What an incredible time we had this past Monday at our annual Memorial Day church picnic at Martin Tudor Park. Hundreds of people from  Inland Lighthouse Church gathered together for a full day of food, laughter, games, and fellowship. Even though we ended up in a slightly different spot than usual this year, the feeling was exactly the same. Families spread out across the park with barbecues smoking, tables full of food, lawn chairs everywhere, and conversations happening in every direction.

The baseball diamonds stayed busy for hours with softball games going nonstop. The young and energetic played. The older and energetic played. The rest of us, the author included, mostly sat nearby offering commentary, encouragement, and motivational heckling from the sidelines. Volleyball games broke out, kids ran everywhere, and somehow there always seemed to be somebody carrying a plate piled dangerously high with food.

The children absolutely loved it. By the end of the day they were covered in dirt, rolling down hills, digging holes, chasing each other across the grass, and doing exactly the kinds of things kids are supposed to do at a park. Meanwhile, all around the grounds, people connected, caught up with old friends, shared stories, laughed together, and simply enjoyed spending time with one another.

A special thank you goes to Bro. Kenny Lorenz for once again reserving the park and helping make this yearly tradition possible. Thank you as well to Logan Booker for gathering all of the athletic equipment together and helping keep the games going throughout the day. And thank you to everyone who brought food, helped set up, organized games, grilled, cleaned up, or simply came and made the day what it was.

It really was a wonderful time together, and we are already looking forward to next year. Same time. Same place.