June 30 – “Back home: Day One”

Nope.  No song lyrics today.  Camp is over.  Sort of.  Well, we still had some chores related to children’s camp yesterday.  For one thing, we had to empty out the suitcases and release the dirty clothes.  I had to spend a few hours wading through the paperwork so I could get it all filed properly.  Some went into my camp file and some goes to the financial secretary to close out that end of things.  I also had to type up the “I’m a Nut at Kids Camp 2019” song so I can give a copy to each kid when I see them again.  I know two of them are heading to Girl Scout camp, so it may be a while for them.  Sierra is one of the scout camp goers.  She wanted me to sing the entire song at church today before she realized she wouldn’t be there.  Then she switched to encouraging me to record it.  Sweet girl. 

Our second big camp-related task was to get the suburban we rented back to the rental place.  That is in South Houston, so it’s definitely a trip.  I came to a stopping place around lunch time, so we grabbed a bite to eat and headed out.  I drove the suburban and Chris followed.  There was less traffic than we anticipated, so the drive up there was relatively uneventful.  Well, except for the near-miss Chris told me she had.  A truck was determined to get to the freeway, so he apparently closed his eyes and gunned it.  Everyone managed to avoid him, but it was a close one.  All was well with the return, so we headed back to town.  Our intention was to swing by and see Mrs. Betty in the rehab facility she is staying in.  However, as we traveled down Highway 3, a major thunderstorm erupted.  Rain was pouring down so hard we couldn’t drive over 30 miles per hour.  Then the hail made its appearance.  We checked the radar and it looked like this one was here to stay for a long while, so we decided to creep on home.  Didn’t even make our required return home stop at WalMart.  That may happen today.  We are pretty low on supplies around here.  I also couldn’t mow the grass.  (Read here, “finger snap” and sarcastic shake of the head). 

We finished out the day with a dinner of salad topped with leftover chicken strips from our camp trip Whataburger stop.  Oh, and an Astros game on TV.  Welcome home …

Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Father, thank you for your protection out in that stormy weather yesterday.  It is good to be home.  Amen.

June 29 - “Kids Camp 2019: The Road Home”

Red Team won the spirit prize
R-O-J-O was the rise
Celebration closed the gap
The we left to “The Church Clap”
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

We reached Waco before noon
Bye to friends and “see ya soon”
Lexie one more tooth did drop
What a burger our next stop
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Giggles, laughs, and travel games
Trips with girls just aren’t the same
Coc’nut lotion smelled the air
Lexi slept without a care
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Emmy tried real hard all week
Tricky UGA she did seek
Here on Friday it’s her time
Being helpful, that’s so fine
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Final stop at Buc-ees land
Use the potty while you can
What will Houston traffic hold?
Mama Chris will drive so bold
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

With the rain came thoughts of gloom
“I just want to go back home” (Cailyn)
“No, I want to camp to go” (Lexi)
“I just want my phone, you know” (Lex)
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

As we crept through Houston town
Rain and thunder tumbled down
We saw quite the lightning show
But God’s with us, that we know
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Almost home we had to stop
Bathroom crisis rose to top
Dickinson, it filled the bill
Can’t have our girls feeling ill
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Now that camp is fin’lly done
And we’ve gorged ourselves on fun
We learned Jesus stands so tall
Makes, pursues, and died for all
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a ...
Wait!  There’s one more!

See what great love the Father has
Lavished on us, that we should
Be called children of God. And
That is what we are (1 John 3:1)
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut ...

Who is ALSO a child of GOD!

Proverbs 2:8 says, “For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”

Father, thank you for this past week of Bible study and worship and swimming and blobbing and all manner of zaniness.  Please us it to draw our kids close to you.  Amen.

June 28 - “Kids’ Camp: A Finale”

Sierra’s way to start the day
Helped win UGA? Yes, I’ll say!
She chose toilet cleaning chore
And each day she’s back for more
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Speaking of those daily chores
And of coming back for more
Cailyn won her UGA fame
With three chores under her name
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

We’re they listening to my words?
I have evidence they heard
From a story of my past
I got pixie stix at last
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Final Bible study time
Learn to serve God was the rhyme
Pulled a trick out of my hat
Visual Verse - imagine that!
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Zip line challenge came today
Many choices can be made
Emmy’s waiting ‘til next year
Lexie got to top, no fear!
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Sierra and Cailyn slid right down
As did Lex, champs of our town
All encouraged everyone
‘Til the task was good and done
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Final worship showed us how
We each have a purpose now
Then to rec point we all went
Ate some bullet pops they sent
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Then the last night of our camp
Though it was a little damp
Fireworks out by the lake
So close by the ground did shake!
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is see, but on what is unseen ...”

