On Friday (Jan 24th), after a long week of “goodbyes,” we went to
Jessie and Jason’s house to spend our last evening with them, Karly and Bryan.
We ordered pizza and then the guys decided they wanted to go play ping-pong, so
we headed to the church. (‘Cause, you know, that’s where all of the late-night underground ping-pong tournaments are usually held.. :)
We pulled into the dark parking lot where there was only one empty van waiting and ready to transport a group of men to Wichita the next day. Nothing unusual! However, as Ryan and I pulled into the parking lot, he had called both of his parents and both sisters to see where they were and tell them to meet at the church to pick up our car. No one answered, so we were both getting a little nervous that something bad had happened to them!
We pulled into the dark parking lot where there was only one empty van waiting and ready to transport a group of men to Wichita the next day. Nothing unusual! However, as Ryan and I pulled into the parking lot, he had called both of his parents and both sisters to see where they were and tell them to meet at the church to pick up our car. No one answered, so we were both getting a little nervous that something bad had happened to them!
Then, still feeling a little uneasy about his family, we all went inside the dark building and headed down the
hall on our way downstairs to play ping-pong. On our way there, Jason mentioned
that someone had put up a new 6-foot TV in the fellowship hall and wanted to
show it to us all.
Okay, sure. It sounds big!
We proceeded to open the doors of the big, dark, empty room. Wait a minute - it wasn’t empty! When our eyes adjusted to the darkness we caught a glimpse of the silhouettes of some people who appeared to be standing in a circle.
A few seconds later, the lights flicked on and the room was filled in loud unison with: “SURPRISE!!!!!”
The next 30 seconds happened so quickly! I didn’t know it was possible for so much to happen in just a matter of a few seconds. Recalling that moment from both the perspectives of Ryan and myself is quite funny.
Our very first instinct was, “OH NO!” – my jaws dropped and I could tell that I had a look of pure shock on my face. We both pretty instantly backed up and tried running out of there.
Within those few seconds, we were so confused and didn’t know what to do. We both absolutely sure that we had just completely ruined a surprise party for someone’s birthday or some other big event, and one of my first thoughts was that I felt so horrible because these people were going to have to do it all over again when the guest of honor arrived!
Okay, sure. It sounds big!
We proceeded to open the doors of the big, dark, empty room. Wait a minute - it wasn’t empty! When our eyes adjusted to the darkness we caught a glimpse of the silhouettes of some people who appeared to be standing in a circle.
A few seconds later, the lights flicked on and the room was filled in loud unison with: “SURPRISE!!!!!”
The next 30 seconds happened so quickly! I didn’t know it was possible for so much to happen in just a matter of a few seconds. Recalling that moment from both the perspectives of Ryan and myself is quite funny.
Our very first instinct was, “OH NO!” – my jaws dropped and I could tell that I had a look of pure shock on my face. We both pretty instantly backed up and tried running out of there.
Within those few seconds, we were so confused and didn’t know what to do. We both absolutely sure that we had just completely ruined a surprise party for someone’s birthday or some other big event, and one of my first thoughts was that I felt so horrible because these people were going to have to do it all over again when the guest of honor arrived!
We seriously couldn’t get out of the room fast enough! We had a crowd of Jessie, Jason, Bryan and Karly standing behind us, holding the door open, and they didn’t seem to get the drift that we needed to MOVE! Then, with myself still having that look of complete shock on my face (you know – eyes about to pop out of my head and my jaw down to the floor), I finally took a good look around the room FULL of people.
I picked out a few familiar, yet very out-of-place faces in the crowd. One by one, I started picking a few people out that I recognized. I noticed one of my best friends who I haven’t seen in YEARS (Ky’Lee!), and then I noticed a cousin who lives far away that I don’t see very often (Marv!), and then another of my best friends (Liz!). And then, there was Ryan’s family! Thank God, THEY WERE OKAY! In fact, oddly enough, they made it to the church before we even told them to meet us there.
And then, again, I just kind of stood there – frozen! Within these 30 seconds of complete CRAZY, it finally dawned on me; we weren’t at the wrong place at the wrong time. This was a surprise party for US!
Wait a minute, WHAT?! What are these people thinking?! Why are they here?! I’m seeing all of these faces that I haven’t seen in way too long and I know that they must have driven from hundreds of miles away – why did they drive all this way?!
What were they THINKING?!
And then, after a few more seconds of disarray, I calmed
down. Instead of worrying about how far these people must have had to drive
just to see us, I realized something pretty special and profound:
These people came all this way to throw a surprise party for us, to say their goodbyes, because they LOVE us.
I didn’t need to feel guilty because I realized that I hadn’t invited them; I hadn’t made them feel obligated to come. In fact, that is quite far from the truth! In fact, I had NO IDEA these people were coming! Oh my – God knows that I sincerely thought we were coming to NorthRidge to play PING PONG! (I mean seriously - I would have, at the very LEAST, not worn jeans and white socks with black sandals!)
