Doug! The best line was, "You know what it takes? It takes Faith, Trust, and... Pixie Dust!" Wooh Boy!! You know, you just can't make this stuff up!

After arriving in Santa Barbara, we made our way down Stearns Warf and the pier. There are quite a few homeless that set up arrangements trying to get money from passersby. One creates sand sculptures, and charges for pictures. Others are a little less creative...




We had lunch at the Beachbreak Cafe. When I asked what the soup of the day was, our waiter responded, "I'll have to ask, they change it everyday!" These kinds of comments just added fuel to our laughter!!

A sea lion made his way up one of the boat ramps Saturday afternoon, blocking a Coast Guard boat that was getting ready to go out. There was a beach volleyball and beach soccer tournament going on as well. And of course, we visited the many shops up and down State Street - more shopping bags!

After a wonderful dinner at the Harbor Restaurant, we headed back to Simi on the Surfliner! Another great day with wonderful friends.

Amidst our times of laughter, we also have serious times. Lori and I were wiping tears more than once as we talked about God's hand in our lives and the lives of ones we love. The Longs are dedicated to the Children's Ministry in their church and also direct the S.W.A.T. team. S.W.A.T. stands for Serving with Anointed Tactics - they use sign language, dowel rods, and drama to minister in their local church and other churches. Both of these ministries are lots of work on their own, but Doug and Lori work tirelessly in both of them.

It's a privilege knowing the Longs. They are faithful, good folks! And it shows in the life of their daughter, Danielle. At 19 she is continuing to mature in God, she is on the S.W.A.T. team and teaches Sunday school. I know she will be an even greater blessing in years to come!

Time to start planning our next visit!