Father, thank you for the tidbits of grace our girls have recognized this week.  Help those seeds really grow and blossom in their lives.  Amen.

June 27 - “Kids’ Camp: Day the Fourth”

Seven fifteen wake-up time

Waffle breakfast, that was fine

Quiet time, just God and me

PK taught God chases, see?

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

One more crisis, oh, why not?

Mys’try stinger Cailyn got

Rushed her to the medical stand

Helped her there now she is grand.

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Red Team one all our rec games

Worked together, helped green team

Arch’ry tag was guys’ next call

I learned rules to GaGa Ball

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Late at night we had a treat

Watermelon was so sweet

Volleyball with “wet” balloons

Other games had us wet soon

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Worship saw the preacher man 

Talk about the gospel plan

Songs with motions and words great

God loves us, so don’t we rate?

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Father, as we enter camp’s last full day, would you once again touch The hearts of some little girls who are very special to you and to Seaside?  Amen.

June 26 - “Kids’ Camp 2019: Day Three”

Left again at eight-thirty
Christi fed us muffins - whee!
New bus driver drove by twice
Must need breakfast, too - that’s nice
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut

On the way we saw downed trees
Camp looked great though, if you please
Drove on in, got all doomed up
Here all’s well with no hiccup
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut

Lex and Cailyn jumped the blob
Sierra and Lexi too, hob-blobbed
Emmy swam top heart’s content
Mama Chris with camera went
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut

PK taught Bible study
In God’s image he created we
Our camp pastor taught us more
And the singing we adored
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut

We had special nighttime swim
Saw Lex flip when she went in
Claire she hung out with our team
One more Seaside She Shell queen
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Father, please touch the hearts of our girls.  Help them as they learn the simplest things like using the Bible and some stories of your love and power.  Draw them close to your heart.  Amen

June 25 - “Kids Camp 2019: Plan B”

Night in Waco was, well, loud
Thunder, lightning, rain, oh, wow
Little did we know right then
That our camp might not open!
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Met the big bus at the church
Our girls found themselves a perch
Out of Waco twenty miles
Message came - we did not smile
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

All the storms of night before
Knocked out trees and lights galore
Town of GlenRose in the dark
Back to Waco now we’ll park
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Watching weather for Plan B
Glad these girls are sweet to me
Cailyn, Lexis - Sierra, Lexi
Joined as twins - a sight to see
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Back into the car we piled
Secret journey to the wild
Where we going?  No one knew
Ended up right at the zoo
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Fav’rite place about this ride
Was the goofy otter slide
Caleb, Owen joined us there
PK even took the dare
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

What held both boys full spellbound?
Babe orangutan they found
Camouflage game (hide and seek)
Turkey with our kids did speak
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Back to Vaughan’s house then we came
For some indoors playing games
Connect 4 with AnnaGrace
Emmy and MamaChris joined that race
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

We got word around ‘bout five
Power’s back, the camp’s alive!
Heading out tomorrow morn
First some dinner - more popcorn?
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Emmy’s razor skirting queen
Lexi’s tooth is gone, it seems
Hey, Sierra, what’s the deal?
You and Zak enjoy your meal?
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

After dinner still keyed up
To the park to see what’s up
Fam’ly worship closed the day
Camp Plan B’s a wrap, I’d say
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Matthew 3:8 says, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”

Father, thank you for helping the girls maintain a positive spirit during our Plan B day.  Please protect us as we actually enter the camp.  And please be with the people of GlenRose.  Amen.

June 24 - “Kids’ Camp: The Journey”

For those of you who don’t know, I am an aspiring poet and song writer.  I sometimes borrow the tune ... well, I always borrow the tune ... the same tune.  So here’s the saga of Kids’ Camp 2019.  It will continue, internet capabilities or not.  You may have to wait a week to see its conclusion.

