Good Food, Good Friends, Good Memories, Good Times

What a fantastic night tonight. Hosted by the ever-gracious Dr. Jeff Todd family at their palace in Woodbury, several couples and their 27 kids gathered tonight to love on Mark, Lori, Luke, Connor and Lydia Jane Manry before they head off the Jinja, Uganda later this fall.

It was so wonderful to see old college friends and catch up on our lives, to enjoy conversation and reminisce, to watch our children play together. The only thing lacking was Brad Benedict.

My old high school Bible teacher, Charles Baugh, once said at the beginning of a school year (I remember this clearly) that "people are the only things worth living for because only people live forever." Nights like tonight are vivid reminders that such is truth.

Of course it was a bittersweet reunion because we came together for one last hurrah for the Manry's. The Manry Family will be leaving later this fall for several years of preaching and teaching in Jinja, Uganda. All of us have special memories of Mark and/or Lori; and we also have now grown fond of their beautiful children: Luke, Connor and Lydia Jane. That said, the coming months will be difficult as we say our goodbyes. But that wasn't really on the radar tonight; instead we dwelt on the joy we share as friends, remembered the good times, and expressed hope and confidence for their future.

I'll be seeing Mark again in a few weeks as he closes out another degree from Lipscomb, and in fine style I might add: a John Mark Hicks Seminar in Theology, Postmodern Theologies, at that. Thank you, sir, may I have another? So I'll save a few thoughts about Mark and all the trails we've trod together (like when we sang Rocky Top somewhere in New Mexico) for another post.

Jeff McInturff, if you happen to read this, email me, let's have you over for supper sometime.

Tonight was a night of grace and peace.