"As I was thinking about what to say to the senior class at FUMC, I kept coming back to the fact that this group was fun-loving kids at heart. It took me back to a childhood of toys which led me to the movie Toy Story 3. In the movie, the character Andy is packing to go to college and he is deciding what to take with him. Many of you will go through a similar process of deciding what to keep, what to take and what to get rid of. I suspect some of you might have some of these things lying around: magic 8 ball,hot wheels, Lego's, barbie dolls, beanie babies,gigapets and more. In the movie Andy decides to get rid of everything but his doll and friend 'Woody'. What are your 'keepers'? A lot transpires in the middle of the movie, but after a long journey the toys find their way back together. Woody leaves a note for Andy and thinking it is from his mom, Andy follows her suggestion and gives all the toys(including Woody) to a little girl. He gives her these instructions 'now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you...ever. He will always be there for you, no matter what. Sounds an awful lot like your parents, an awful lot like the steadfast love of God, a lot like your church and those of us who work with you. There is a song in Toy Story 3 that says it better than I. Listen to the words. I want to lift out two lines. 'None of them will ever love you the way that I do' and 'as the years go by our friendships will never die'"
YouTube - Toy Story 3 - You've got A Friend In Me (Original) 1995 ~ 2010
"The memories we have made in our hearts as families,school,church family will last a lifetime. In a moment you will receive your blanket. This has become a tradition and a tangible way to wrap the friendships around you. If you have ever watched a baby lying on a mother's chest, you see her raise her little head rooting around. When she is able to suck her thumb and grab a corner of a blanket she becomes secure enough to lay her head down. Hopefully this blanket will make you secure whether you are in Raleigh, Wilmington, Greenville, Chapel Hill or Pennsylvania. I hope you know when you close your eyes at night, there are friends and family still thinking of you, wondering if you're okay and praying for you each and every day. And parents, the same is true for you. In all the excitement of the next two weeks, your children may forget to say I love you and thank you. And next year, they may not respond to your text immediately. But I know these young people and I can promise to you for them when they lay their head down at night, they will be thinking of you, wondering if you're okay and praying for you too. Thank you for the gift you have given to me in each of your child-like spirits. You have a friend in me, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
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