I’m an acorn, small and round
Lying on the cold, hard ground
Everyone walks over me
That is why I’m cracked, you see?
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Called myself on the telephone,
Just to see if I was home
Asked me out for a little date
Picked me up about half past eight
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Took myself to the movie show
Stayed too late and said, “Let’s go”
Grabbed my hand and led me out
Walked me home and gave a shout
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Met up at the church at two
Stuffed that car with stuff, woohoo
Mister Bob for us he prayed
Moms and Dads to us did wave
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Down the road a minute or so
To Dollar General we did go
Just for ice, but these gals, oh
Wanted snacks already ... No!
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Oh, no! Crisis! What to do?
Cailyn’s mouthpiece, gone - who knew?
Twists and turns and upside down
Her retainer can’t be found
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Stopped to search near exit ten
Kids piled out to look again
There it is, I see it now
Moved the seat, it’s rescued ... wow
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

While the rescue took its time
I saw Lex’s UGA fine
Emmy’s candy fell to ground
Lex gave up her own, that’s sound
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

This was all scant miles from home
NOW we’re trav’ling - on the roam
Buc-ees was our next road stop
Out in front for photo op
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Lex and Lex were road game champs
“Are we there yet at the camp?”
One more crisis, oh so close
Potty break, “We gotta goes!”
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Now we fin’lly have arrived
Well, at Waco, with our five
Pastor Josh and his fam’ly
Hosted us with pizza, whee!
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

AnnaaGrace was happy, wow
For she had five sisters now
Fam’ly worship with their clan
Then to bed, sleep if you can
I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.

Genesis 15:6 says, “Abram believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Father, thank you for riding with us o n this first leg of what has already started out as quite the adventure.  Please ... stick around.  Amen.

June 23 – “Bowel Removal?”

We got up and about early yesterday.  We had to get to the Bolivar Peninsula … by ferry … on a Saturday … in the summer.  None of which are conducive to an easy experience.  Oh, the ferry ride is pleasurable, but not necessarily easy.  This time, however, our wait in line was not long at all.  Benefits of being early.  We were going to be a part of a wedding vows renewal for some old Arlington friends.  They had a beach house over in Crystal Beach. 

As we arrived we discovered that there was to be an actual wedding on tap right before the renewal.  The bride and groom’s daughter were set up to precede us.  They had an officiant who obviously had never done this sort of thing before.  He did fine for his first time, but his nervousness was painfully obvious.

When it was our turn we just stood up and started.  The best man and maid of honor from Steve and Susan’s wedding 40 years earlier were back for this one, too.  Now I have to share a little background at this point.  Several months ago when they asked me to officiate, I honestly thought they said “bowel removal.”  I couldn’t figure it out.  Dreaded hearing aid auto-correct.  My gaff became the object of every email since then, as we referred to the event as the Bowel Removal.  Lots of fun, right?  So I started the vow renewal by putting on a surgical mask and gown.  Susan got it right away.  She thought it was hilarious.  Memorable, at least.  Maybe we can do it again at their 80^th.

After joining them for some lunch we ferried back up and headed home.  This time the ferry wait was closer to an hour.  I had a pretty decent nap, anyway.  Once home we jumped right into getting things ready for children’s camp.  I’m still not sure I am ready, but today is Go Day – after church at around 2 p.m. Sadly, Cailyn and Lexie’s softball team lost their last game, but on a positive note, it means they will both be with us the whole way to camp. 

Oh … I understand internet is spotty at the campground, so there may or may not be any posts for the next week.  In any event, please pray for us.  I’m sure we can use it.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Father, would you please be with us this week?  Draw these five girls close to you.  Amen.

June 22 – “Thwarted”

After a great breakfast of bacon and eggs and biscuits and fruit, and a little more rehashing of Alaska meetings and reminiscing of the good old days, we finally headed back towards Galveston.  The plan was to stop at Woody’s Smokehouse for lunch on the way.  Little did we know that plan would be thwarted.  I love that word.  Not so much what it means, but the word is exciting to say.  Thwarted. 

