There was the time in high school when it poured down rain on October 31 and my friend and I realized we left something important at my parent's house right before FX was supposed to begin. We tore down the street in his car and in all of our powerfully astute high school wisdom decided to pull into the backyard right up to the back door (instead of taking the driveway to the front door). Everything was fine and dandy until we tried to pull out of the grass and were stuck in mud for two hours. We eventually escaped, but my parents' yard was demolished. It still bears the scars.
I also remember the pride with which I worked my booth, the Candy Dive, for three straight years. Our banner was a piece of art each FX. Oh, the time and effort we poured into that thing. We painted hills and valleys and a beautiful crystal mountain lake (that's where the diving part came in) complete with a gorgeous sunset. There were birds and other wild animals living in peace in our landscape and occasionally devouring each other to depict the harsh reality of the Circle of Life. We chose our colors carefully and took forever. I think Pastor Chuck had to turn the lights off on us. It was perfect.
Like I said, lots of good memories! And it's that time of year to make some more memories as our annual FX makes its appearance this Saturday! In FX's honor I've compiled a (random) Top 10 List of Reasons Why You Should Come to FX and Bring Your Neighbors Too.
- Red (of Red Robin fame) will be there with his/her Freckled Lemonade. (I don't know about your kids, but when mine see those sugary strawberries they immediately start to drool)
- If you didn't get enough fried food at the NC State Fair there will be fried food galore including an assortment of candy bars.
- The Costumes: It's so entertaining to see all of the costumes and witness everyone's imaginations at work. True Story: I was in College, extremely foolish, and taking weight lifting for credit only. This all led to me making the worst FX costuming decision in history. I had a loincloth/caveman skin that I used for a Young Life skit. I decided I would re-purpose it to wear for FX and be John the Baptist. Let's just say that I'm glad no photos have survived to document the debacle that ensued. I won't go into the sordid details, but there were probably many in the church who recommended to Phil that I immediately come under Church Discipline for the offense of baring too much skin. There was a lot of Nathan leg showing that night.
- Horse Riding. Every kid's dream come true.
- There will be a Comedian/Entertainer sharing the Gospel. Mark Lippard is amazing. Let's face it, you can share the Gospel with your neighbors a thousand times, and sometimes what they need is to hear it in a new way; in a fresh way. This might just be that opportunity! He'll be doing one show at 7:00 PM in the Worship Center and you don't want to miss this opportunity!
- The Maze: Made with Cardboard and crafted with precision, the Maze is an architectural feat that would make Howard Roark stop in his tracks in amazement. Parents, beware. If you enter the Maze you might not come out. Because you're stuck in one of the turns.
- Raggedy Ann and Andy: They are literally a FX institution and have appeared every year for the past forty years at least. If you see them, take your picture with them, because one day it will be valuable. I am also not at liberty to reveal their true identities.
- The Climbing Tower: Located in the Upper Parking Lot, the Climbing Tower stretches into the heavens and sways there, beckoning the brave and fearless. Last year, as I watched my three year old nephew effortlessly scale its walls, I kept reassuring myself as I dizzily watched: "Nathan, you have a family now and have too much to lose. It's okay if you're completely intimidated by the Climbing Tower."
- The Cake Walk: I don't know about you, but I have literally never won anything. That's not just hyperbole. Even if I came to a meeting with three other people and there were two door prizes, I would not win. But one day, one day very soon, I will win a cake from the Cake Walk!
- Community is a beautiful thing. If you want to see the Body of Christ come together and put together something special for our friends and neighbors, come to FX. It is amazing to see people come together to make this thing happen for the Glory of God!
