I am pretty excited about this new ASP event this year. It will be held at the South Brandywine Middle School Track on May 16, starting at 1PM.
Each participant will have the opportunity to compete in 4 quarter-mile races (that's 1 mile total), with a final run-off of the winners from each heat. There will also be an obstacle race with some simulated exercises such as crawling under the house, walking on rafters, ladder work, and a construction exercise. I'm pretty sure God will give me some other nifty ideas before the day arrives.
Of course, sensitivity is one of the 3 S-'s at ASP, so this event will be as competitive or as non-competitive as each individual makes it. We never force anyone at ASP to do something they are really uncomfortable with. A little uncomfortable, well, then we might help you push yourself.
I'm taking requests for "Olympic competition music" to play during the events, so if you know any great songs to get us moving, please let me know! I wonder if I can get a hot dog vendor, or, at least a gatorade table, maybe some banannas! This is gonna be so much fun! :-)
I'm planning on having chairs available for plenty of spectators to watch so please come on out and cheer on your Olivet ASP Youth Trip Team!
Happy Hiking, and God Bless,
- allen
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Reflections on Katie's wedding day -
It's been two weeks since I updated this blog. Two weeks since Katie's wedding. That's along time to wonder how Katie's wedding went, if this is the only way you hear from me.
I apologize.
Katie's wedding was a major event. It could not have been a better day. As Libby put it, it was a fairy tale weekend! The weather was beautiful. The wedding was beautiful. Katie and Andrew are back from their honeymoon and life has restarted again.
I would like to reflect on a few moments of note.
- I was uncertain how my father's date of death coinciding with Katie's wedding was going to be for me. As it turns out, it did not even occur to me while walking up the aisle with Katie. It was only after we reached the front of the church and I turned around to see the close relatives sitting in the front pews, that it occurred to me that my mom and dad were not there. But it was not a completely sad moment. I felt like mom and dad were enjoying the event from a better vantage point. I'm not sure about all the theology involved there. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me that much at the moment, maybe later it will. For now, what matters is that I felt like mom and dad were there, even though they weren't physically present, and I feel like that's all O.K. :-)
- I can't begin to get my hands around this day. Katie is a daughter to be proud of. The music quartet did a wonderful job. Libby did a beautiful job with The Lord's Prayer. Absolutely beautiful. For me, the most memorable moment of the wedding itself was when Libby and Nick sang an upbeat song with the words, "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend" ... It was just what we all needed, especially when Katie and Andrew smiled and bee-bopped with the music, Andrew pretending to put a flower in Katie's hair. That moment to me is a perfect picture of the loving bliss that they begin their marriage together with. The reading (done by Katie's YCP roommate Hillary) from Song of Solomon went along with it, and along with the first day of spring, beautifully.
- It was great seeing so many people I know and consider good friends as part of the wedding party. Katie's sister Jenny, Katie's childhood friend Hannah, Katie's other YCP roommates Jen and Laura (with Hillary they make up "The Nurse Nerds" - my term, not theirs), and Andrew's sisters Cara and Courtney, and Andrew's best man, Sean, who he roomed with at Drexel and grew up with in Coatesville. The rest of the wedding party are new friends, on Andrew's side, which I am only beginning to know but look forward to lots of opportunities to spend time with them all in the future. Oh - but actually - there are two more in the wedding party, my granddaughter Naomi, 5 months old if my math is close, she was assisted as a flower girl by her dad Tim, dropping rose petals I and others have given to Katie over the years, down the aisle. And last but not least, my grandson Ryan. About 2.5 years old, we all wondered if Ryan would really carry those rings (yes the real rings, we did trust him I guess) all the way up the aisle to Pastor Joe. Not only did he make it, he even stopped at the direction of the photographer, for a picture! Gotta say it was darn cool also to have two twins from our neighborhood, that Katie was a "nannie" for several years in the summers anyway, handing out programs. Thanks Rachel and Sarah!
- I can't wait to see the professional pics of Katie and Andrew and the wedding party crossing third avenue, Abbey Road Style! What an awesome idea for a musical groom! I am proud of my son-in-law's musical abilites and his love of the Beatles, and also, for his love for the children he is teaching. I think he's discovering that he really enjoys teaching children about his passion for music. That's very very cool!
- There were lots of special moments at the reception too. The wedding party being introduced with sunglasses on was a cool idea, don't know whose idea it was, but it was cool. Dancing with Katie was amazing. We talked alot. That's between Katie and I. It was awesome to have a chance to see so many of Katie's friends again! I miss them all so much. They used to come over all the time. Not any more. They're all growing up. There were a few very special moments talking with some of those old friends too. Finding out what they're up too. Sharing some struggles too. Life is hard. I pray for them all. May they know God's love. Of course I also saw many of my old friends, and, ok, I can say it right, my favorite cousins from my Aunt Ginny's family who grew up so close to my house when I was a kid I felt we were all part of the same family. Do you guys remember watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan? I do. She loves you and I wanna hold your hand. A historical moment I am happy to have shared with my cousins. I think it was Cheryl said, I like their music, but I'd never be jumping up and down pulling my hair out like that! Yeah right. Of course you would have! Well, we were all together in Mission Viejo for Aunt Ginny's funeral in December 2008, and all together (well minus one, sorry you couldn't make it Marilyn, it's ok really) all together again for Katie's wedding. I really enjoyed our breakfast on Sunday morning!
- Of course, there are many other relatives I see more frequently that we also got to see. It is good we see each other so frequently that it isn't such a special event to see you all at Katie's wedding. You are all dear to me.
