October 14 – “Reunion”

We started this week’s “day off” by delivering some donated gift cards to the Wyrick family.  Not that they personally needed them, though.  They have taken on several big hurricane relief projects helping out two Muslim families and some others in the Dickinson area.   The cards will help them with sheetrock and other supplies as they begin to enter that phase of the rebuilding process.  Pretty proud of that family.

Speaking of gift cards, I went by the church’s bank to see what their recommendation was concerning getting some more gift cards to distribute.  They had a really easy process in place and even said they would waive a good portion of the fee.  I’ll get by there probably early next week to get that taken care of.  Thanks, Texas First Bank.  Great to have another Harvey Relief partner. 

While we were out we stopped at Randall’s.  I’ve been getting those reminder phone calls about a prescription being ready.  Come to find out there were two.  One I did know about, but it wasn’t supposed to kick in until the end of the month.  The other was for a drug the neck doc mentioned in passing before he nixed it.  When he found out I could make the pain and tingling happen on command (well, on positioning of my head), he knew that drug would be inappropriate.  We didn’t take it.  We did find some coffee on sale there, though.  Sumatra.  So far it’s the only kind that both of us can agree on wholeheartedly.  Good stuff.

Last night we went to the “camp reunion” party for the ones who went on the Moses Trip.  Yes, I know.  It was just a week ago.  Kinda quick for a reunion.  But, hey, everyone was able to be there.  Cathy and Lauren put together a great camp awards presentation.  Everyone received an award of some kind, tailored to the specific contribution each made to our trip experience.  Let me see how many I can remember.  

Lauren got a “Julie the Cruise Director” flag to carry on our next trip so we can find, and presumably follow, her in a crowd.  

Cathy was recognized as the behind the scenes planner and received the Best Mom Ever award.  

Jennifer’s uncanny ability to sleep – anywhere – will certainly be helped along by her gift, a sleep mask.  

Dianne, who led us in worship songs each morning, received a karaoke microphone so we could hear her better.  

Navigator Bryan, who stayed awake and recharged everyone’s cell phones in the van, received a coffee cup and a toy cell phone that is in constant need of charging.  

For Bob it was a tiny globe, so he can find all the friends he makes from everywhere by telling them that he and God love them and there’s not a thing they can do about it.  

Sam, who smoked us all in the trivia game coming home, received the Useless Knowledge Award and a book of such random information that will make her even more untouchable on our next excursion.   

The next two of our number I couldn’t remember for sure.  

Now Amber’s I’m sure must have had something to do with her newfound love of all things zip-lining.  Or not.  

And Suzann’s probably had something to do with that slick way she had of talking us into doing things, like zip lining and riding the rapids.  

Even Ed, who couldn’t make the trip, was honored for letting us use his trailer.  

Our superstar Bill received some Hollywood sunglasses and his very own kitty cat apron to forever memorialize his riverboat moment in the spotlight.  

Chris got the High Flying Eagle Award.  Something about the sounds she made on the zip line, I think.  Naw, it was more about how inspirational she is to everyone around her. She got a tiny little loving cup with an eagle on it and a very nice plaque with the Bible verse on Mounting up with wings as eagles.  

I received an award and accompanying gifts as well.  A king sized PayDay (peanut caramel bar).  A bag of peanuts.  And a tiny little loving cup with musical notes on it and a ginormous acorn inside it.  I can’t figure out the significance of my presentation.  What could all those things possibly have to do with my contribution to our trip?  I really didn’t do much of anything except maybe sing a certain little happy ditty wake up song every morning.  Oh, and there was that time I was overcome with emotion and frolicked in the field behind our house in the mountains singing “the hills are alive with the sound of music.”  Sigh.  It’s nice to have friends who love me.  And appreciate my music.

1 John 3:17-18 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

Father, thank you for the Wyrick’s dedication to serve people in your name.  And thank you for the laughter and hugs of friends.  Amen.