It started with an e-mail from Briana.  In part, it said:

“I have made the best friends at Campus Ministry which is so awesome here. I went to the Sunday worship service with my friends Erin and Shae (a boy) from EK and we met some cool people and made some friends. Erin and I even joined a small group already which is meeting tonight and I am so excited for that.  After the “Campus Praise Rally” (CPR) Monday night a few of us sat on the lawn outside the building and told each other our stories about why we believe in God and how he’s worked in our lives.  We were trying to look at the stars but there are so many lights on campus it’s hard to see anything! I thought of how I used to come stay at your house and you would show me the stars and so I was wondering if a group of us could come and camp out in the yard one weekend or something? Just a fun thing we could do together as a group and not have to pay or worry about that sort of thing. And I would like you to meet (some of) my new friends!”

In a few hours we had scheduled a Friday night sleep over.  We didn’t tell Midnight so that we could surprise him.

Midnight was surprised when Briana arrived on Friday.  He was glad to see her.

He especially liked Shae.  They had a great time rough housing together.  Shae didn’t mind that Midnight went after Shae’s hands with his teeth.  (He doesn’t bite very hard.  No, really he doesn’t.)

A little later, Emma, Erin and Alex arrived with a little navigation help on the phone.  Sylvia had made pizzas and soon we were enjoying them.  After eating and clean up chores were complete, Sylvia and I went into the office to spend some time online while Briana and company settled into the family room.  They were fairly quiet.  Once in a while we would hear some laughter.

Star gazing plans had to go on hold.  The weather did not cooperate.  The sky was blanketed with clouds and rain fell as we enjoyed Sylvia’s home made pizzas.  The tent was never set up.

Before going to bed, I set up the TV so the young folk could watch a movie.  They did, at least I heard a little bit of it before falling asleep.

The GVSU students “camped out” on the family room floor in front of the TV set.  After the movie, Briana and Erin went out to the cars to get something.  By then, it was around 1 AM and Briana said the skies were clear and they were able to see millions of stars.  (It’s nice to live in the country.)

Saturday morning was a time for sleeping in.  Eventually the sound of somebody moving signaled it was time to get around.  Sylvia was fixing her breakfast.  The young folks were trying to get a bit more sleep.

After a tiny bit of breakfast, Midnight’s visitors left to enjoy the rest of the Labor Day weekend.  Alex said goodbye with tears in his eyes and his nose was stuffed up.  It wasn’t emotion–he is allergic to cats.  I’m sorry Alex.  Midnight hopes you are well.

Too soon, Briana and her friends were gone and Midnight was left with the boring oldsters that inhabit his world.  He didn’t seem to mind as he curled up in my lap and slept as much as he could.  It had been a fun but tiring adventure for Midnight and his new friends.