WinterFest 2008 Poem

Thanks Karen!! 

Winterfest 2008

“Flood Warning”  

As the “Flood Warning” loomed we gathered the teens,

Who had waited in anticipation like we’d never seen.

We loaded the trailer, took pictures, kissed mom.

We gathered for prayer and then we were gone.

With fifty eight people, two SUVs and three vans

All were packed tight with Winterfest fans.

 

With Jim in the lead and Tracy in draft,

Angel not far behind, Kevin and James in the back

We soon arrived at the Hampton Inn on the River

Then we waited for James…..well, better late than never.

 

Then we sorted out luggage, keys, and roommates

Will we ever get in bed?  It’s getting quite late.

We met for devotion, instructions on where to go,

Angel called “Thundercats” the boys replied “ho-oo”

We aired up our mattress’, tucked the kids in so tight

That night they were tired, they put up no fight.

 

Jeff and Jim went to Knoxville, our seats to secure

The others went for gas but we weren’t so sure

Was Kevin practicing for Nascar as the pace car he took the lead,

With Ironhead Tracy right behind him, let’s all take heed.

Swervin’ Irvin, that’s Angel, for he has no fear,

Then James they called Waltrip ‘cause he brings up the rear.

The GPS said U-turn then U-turn again,

Kevin took us in circles as we started our spin.

 

The kids were all ready for a day filled with fun,

This was tough for racers when we lost the sun.

The boys joined the shopping, then Jeffrey did call

Can you buy me these pants, seventy dollars that’s all?

Lunch at the Olive Garden, only thirty-five you say,

The kids were so good, gave some adults back their faith.

 

We loaded up the vans counted once and again,

Then back to the hotel, adults rest if you can.

We met for our passes, then loaded up for church,

The excitement was building for worship and such.

    

We all took our seats, then look on the stage,

Donna was playing the game that is all the rage.

“Are you smarter than a fifth grader”, Donna did show,

She dazzled us see, she’s got brains you all know,

But we were much more impressed with the love that she shared

When she won the Ipod….. but gave it up cause she cared.

 

Then the service it started, Jason Crabb touched our hearts,

Then David Crowder Band led us into the next part.

Jentezen Franklin he spoke, as he handed out salt

Of a covenant with God, don’t take it for naught.

Remember the sacrifice without salt is no good,

Don’t say you’re a Christian then do as you would.

 

We felt in our hearts, God was starting the work,

But as we returned to our hotel some kids went berserk.

There was running in halls and slamming of doors,

And at three in the morning Spiderman climbed down two floors,

He scaled up a pole to a balcony, ‘cause he can,

To talk with some girls, their chaperone was no fan.

She cried out to Angel “tonight you take them all”

No problem for me, if your girls can climb that wall.

 

So, needless to say there wasn’t much sleep,

But we headed for Gatlinburg, up that hill oh so steep.

Some went to ice skate, others went to shop,

The rain fell on us all, but did not make us stop.

 

Back to the hotel to gather for the next page,

Excitement was building as Eddie James took the stage

They danced and they sang, wow it was great,

We’ll never forget we sang till it was late.

 

No shackles no chains no bondage we cried

That was just the start, the crowd never died.

“You should have been there when I came thru”,

Brought so much excitement for me and for you.

 

Tommy Bates came forward, and he then sang,

Then the preaching of the Word, would end with a bang.

He called out the Demons of Suicide to go,

Some ran to the altar, and the spirit did flow.

He called for those senior boys who would give

Everything to Jesus, and learn how to live.

   

Amazing, I found God’s presence was shown,

For there is no way the preacher would have known,

Life Church is striving for unity to be,

With English and Spanish for all to see

He called for the Church to make this their plan,

To unite us in worship as much as we can.

Then he said that God told him of one special blessing,

He promised the Hispanic Church, they were excited there’s no guessing.

 

God truly touched hearts, I was so proud to be there,

The kids were the greatest they all seemed to care,

About our love for one another and the unity we share.

We will love one another and their burden’s we’ll bear.

 

Saturday was a late night, the spirit was strong.

We sat in the lobby and God gave us a song.

Finally after two I sent them to bed,

But some were so stubborn they stayed up all night instead.

 

That was all great till they wanted to try,

To sleep thru the service, but nothing got by,

They all thought that they could be sly

But they could not escape Jeff’s watchful eye.

 

The trip home was great; Tracy’s bus sang all the way,

When we stopped at the rest stop, those kids did say,

Let’s do our dance and sing our favorite song,

Up on the sidewalk it won’t take too long,

As they sang people gathered and one man stood by,

He said “You should have been there” then Sonja cried…….

“WE WERE!!!”

 

The trip’s winding down I’m sad to see it end,

But we’ll be back next year, it’s just around the bend.

We all arrived safely so glad that we came,

Now all that we are doing is waiting on James………..

(Love ya James)

      

karen

 

~ by Jim on March 19, 2008.