As we approached the exit we noticed that an inordinate number of vehicles were also taking that ramp.  It was a moment of frantic decision.  Do we join the thundering hordes who were potential customers in line ahead of us?  Do we continue on and take our chances at the Buc-ees up the road?  I finally voted for continuing on.  Bad choice.  Within minutes we discovered just why the mass exodus.  Traffic was stopped and go for miles ahead.  We inched along until finally we saw the sign designating construction ahead.  Wonderful.  Pretty soon the more specific “Land ends merge left” sign appeared.  And of course we were in the right lane … behind an 18-wheeler.  We used his assistance to make the move just as we reached the construction zone … at which they were just picking up the last cone and calling it a day.  Of course they were. 

It took us a while.  We sat through a total of four or five traffic slowdowns, but we made it to our destination.  See, we had to be at the rental place by three o’clock to pick up the vehicle we were renting to take the kids to camp.  We pulled into the parking lot with two minutes to spare.  The vehicle we would head out with was one of only two or three in the entire parking lot.  Chevy Suburban.  Seats eight.  Think that will be enough room for me and Chris and five little girls?  We’ll see.  We stopped on the way home to fill it up with gas.  That’s one big gas tank.  I’m anxious to see what kind of gas guzzler it is.

We dropped off the suburban and went over to Nathan’s to let his dogs out for a while.  He called to let us know the girls had won their first game.  Later we found out they lost the second in a nail-biter, 5-3.  Pretty good for a trip to the state tournament.  They play more games today and probably tomorrow.  Go Galveston Her-icanes!

Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Father, please take care of all those little girls playing softball in the heat today.  Help them to have fun.  Amen.

June 21 - “Ready to travel ...”

Day two in Arlington was all about two things. First was the shopping trip.  We still needed some luggage for the big trip. We have two smaller suitcases that we use in our travels, but they are too little to pack things like a suit (not that I particularly want to pack a suit, but it is required.  Chris says so.  Sigh), and too big to be carry-on luggage for an airplane (American Airlines says so).  Our first stop was Kohl’s. No sooner had we buckled our seatbelts and settled in for the drive, and we were there.  It is just a few miles from their house.  Way too convenient, don’t you think?

We checked out their luggage. They had some nice things, but it was way out of our price range.  We did find one set that interested us.  Problem was, it looked like a dog had used it as a fire hydrant on the outside.  And one of the smaller cases still had someone’s luggage tag attached.  Gee ... I wonder if this was a return?  They didn’t have another in stock so we moved on.  It wasn’t a total loss, though.  Chris found some shoes she has been looking for.  I found a pair of shorts.  Cary even got some socks and underwear for himself.  But the absolute highlight of the trip - nay, of the entire day - was the find I made at the checkout counter.  A kids’ book about ... a moose.  Must be an omen ...

Next on the agenda was Target.  Well, Super Target. Way bigger than the one in Galveston, and they had quite the array of suitcases.  And guess what?  We found a set that worked perfectly for the required airline measurements.  It was still a little pricey, but within what I was expecting, so we pulled the trigger.  Chris tossed in some toothbrush cases and even a tiny little portable fan that charges through a USB port.  We’ll try that one out at camp next week.  Success number two.  So much so in fact that we headed back to the house for a celebratory sandwich and a nap.  Nice.

Supper was provided by the Winkle Arms Hotel staff.  Chicken dunked in something and baked with potatoes and beans on the side.  The potatoes were especially good.  Wayne and I helped in the preparation of said dish.  KayLynn even gave us each a relatively sharp knife to chop them up with.  The potatoes, not the Winkle’s. And the key topic of discussion around the table was ... moose.  Between us we came up with a pretty good start to another kids’ book.  Stay tuned ...

The actual reason for our trip was the final Alaska meeting.  We headed over right after dinner, hoping to get a front row seat.  We settled for the back row.  Close enough.  The meeting itself was interminably long.  Every one of the 50 or so people stood and introduced themselves.  Then we watched the same slideshow we have seen three times already.  She finally got around to the moment we had all come for ... the passing out of the travel documents.  Airline tickets, luggage tags, boarding passes and the like.  Quite the array of new stuff to digest.  After the meeting one old guy approached me and said he was looking forward to being on the trip with me around.  Apparently to him I seemed like the “kind of guy who was planning to have some fun.”  Well ... yep.

After the meeting we returned to the Winkle Arms for dessert.  The ladies sat at the table and made high level decisions regarding luggage packing and placement.  The guys meanwhile looked at pictures of the airplane interior to see if we would have enough leg room.  The jury is still out on that one.  It would seem that we are ready to travel ...

