The Christianville Spirit: PTLS Gathering 2011

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Sparks Your Heart

June 15, 2011- TCS # 254

So, You wouldn’t believe the excitement that happened this week. It was actually so exciting that I thought again about writing this newsletter a couple days earlier. But, I decided to stay on routine. You See, This past week was what I call “PLTS Week” or also known as the Annual PTLS Gathering. I call it “PTLS Week” because last year’s PTLS Gathering in Atlanta (even though the PTLS Family came for a Weekend) we stayed in Atlanta for a week. In this case, it took a week to get to Atlanta, get to the “Host City” of this year’s PTLS Gathering, back to Atlanta, and then back home. But, there were good things to come out of the drive like on the way to Raleigh, NC (The Host City) I made a list of Places that I had to go see which was including the first trying of North Carolinian Barbecue and Welcome Centers of the 2 New States of North and South Carolina that we had to travel through of the 6 States we drove through. Anyway, about the BBQ; being born and raised in Texas, you have Texas BBQ and ONLY Texas BBQ but, I decided to go against that rule so, I could try a different BBQ which was from Pork instead of Beef like Texas. Little did I know that the North Carolinians like their BBQ in different ways, like in Eastern NC, they like a Vinegar-based sauce and Western NC likes a Tomato-based sauce. Anyway, back to the PTLS Gathering; it was really awesome to talking to all the my PTLS Family Members and give all the parents hope. On the First day of The PTLS Gathering we hung out at the Hotel Pool which was really nice and we had a Pool Party. On Saturday was the biggest event; You See, the hosts of this, My PTLS Aunt Beth(Mrs. Griffin) and PTLS Uncle Tim(Mr. Griffin) got together with their church’s youth group and had a really organized events schedule. For example, they had a time to talk with The Moms and The Dads. As for the Kids, they had, what they called a “Monstrosity” which was a Bounce House, connected to an Obstacle Course, connected to a Slide. We all had Lunch and Dinner paid for by The Church for both The Kids and The Parents. The Parents however went out to Dinner away from the kids so that they could talk. Then, came to one of the many amazing moments of this trip. On Sunday Morning, the last day of the PTLS Weekend, we had breakfast with The Mueths and The Belts. Their PTLS daughter Madelyn who is normally quiet, talked to us and made us laugh the entire breakfast. Following that, My Mom, Grandma Honey, and I walked to pool expecting maybe one or two people and we’d say goodbye, then, leave...but, little did we know that Everyone was there. When I saw that, I immediately thought of the last episode of Boy Meets World (SPOILER ALERT) where Mr. Feeny(The mentor of the characters of the show) walks in the classroom and sees the kids of the show right before they go into The Real World. Then, the moment came when I said Good Morning to everyone; I swear to you, if there were Subtitles in Life it would say either ”ALL: Good Morning Christian” or “ALL: Hey, Christian!”. It was so awesome! So, after about 2 Hours, unknown to me, we all said goodbye. Now, of course this didn’t come without tears from everyone including parents and yes, even myself; However, mine came after we left. Now, the reason was just being touched by how well known I am to This Family and Loved by This Family. but, it was more the fact, I realized just how important I am to The PTLS Family. It’s just one of the moments in life where you realize how important you are. Now, as I tell my PTLS Aunts and Uncles, We may not be blood but, we are Family. Because if we’re not Family, then we’re just people or strangers who hang out with each other. Now, for those who think we are strangers, we are actually a Family and I wouldn’t like it any other way. Now, as far as the trip going back, on a lighter note here is that I saw The World’s Largest Chair in Thomasville, NC and The Giant Peach Water in Gafney, SC. All in all here, This was a Beyond Awesome Trip and yes, I declare myself a Travel Geek.

Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. We are Family. All My Aunts, Uncles, Cousins with Me!