Greenville trip, part 2

here is the rest of the update on my trip to Gville, while my nail polish dries on my fingers. :)

I stayed both nights in Greenville with Heather in the little Locust Ave apt. #B at the Jewitts. I was grateful to stay with her and enjoyed our times of talking as we fell asleep and lounging together on Sunday!!

Saturday morning, I went over to Liz's and we visited some more before the pre-game tailgate. The tailgate was fantastic and fun. Heather and I hung out with the parents, and enjoyed Louisiana Gumbo and some other delightlful foods. It was neat to be there with the Sr. parents and think back to my first year with all of them (it was my second year at GC FB)... our first tailgate was pretty small, but neat. Since then, EPAPP has built a gigantic smoker/bbq and dontated it to the program, and huge tent that shelters the players in hot sun and cold rain (during pre-game and at the half), and a big cowbell decorated with "EMAP" and our panther logo.

I loved being with the parents as we prayed and cheered the team onto the field for the pregame senior ceremony.

This part was pretty moving for me. All seventeen of the seniors paraded through a tunnel of the other players and met their parents or another representative at the end. At one point I sat down next to Kess on the bleacher at the sideline and got a little teary. It was pretty neat to be there with Scotty and think back to his vision for Greenville Football at the time these guys were recruited. Seventeen is a huge graduating class, and it was pretty neat. I missed Dave and Kyle at that point. They would have loved to see it!

The game was fun - Derek Robinson surprised us and showed up in town. I spent the second half on the sideline, talking to Lash and DRob. I love those guys. We didn't win the game, but in the fourth quarter, down by three touchdowns, the team rallied and ended up scoring twice before the buzzer sounded. I was proud to be with them.

Eric moved the post-game locker room time into the Briner building ("The Shop") and the Seniors got up to share.... three hours later it was done. I only got to stay for about two hours, but the two hours I was there was amazing. I was proud to hear them share, to listen to the way they've become men of character and gratitude and to cry with them in joy! :)

I left early to go to dinner with the Filby's and that was a great time. I loved hearing about their lives and really just enjoying their company. I wish I could have spent more time with them!!!

I returned to Liz and Eric's for just a short time and then headed to Jo's to hear Katie Kapteyn play a show. She was great as expected and I really enjoyed it.

Sunday morning, I was tired but trying to fit it all in! I had early breakfast with Scotty and Kyle Krober who were both in town. Super good to go back over our memories, and get caught up on our present. Then I met with Norm to hear a little bit about what's happening in Greenville Student Life and Residence Life. Finally, I got to be in my old Sunday school class (it was awesome!!) and then go to church with my old friends at Greenville FMC. If you get to Greenville, check it out!!

After church, Heather, DRob, TJ, Jared and I all went to Rancho Nuevo, where we had a great time laughing and enjoying each other and just being totally redic. Then followed a brief wal-mart stop and a trip home to relax before Heather took me to the airport that evening.

I had a good trip home (delayed flight, but it was OK), got home around 1am and started back to school and work.

So it was quick and full..... but it was great!

Thanks to my pals in Greenville (etc) for a WONDERFUL (if brief) vacation.