Psalms 113:3 says, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

Father, thank you for the successful shopping trip.  That eliminates yet another level of preparation stress for us.  And thanks for the friends we have to share this adventure with.  And for the new friends who appear excited to share it with us as well.  Amen.

June 20 - “On hands and feet”

We got started before 9 a.m. on our latest jaunt, a trip to Arlington for our last meeting with the other two couples who are going with us and with the tour director before our trip to Alaska.  This shifting gears from children’s camp to Alaska and back again is tiring.

We arrived in plenty of time to spend a few hours talking with Cary and KayLynn before heading over Wayne and Sheri’s for dinner.  At their house we had some kind of Mexican casserole dish, along with chips and cheese dip and salsa and salad and several kinds of dip of varying colors and consistencies. It was quite the spread.  And Wayne even sweetened the tea for us.  Can’t beat sweet tea, you know.  And after dinner he made us a unique kind of snow cone/ice cream thing that was really good.  Lots of different flavors available and everything.  Felt like we were at Bahama Bucks.

We had our big discussion about Alaska around the table.  The girls all had notebooks full of the results of their personal studies as well as questions to ask the tour guide at the second meeting tonight.  The guys were at the ready with extremely helpful hints and encouraging words ... as usual.  I thing we are prepped and ready for the big meeting tonight.  I’m not sure the tour guide is ready for us, though.

Once the business was all settled, our attention shifted to more important matters.  Hand and foot.  For those of you who are the uninitiated, hand and foot is a card game specifically designed to bring out the competitive juices in first-born children ... and adults.  The rules and regulations are much too difficult to attempt an explanation here.  Suffice it to say that we never really got around to keeping score.  I stayed blissfully ignorant for most of the competition- a rip-roaring, rabble-rousing affair of guys versus girls.  The bottom line is this ... of course, being the gentlemen that we are, we proved our dominance with a resounding victory in the first match.  Then we eased off and let the sweet ladies with the next few rounds.  Gotta keep those lovelies happy at all times, you know.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”

Father, thank you for old friends and new games and anticipation of joys to come.  Amen

June 19 – “A youth pastor flashback moment”

I had one of those youth pastor flashback moments yesterday.  Not a happy one, particularly.  Just a “sigh” kind of realization memory.  I worked all afternoon on a project for children’s camp.  I created a travel bingo game specifically geared to the route we will be taking between here and Waco.  It meant hours of online searching for just the right pictures, printing out said pictures, creating a blank Bingo card, gluing the pictures onto said card, and making copies of each card.  Of course each one had to be different from every other so the chances of a double winner would be less.  I even drew one of the pictures freehand on each card – the one entitled “PK Sleeping.”  Not that they would ever catch me sleeping on the road trip.  Let’s just say that self-portraits are not my specialty.  Anyway, I finally finished up everything right around 6 last night. 

So what was the “sigh” moment?  I remembered the many hours I put into similar activities when I was a youth pastor, only to find that the kids wouldn’t appreciate the work.  Oh, they may or may not have fun with it, or learn from it.  But appreciate it?  Nah.  Or maybe time or the situation at the event doesn’t even warrant using the activity so it gets scratched.  And as a minister – or perhaps as a schoolteacher from what I understand – that has to be OK.  The joy comes in seeing the face of that one kid who gets the first “Bingo” or completes the puzzle for the first time ever or better yet, who has an “Aha moment” about the application to real life. 

So, the Ministry ...Teaching.  Difficult life?  Oh, yes.  Satisfying life.  Absolutely. 

Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Father, be with these kiddos as they prepare for camp.  Raise their excitement level, and don’t let them be disappointed.  Amen.

June 18 – “Recharged …”

We had lots and lots of rain to start off the day.  It was great for Chris’ plants, and especially for the yard.  It immediately greened up and perked up.  Of course that can only mean one thing … mow time.  Soon.  Very soon.  I’ll get to it.

Christina was supposed to take Noa and Josiah to Schlitterbahn bright and early.  They won some kind of contest through the summer reading program at the library.  We were going to keep Ezra.  Postponed.

