This week’s FFF edition majors on events and experiences from our family. Let’s start with an amazing discovery in my own life. Thirty-plus years ago I served as a collegiate summer missionary in 1977 with a group of fifteen students at the Agape-In at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Four of us–Larry, Hannah, Dottie Lou and I–reconnected this week via Facebook. It has been a sweet “reunion” celebrating the memories, the ministry and the relationships of that year. The picture below shows our group, minus one (Billy Redford); I’m third from the left (don’t recognize me, do you? skinny, blond, no facial hair…doesn’t even look like the same person! lol).
Agape-In staff, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire 1977
We’re trying to find the rest of the gang, too. So, if you know any of the gang listed below (in the picture from left to right), help us find them by directing them to this site or my FB page found in the right margin of this page. Boldface indicates the ones who’ve reconnected and for the rest I’ve listed where they were living when they served with us in 1977.
- Michael Hogue, Arkansas
- Annette Nielsen, Connecticut
- (me)
- Charlie Westbrook, Oklahoma
- Vern Eleazer, New York
- Barry Morris, Delaware (in back)
- Dottie Lou Crisp (in front)
- Christy Glenn, Tennessee
- David Purifoy, Arkansas
- Keith Young, Tennessee
- Larry Beasley (kneeling)
- Hannah McConnell Gillenwater
- Valerie Brewer, Mississippi
- Debbie Johnson, Maryland
- Billy Redford (not pictured), Georgia
On Sunday my family and I also visited the HonFest in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore. Hampden you may know for a couple of reasons: the unique Christmas celebration (their own Miracle on 34th Street) and the inspiration it gave for the theater production/movie, Hairspray! a few years ago. The Honfest is an annual celebration of the
beehive hairdo, cat-eye glasses, and leopard-look clothes started many years ago in this most eclectic community in the city and it continues today in full force. While there is music, street shops and food galore, it’s really all about the costumes and hairdos.
Last Thursday my father and I also took in the LPGA golf championship at Bulle Rock golf course in Havre de 
Grace, Maryland. It was great fun: not too crowded, weather not too uncomfortable and the golf–wow! Those ladies can really hit the ball. We saw them all: Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Christie Kerr, Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis, Juli Inkster, Karri Webb. The tournament was eventually won by Anna Nordqvist of Sweden in this, its final year at Bulle Rock. I’m sorry to see it go, but it was a great day of memories for me and Dad. We enjoyed it immensely.
Finally, let me give a shout out to my brother Jeff, who turned 50 yesterday. We celebrated as a family last night and he and I were able to 
steal away for lunchtime together yesterday. My brother is a very talented and educated church musician, and is currently available for ministry in the church where God is leading Him. If you’re looking and think you’d like to know more, then send me a comment and I’ll forward you his resume. And to you, brother: thanks for your love and friendship over the years. I’m very grateful to our Lord that you–of all people on this planet–are my brother.