- So as I sat there at the beginning of the reception, I looked around the room, and I felt surrounded by love. Everywhere I looked I saw someone I wanted to talk to. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to talk to you all. I did go back to my room and change, then come out later to talk to many of the relatives staying at the resort that nite. In fact, I was up until almost 2AM talking. Especially with Andrew's side of the family which I am only beginning to know, but, many of you I didn't even see until it was time for you to leave and I feel very badly for that. What to do?
- At any rate, the sign in front of Katie and Andrew, at the head table, which is now over Andrew and Katie's closet in their apartment, encapsulates so much: Andrew, Katie, The Beatles, God, Karen and I too. What an appropriate sign for Katie and Andrew's wedding. Not a bad motto for life. Not too far off from "Love God Love People" - that was Jesus. Katie and Andrew's sign reads ... "All You Need Is Love".
I apologize.
Katie's wedding was a major event. It could not have been a better day. As Libby put it, it was a fairy tale weekend! The weather was beautiful. The wedding was beautiful. Katie and Andrew are back from their honeymoon and life has restarted again.
I would like to reflect on a few moments of note.
- I was uncertain how my father's date of death coinciding with Katie's wedding was going to be for me. As it turns out, it did not even occur to me while walking up the aisle with Katie. It was only after we reached the front of the church and I turned around to see the close relatives sitting in the front pews, that it occurred to me that my mom and dad were not there. But it was not a completely sad moment. I felt like mom and dad were enjoying the event from a better vantage point. I'm not sure about all the theology involved there. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me that much at the moment, maybe later it will. For now, what matters is that I felt like mom and dad were there, even though they weren't physically present, and I feel like that's all O.K. :-)
- I can't begin to get my hands around this day. Katie is a daughter to be proud of. The music quartet did a wonderful job. Libby did a beautiful job with The Lord's Prayer. Absolutely beautiful. For me, the most memorable moment of the wedding itself was when Libby and Nick sang an upbeat song with the words, "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend" ... It was just what we all needed, especially when Katie and Andrew smiled and bee-bopped with the music, Andrew pretending to put a flower in Katie's hair. That moment to me is a perfect picture of the loving bliss that they begin their marriage together with. The reading (done by Katie's YCP roommate Hillary) from Song of Solomon went along with it, and along with the first day of spring, beautifully.
- It was great seeing so many people I know and consider good friends as part of the wedding party. Katie's sister Jenny, Katie's childhood friend Hannah, Katie's other YCP roommates Jen and Laura (with Hillary they make up "The Nurse Nerds" - my term, not theirs), and Andrew's sisters Cara and Courtney, and Andrew's best man, Sean, who he roomed with at Drexel and grew up with in Coatesville. The rest of the wedding party are new friends, on Andrew's side, which I am only beginning to know but look forward to lots of opportunities to spend time with them all in the future. Oh - but actually - there are two more in the wedding party, my granddaughter Naomi, 5 months old if my math is close, she was assisted as a flower girl by her dad Tim, dropping rose petals I and others have given to Katie over the years, down the aisle. And last but not least, my grandson Ryan. About 2.5 years old, we all wondered if Ryan would really carry those rings (yes the real rings, we did trust him I guess) all the way up the aisle to Pastor Joe. Not only did he make it, he even stopped at the direction of the photographer, for a picture! Gotta say it was darn cool also to have two twins from our neighborhood, that Katie was a "nannie" for several years in the summers anyway, handing out programs. Thanks Rachel and Sarah!
- I can't wait to see the professional pics of Katie and Andrew and the wedding party crossing third avenue, Abbey Road Style! What an awesome idea for a musical groom! I am proud of my son-in-law's musical abilites and his love of the Beatles, and also, for his love for the children he is teaching. I think he's discovering that he really enjoys teaching children about his passion for music. That's very very cool!
- There were lots of special moments at the reception too. The wedding party being introduced with sunglasses on was a cool idea, don't know whose idea it was, but it was cool. Dancing with Katie was amazing. We talked alot. That's between Katie and I. It was awesome to have a chance to see so many of Katie's friends again! I miss them all so much. They used to come over all the time. Not any more. They're all growing up. There were a few very special moments talking with some of those old friends too. Finding out what they're up too. Sharing some struggles too. Life is hard. I pray for them all. May they know God's love. Of course I also saw many of my old friends, and, ok, I can say it right, my favorite cousins from my Aunt Ginny's family who grew up so close to my house when I was a kid I felt we were all part of the same family. Do you guys remember watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan? I do. She loves you and I wanna hold your hand. A historical moment I am happy to have shared with my cousins. I think it was Cheryl said, I like their music, but I'd never be jumping up and down pulling my hair out like that! Yeah right. Of course you would have! Well, we were all together in Mission Viejo for Aunt Ginny's funeral in December 2008, and all together (well minus one, sorry you couldn't make it Marilyn, it's ok really) all together again for Katie's wedding. I really enjoyed our breakfast on Sunday morning!
- Of course, there are many other relatives I see more frequently that we also got to see. It is good we see each other so frequently that it isn't such a special event to see you all at Katie's wedding. You are all dear to me.
- So as I sat there at the beginning of the reception, I looked around the room, and I felt surrounded by love. Everywhere I looked I saw someone I wanted to talk to. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to talk to you all. I did go back to my room and change, then come out later to talk to many of the relatives staying at the resort that nite. In fact, I was up until almost 2AM talking. Especially with Andrew's side of the family which I am only beginning to know, but, many of you I didn't even see until it was time for you to leave and I feel very badly for that. What to do?
- At any rate, the sign in front of Katie and Andrew, at the head table, which is now over Andrew and Katie's closet in their apartment, encapsulates so much: Andrew, Katie, The Beatles, God, Karen and I too. What an appropriate sign for Katie and Andrew's wedding. Not a bad motto for life. Not too far off from "Love God Love People" - that was Jesus. Katie and Andrew's sign reads ... "All You Need Is Love".
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