We had a problem with the minivan we borrowed for when Josh and his crew were here.  Let me hasten to say that it served us perfectly when they were here.  In fact we couldn’t have done anything without it.  But Sunday we were going to drive it to church in case the Eggler’s were back in town and needed it.  And it wouldn’t start.  Deader than a doornail.  I texted Nathan to see if he had a car charger.  He said he would be by later in the evening.  We decided that things would go an awful lot quicker if we would just push it into the street and jump it.  Nathan used his mighty Thor muscles to shove it all the way into the Geran’s driveway while I steered.  One connected to his truck’s battery it started right up.  I checked around and saw that one of the reading lights in the back of the car had been left on, probably by one of the kiddos.  We let it run for a while to recharge.  I’ll check it again today.  We’ll see …

Oh and when Nathan came by he brought Cailyn – always a treat, of course.  But they also brought me a Fathers’ Day gift.  I’m not sure what it’s called - maybe fish batterer?  It’s two plastic bowls snapped together top to top with a tray filled with holes in between.  The idea is to fill one bowl with batter, drop all your fish in there, shake it up real good, and then turn the contraption upside down.  All the excess batter falls through the hole, and you have a batch of fish ready to fry.  Very cool.  Can’t wait to try it out.  All I need now is a batch of fish.  And they also included a boxed set of the old Flash TV show.  Never got to watch all of those episodes.  Can’t wait to get started on those, either. 

Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Father, thank you for fish batterers and loaned cars and battery chargers.  But thank you more for the people and the thought behind them all.  Amen.

June 17 – “A Vaughan Family Fathers’ Day”

I received a great Father’s Day text from my youngest so to start the day.  Cailyn was playing in a softball tournament in Spring, so they were gone for the day.

We stopped to get donuts on the way to church as usual.  But something happened there that really surprised me.  I got the last of the glazed donuts.  In fact I had to mix one of our dozens with little baby cinnamon rolls and two sugary donuts.  The odd part was that they didn’t offer to make some fresh like they usually do.  They even told the lady behind me that they had no glazed … period.  Guess they were running way behind or something.

We had a really big day at church attendance-wise.  Seventy plus.  Lots of Daddy visitors.  One was a pastor and his family from Wyoming in town to celebrate his wife’s parents’ 50^th wedding anniversary.  There was another family from El Paso, along with the usual weekend crowd from Houston and its environs.  Jim had all the Littles come to the front and join the praise team in singing “This Little Light of Mine.”  After church a 70 year old guy stopped me to say he hasn’t sung that song in 60 years.  Sounds like a remarkably sweet memory, doesn’t it?  Well, he hastened to explain that he actually remembered the last time he sang the song 60 years before.  He was ten years old, and he remembered his Sunday School teacher’s name who led them in singing as they sat in those little wooden chairs.  Thanks for the memories, Jim.

My oldest son and his family were waiting for us at the house when we got home after dinner on the grounds.  They came over to watch the Astros game – er – I mean to spend Fathers’ Day with us.  The Astros didn’t have such a good game, but it was good to have the company.  We ended up grilling some burgers and hot dogs after the game.

Nathan called on his way home from the tournament.  Cailyn’s team lost their last game 8-7.  So close.  He said he wanted to at least say Happy Father’s Day and hear my voice.  He was not practicing being romantic or anything.  I’m pretty sure he was just making sure I’m not dead yet.  While I was talking to him I got a text from his lovely wife April wishing me a Happy Fathers’ Day as well.

My middle son called later in the afternoon before his own Fathers’ Day outing in the park.  Luke was ready to play some baseball, then soccer.  The older two were probably down for some basketball.  They were engrossed in basketball video game, so they could transfer the energy to real life.  AnnaGrace would be happy to be alive and around her Daddy.  It sounded like Josh had an active afternoon ahead.

Oh, I forgot to mention my Fathers’ Day gift from Noa.  She drew me a picture.  Pretty good, actually.  Stick figures of me and her.  Mine had a beard, of course.  We were standing next to a barn “on a farm,” as she informed me.  I could tell that right away because of the cow next to the barn (udders and all).  I also recognized the yellow straw strewn about the ground and the blue in the sky.  It has made its way to the friendly confines of the fridge door.  Well done, Noa. 

Luke 11:13 says, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Father, thank you for those three boys of mine who made me a Dad.  And for those kids of theirs who kept the legacy going.  Keep them all in your hands.  Amen.

