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After gathering at the bus, we prayed and boarded the bus for a day of fun after a week of focused ministry and singing. After giving out our lunch money envelopes and a few instructions about staying together in groups of at least four, we split up to explore Dollywood.

The students were sent away with the reminder that they were NOT to scream on roller coasters. We actually rehearsed ways to expel the excitement without screaming. Their voices belong to the choir until after we sing on Sunday morning at home.

We ran into our group all day. Rick Roe actually ran into someone who lived on his street in Easley when he was a boy. Dollywood is a fun, family friendly park which provides plenty of shady spots and places to rest after a long week on the road.

We met back at 3:45 for a group photo at the front gate. We boarded the bus and drove out of the park at 4:00 p.m., headed for Easley. One stop in Asheville for supper at the only Chick-fil-a that we had all week long, insured that we would bring the kids home with a full stomach. We arrived in Easley about 8:35 (20 minutes behind schedule).

As we entered Travelers Rest, we began a tradition that we’ve had for the past several years: we began to bless our seniors. Several of the choir members expressed their gratitude for the friendship and leadership they have provided through the years. There were some tears shed and plenty of hugs. The seniors then took their turn sharing some thanks, wisdom, and challenge for those stepping into leadership roles next year.

It was good to see the welcoming crowd when we pulled into the parking. We followed the pattern we have followed all week long: we unloaded the equipment, began setting up for the worship service on Sunday morning, and cleaning the bus.

Once all of this was completed, we unloaded the luggage bays on the bus and said our farewells until the next morning when we would present This Changes Everything one last time – for our own church family!