lifeasmission

A Memorial Week at Home

May 31, 2007

Attention: Long Post Ahead – For your own safety please consult bold headings and pictures

Home to Ohio – Thursday, May 24

I am in Cleveland airport returning from a week home in Ohio. I was home to spend time with family, to be with my community of friends who were taking advantage of the long weekend to be together, and just to plain break the monotony and have a change of scenery. My travel schedule wasn’t the best as I left at 12:30 am last Thursday (LA time) and I’ll be arriving at 1 am tomorrow. However, on the way out here the flight was overbooked and though I volunteered to step off, I was instead assigned a seat in first class. I didn’t put up much of a fight. I got to spend my first day at home with my mom. We had a nice afternoon and dinner together and then she deposited me down in Canton as she was leaving the next morning to spend a few days with my grandma up at Pelee Island in Lake Erie. I went out with Babs and Jay for some wings and to watch a disappointing loss by the Cavs.

My Worship Gig – Friday, May 25

No sooner was I home than I got an offer from my friend Nicole to help with a Kindergarten graduation by playing guitar for a song the kids were gonna be singing and dancing to. I was thrilled to help. So, Nicole and her husband Johnny came over to Sarah, Jay, and Wendy’s where I was staying and taught me the song, “Ain’t Nobody.” It was a camp sort of song with a funky rhythm, which, I forgot 5 minutes after I mastered it. We rehearsed with the kids on Friday morning. After I left rehersal I stopped off to see Sean and Julie who had just gotten in town and visited with them for a bit as well as Ryan and Christina and the rest of the Savage clan. I was set for a nap by the time I got back, but made the mistake of asking Jay if he wanted to go for a run. I pretty much relaxed after that until the actual graduation that evening. After that, we just waited for Cris to get in town from D.C., and we watched a movie together.

Lindsay’s, Angle Ball, & Bonfire – Saturday, May 26

Saturday morning began with a visit to famed breakfast spot, Lindsay’s in Massillon. Lindsay’s is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that, between the clientèle and cheap breakfasts, is a must-do. Heather and Ryan made it in that morning and joined Jay, Wendy, Sarah, Cris, and I. We hung out for a long time just chatting, catching up, and laughing.

The mandatory game of Angleball was slightly delayed due to some revolutionary construction on Babs’ part, aided, of course, by his trusty sidekicks (Sean, Josh, and I).

We played Angleball in the rain which made it way more fun. Sean, in true Sean fashion, played barefoot and amused several with a punt which landed him flat on his back. Jason, who was able to play as well, appropriately wore his Under Armor, and toasted all of us all over the field.

We went home and cleaned up and then reconvened at Babs and Carrie’s house for dinner and a Bonfire. Babs and Carrie were extremely gracious as hosts and I was so happy that a whole slew of people showed up. Besides the hosts, I got to see Jay, Wendy, Sarah, Ryan, Heather, Sean, Julie, Jess, Trisha, Nate, Shawn, Sarah, Branden, John, Greg, Natalie, Josh, Rachel, Cris, and maybe a few others I am unfortunately forgetting right now. It was a really good evening together.

My Favorite Lunch & Then to Chargrin Falls – Sunday, May 27

I was able to visit my friend Dave who serves as a campus pastor in Hartville on Sunday morning. He was preaching and it made me nostalgic for the days when we served together.
Sunday was also Nate and Trisha’s 1-year anniversary. Thanks for the reminder Trish I visited with Dave and his wife Tami for a bit after the service and then I was off to my most favorite lunch that I have each time I am home, when I get to reconnect with the students who are still so dear to me. I was able to share a meal with Josh, Ryan, Adam, Nate, Olivia, Lauren, Marci, Alex, Shawn, Sarah, and Leanne at Chili’s. Of course I wasn’t able to spend as much as time with each of them as I would have liked, but it was great to get a glimpse into what’s going on in their worlds and to fill them in on what’s going on in mine.

On my way back to the house, I ran by and said hello to my friends Ryan and Sarita, Sarita’s sister Rachel who was home from college, Sarita’s folks, Nate and Trish, and Ryan and Sarita’s new-born, Kayla. They were hanging out at Cici’s for Ryan’s birthday.

Then, it was up to Chagrin to hang out at Heather’s for the day and to hit downtown for a Hot Air Balloon launch. Sarah and Ben Drenik as well as Amy Smith came in town for the afternoon and Jason, Sarah, Josh & Rachel, Jay & Wendy, and Cris were there as well. We tossed the football around the back yard, had a great lunch, spent some time at the launch and then had the chance to go to Josh’s parents’ house for a bonfire. It was really a sweet day just being with everyone.

Making the Rounds – Monday, May 28

Monday was designated “see-as-many-people-as-possible-day.” I met up with Sean & Julie and Ryan & Christina at the Savage’s house in the morning. Julie and I taught Sean and Ryan how to play euchre and had a good time as always. From there I went over to visit Nick and the rest of the Snavely clan for a while. It was good to catch up with them as well. I got to meet up with Gina after that at Panera – our usual meeting place and she filled me in on her life at college, plans for the summer, and nervousness about finding a job in the “real world” after she graduates next year. We walked down and said hi to Leanne who was working her first day at Old Navy, and then I had to take off. The Gougler’s had me over for an awesome dinner and I got to meet Liv’s new boyfriend Steve. They just have to be about one of my most favorite families in the world. We were only missing Krysta who is over serving in Africa. After dinner I got to meet up with probably my most favorite person in the world, (also a contemporary Jonah) Jordane. We walked a few laps around Jackson park talking about life, love, God, and everything inbetween. We parted and I closed out the day of visits with some time at a d-group meeting with some of my favorite guys. I got back to the house where Jay, Wendy, Cris, Sarah, and I played a little game called, “Tell Everyone Your Most Embarassing and Private Secrets.” If you have (or want) really good friends, I highly recommend this game! We started to watch Stranger Than Fiction, but one by one, we all faded away.

Winding Down – Tuesday, May 29

Tuesday was nowhere near as exhausting, but fairly packed and fun nonetheless. I met up with Dave in the morning at Starbucks and had a good chat and visit with him. I envy so much his character and desire to be used by God. I ran by the alumni office at Malone basically just for the heck of it and it was good to connect with Deb and keep her informed of where I am at and what I am looking to do. You just never know what connections God might make through who. Later in the afternoon I spent sometime with Jason and Suzi and their awesome kids Caris and JJ.

After that Babs and I went to check on some stuff at my house. My mom came down and I got to have dinner with her and Ken, my best friend from high school and his girlfriend Emily. After dinner my mom and I went to see Reign Over Me, which we both enjoyed (me for the 2nd time – great soundtrack) and then we got some ice cream with Ryan and Christina. I said good bye to my housemates for the week and headed back to Stow.

On My Way Back – Wednesday, May 30

Slept way in this morning. Today was the only day that I didn’t have to get up for anything. I helped my mom with some stuff around the house, we took lunch and visited with my grandma, and watched a movie together in the afternoon. I caught my plane back and now I am sitting in the Las Vegas airport wondering how that week went so dang fast. My buddy Sam will be picking me up at the airport and then it’s back to work tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who made my trip home a sweet time. I miss you already.

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