They came because they love us.
They came to let us know that we are important to them and that they are going to miss us.
And after I realized all of that, you can just imagine…. I got just a *little bit* emotional!
After those moments of complete shock and confusion, I found myself feeling so BLESSED and so THANKFUL. I was overwhelmed at the thought of how much love was surrounding us in that moment, and all I could think to do was just go around the room and hug everyone and thank them for being there, thank them for being people who have made such a huge impact on our lives.
It was amazing. Extraordinary. Humbling. Exciting.
These people came all this way to throw a surprise party for us, to say their goodbyes, because they LOVE us.
I didn’t need to feel guilty because I realized that I hadn’t invited them; I hadn’t made them feel obligated to come. In fact, that is quite far from the truth! In fact, I had NO IDEA these people were coming! Oh my – God knows that I sincerely thought we were coming to NorthRidge to play PING PONG! (I mean seriously - I would have, at the very LEAST, not worn jeans and white socks with black sandals!)
They came because they love us.
They came to let us know that we are important to them and that they are going to miss us.
And after I realized all of that, you can just imagine…. I got just a *little bit* emotional!
After those moments of complete shock and confusion, I found myself feeling so BLESSED and so THANKFUL. I was overwhelmed at the thought of how much love was surrounding us in that moment, and all I could think to do was just go around the room and hug everyone and thank them for being there, thank them for being people who have made such a huge impact on our lives.
It was amazing. Extraordinary. Humbling. Exciting.
In those moments, I realized the importance of knowing just
how many people truly support us. In those moments, I realized how much love
surrounds us and how many people there are that we care so much about.
Inevitably, I cried. How
could I possibly hold those tears back? At such an emotional time with this
big transition in our lives, I was crying tears of pure joy and happiness, as
well as tears of sadness. Inside of this enormous room, I was able to clearly
see just how much we are leaving behind.
However, I truly saw much more than just how much we are leaving behind. I also saw how much support we have behind us in this exciting, scary journey.
However, I truly saw much more than just how much we are leaving behind. I also saw how much support we have behind us in this exciting, scary journey.
That evening, I felt so intensely the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was undeniable that this room full of God-loving people was completely filled with the Spirit.
I know the words don’t do any justice, but I am just so
incredibly thankful for that evening. I’m so thankful for everyone who came,
and for everyone who did all the hard work to prepare for such a beautiful
party. I’m so blessed to have such thoughtful, caring friends.
I’m so blessed by Jessie and Karly – who were the masterminds behind all of this. Those girls worked so diligently to plan the entire party and they definitely struggled to have to keep it all a secret! (Which, by the way, I am SO impressed that everyone was able to keep it a secret from Ryan and me! You guys are so sneaky!:) Not to mention, HAD I known about even an inkling of this plan, they surely knew that I would veto it in a second because I wouldn’t want to feel like coming to say goodbye to us was some sort of burden that people had to do.
Which is why the entire surprise party was so humbling for me. I knew that every single person that was there chose to be there simply because they love us. An area in my life where I seem to allow Satan to continually creep in is when he tells me that I’m not good enough, or I don’t deserve this; I’m not worthy.
But, I am a child of God. And perhaps in these finals moments of “goodbyes,” God knew how much I needed to be reassured of the love that really does surround me (and Ryan). God is clearly aware of my needs, and he used my closest friends and family to give me that reassurance that we are not in this alone.
I’m so blessed by Jessie and Karly – who were the masterminds behind all of this. Those girls worked so diligently to plan the entire party and they definitely struggled to have to keep it all a secret! (Which, by the way, I am SO impressed that everyone was able to keep it a secret from Ryan and me! You guys are so sneaky!:) Not to mention, HAD I known about even an inkling of this plan, they surely knew that I would veto it in a second because I wouldn’t want to feel like coming to say goodbye to us was some sort of burden that people had to do.
Which is why the entire surprise party was so humbling for me. I knew that every single person that was there chose to be there simply because they love us. An area in my life where I seem to allow Satan to continually creep in is when he tells me that I’m not good enough, or I don’t deserve this; I’m not worthy.
But, I am a child of God. And perhaps in these finals moments of “goodbyes,” God knew how much I needed to be reassured of the love that really does surround me (and Ryan). God is clearly aware of my needs, and he used my closest friends and family to give me that reassurance that we are not in this alone.
Jessie and Karly
It was an unforgettable evening that I continue to replay in my mind, smiling over and over again about all the memories made.
Thank you, to everyone who came and to everyone who wanted to be there but wasn’t able to make it. We love you all so dearly and you all are by far the hardest to leave behind.
Ky'Lee, Karly and Bailey
Karly
Duane and Amanda
Ryan's family: Todd, Pam, Cheyanne and Chelsey
Jessie, Jason, Macey and Kaden
You all continue to bless our lives each day, and we love you so much.
