End of Forward

It was another long day, and another good one.  Forward Reimagined II ended tonight in a spectacular way.  Maddie loved it, and really, really wants to go again next year.  There were more sessions today, and more rides, and more food, and more of everything.  Of note:  I had tacos from a taco truck today, so that's off my bucket list.  We'll have lots of taco references in tomorrow's skits too, of course.

Maddie was content with the Chick-Fil-A, which was good, and the Kona Ice as well.  She brought some of her money, and she's been looking through the merchandise, but primarily getting food from outside!  Also, she was out there on the inflatables, jousting away with a friend again, and just hanging out with everyone quite a bit today.  And there were squirt guns too.  War between the tribes!

But there were three sessions throughout the day, so a lot to see and hear each service - the usual crazy games, the incredible worship, and the fantastic Forward messages too.  It was a very full day, and once more, we're feeling that exhaustion that comes from these things, from getting up super early and going to bed pretty late, and just going full speed throughout the day. 

Here's Maddie dropping by downstairs with Camille to visit our friend Jade who was watching the staff and volunteer's kids in the nursery.

Throughout the day, Maddie was right in the middle of all of Forward today an absolutely loving it.  She had such a great time, and as a parent, there's no better feeling than knowing she's in the middle of all these great praise and worship sets, and listening to speakers like Reggie Dabbs and Pastor Franklin.  The atmosphere has been wonderful.  Though I'm tired, I'm quite content with it all.  Just so wiped out!  Maddie is too.  We still have to get up early again tomorrow, but at least we can rest in the middle of the day.  It's still going to be fun though.  Just exhausting!

We were doing Forward at the Gainesville campus in 2005, and I was there.  I remember we were all praying for those in the path of Hurricane Katrina.  It was a huge crowd back then, a large amount of folks coming from all over.  It got so big that we went to the Gwinnett Arena after that.  We're going back there next year, and Madison has asked, "Please, please, please can I go?"  Of course you can, Maddie.  Duh?

We still made time to read tonight, and we prayed tonight as well.  After that, we were asleep very quickly.  It was a wonderful day, but quite an exhausting one!