June 16 – “No matter how old …”

We decided to pass on Cailyn’s softball game yesterday.  The fact that they were playing in Spring, about an hour and a half away, may have had something to do with our decision.  As it turned out, they did really well.  They won a couple of games, which kept advancing them in the tournament.  Sadly, however, the last games of the day were all rained out.  Rain.  We sure didn’t get any here on the Island.

So no softball meant I had no excuse not to do some more work on the Bible Studies for camp.  Some printing and getting a poster done were the big obstacles of the day.  The printer finally cooperated – on its own time.  And the poster is completed, rolled up, and ready to go for the last Bible Study of the week.  Check and check.  I do still need a whistle though …

The afternoon was set aside for two things.  First we delivered a car full of supplies to the church from our Sam’s run.  Most of them need to eventually make their way upstairs to the retreat center, but for now they rest on a table downstairs.  Next we attended a birthday party for Travis.  He is one of many youngsters (OK, I know he just graduated from college and is starting grad school in August, but we were there when he was born, so yes, he’s a perpetual youngster) who have Seaside roots.  Speaking of Seaside youngsters, it was good to see some of the young men and women who grew up at Seaside and have moved on into their adult – and almost adult - lives.  Travis, William, Matthew, Cody, Jennifer, Sydney, Melissa, Jimmy (but he goes by James now).  They are all my kids.  Sigh.  Guess I’m just being a sappy, sentimental, old Dad on this Father’s Day. 

Psalms 103:13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”

Father, please walk with all of our Seaside kids, no matter how old they seem to be now.  Amen.

June 15 – “Haven’t seen him since”

A few weeks back we had a visitor at church on Sunday.  He came over from the nearby RV park.  As we chatted before the service he told me has never been a church-goer.  In fact he hasn’t been inside a church in over 40 years.  He passed the Catholic church on the way to Seaside, but decided he “couldn’t handle going that far quite yet.”  Interesting assessment. 

He recently started talking to his sister who does go to church and she convinced him to start reading the Bible.  She recommended “skipping the Old Testament for now and starting in the New Testament.”  He has been reading Matthew and Mark.  I told him that was good advice, since the entire Old Testament was leading up to what happened in the New Testament with Jesus.  So it is a good idea to decide what you are going to do with Jesus right up front.  He had one specific question about reconciling judging others with living a Christian lifestyle.  He seemed to appreciate my explanation about separating the person from the behavior.  He listened pretty intently to the gospel presentation right then and later to the teaching.  He said he would “be back for more next Sunday.” 

As often happens, we haven’t seen him since.  Please pray for Todd.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Father, Word, will you watch over Todd and draw him to yourself?  Bring others into his path who will reinforce the truth of the gospel.  Amen.

June 14 – “Where often is heard an encouraging word …”

Here was another of those days that is incredibly boring from the outside looking in, yet for those of us on the inside (Read here … me) it was a time of extreme focus and mental discipline.  I suppose I could simply state, “I worked yesterday,” and be done with it.  That’s certainly what happened.  I spent the better part of the day working on the Bible Studies for children’s camp.  I’ve been asked to be a sort of guest speaker for the church group we are tagging along with.  That means I teach a Bible study for three of the days we are there.  The studies have to be coordinated with the sermons of the camp pastor.  Another of the children’s ministers attending the camp was responsible for sending out a packet with lesson plan suggestions for each day.  I finally received that packet.  With the start of camp a mere ten days away, it would have been nice to have had the info sooner, but it is what it is.  So there will be my focus for the next few days. 

Chris got a text from April to see if we could pick up Cailyn from softball practice and let her spend the night.  April had a work event that she had forgotten about.  So that’s where we spent an hour or so last night – watching girls practice softball.  It is amazing to see how well they are doing individually.  They have really come a long way skill-wise.  I’m certainly proud of Cailyn.  She is adapting well to her new position.  She has been moved from third base to second base on the all-star team.  Still on the infield, but very different in terms of responsibilities and fielding positioning.  And her hitting is really coming around.  She has discovered that she really can hit just about anything thrown her way.  Not that she does every time, but she believes she can.  That’s 90% of the skill right there.  I also noticed that she is a lot like I was in Little League.  She responds way better to encouragement than to harsh criticism.  We are the same in that our tendency is to begin a shut down when the harshness starts (And with some coaches that means we probably should just play in the dirt until they get done with their tirade).  My theme song would have had two parts. “Where seldom is heard a discouraging word” is only half of it.  To be really effective you need to add, “Where often is heard an encouraging word.”  See, when encouraged we will do everything in our power to be successful the eyes of the encourager.  She has a good blend of coaching types to deal with.  Should help her see that there are all kinds of bosses in the world, and she can learn to be successful under any of them. 

Psalms 68:5 says, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

Father, please send Cailyn a lot of encouraging words in her softball career, starting with the tournament this weekend.  Amen.

June 13 – “Lots of Littles”

We went to a birthday party yesterday for one of the youngsters at church.  William was four years old.  The party was held at the Galvestonian, one of the condominium buildings out on East Beach, pretty much right on the beach.  We were wondering about how it would fare in a hurricane, and about that time we came across a marker showing how high the water got after Hurricane Ike.  That’s a good benchmark around here for measuring flooding.  Looks like the garage under the building was completely under water, but the building itself was fine.  The amenities were pretty amazing at the condo.  Gym, barbeque pits, a fire pit, a big swimming pool, access to the beach, which is scraped clean of seaweed each morning as needed, private parking, storage units, available bicycles, tennis courts, coffee and pastries every weekend morning.  I guess the list goes on and on.  I’m not a condo kinda guy, but that one seemed pretty nice for someone who is.  Of course there is still the matter of assessments on property owners to pay for all those niceties, as well as for the continual maintenance required of every beach front property.  But I understand that is just one of the “things” that is condo living.  It takes the place of things like having to have your roof replaced or foundation repaired or any other myriad of maintenance issues you face in a single family home. 

It was fun to watch the little guys play around in the swimming pool.  There were lots of littles out there, with their floaties on their arms and around their waist.  The food was amazing.  Hot dogs of several different varieties to go along with the steak-kabobs and chicken-kabobs and salads and fruit of all kinds.  We had to leave before they brought out a birthday cake, but I’m sure if there was one, that it was impressive as well.  All in all it seemed like a good day for young William.  Happy birthday, my little friend.

Luke 6:27-28 says, “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Father, be with William as he heads into yet another year of life.  Amen.

June 12 – “View of a …rat”

Three mile walk again.  Check.

Dove into my Monday work since we were on the road Monday.  Check

After lunch I took a chance and mowed the grass.  I was a little worried about the heat being too much, but just the opposite was true.  Well, maybe not the opposite, but it certainly wasn’t unbearable.

Right in the middle of it all I was getting ready to weed eat in the backyard.  I received a strange text.  It was from Chris, who was still in the front yard sweeping grass from the sidewalk.  She asked me if I wanted to help the neighbor start her lawnmower.  Strange request.  I headed right to the front yard to see what was going on.

As soon as I appeared, the neighbor’s Mom, who always sits on their porch, hollered at me, “Mr. Kelley! Can you come help them start the lawn mower?  They don’t know what they’re doing.”  Well, OK.  A reasonable enough request, I guess.  I checked the gas and oil.  All fine.  I made a few preliminary tugs.  Nothing.  Then I remembered something about our old mower.  Sure enough, this was an oldie as well. It still had one of those choke mechanisms that you have to pump a few times before it will start  Took care of that and it started like a charm. 

Come to find out no one in that entire household had ever in their lives operated a lawn mower.  The 8 months pregnant lady excitedly took the beast from me, anxious to try her hand at the new toy.  Her teenaged son watched.  I returned to my backyard duties, hoping the youngster would step up and take over.  Chris told me later that he did take over … for one small strip of grass.  Then he quit and went inside.  Sad.

I finally pulled up the sunflowers in the back yard.  When Zak was here he saw a big rat feasting on the seeds, so Chris was suddenly on board with them coming down.  Speaking of rats, we were relaxing in the back yard after a hard day of mowing and the like, when Chris saw one of the critters in the tree in the neighbor’s yard.  Its trajectory caused it to disappear below the fence line.  I snuck over there as quietly as I could.  Suddenly I kicked the fence repeatedly and screamed, “Get out of here, rat!”  Within seconds, that frightened rat was scurrying up the tree and dashing madly across the neighbor’s roof.  Best way to view a rat that I can think of – one or both of us running opposite directions.

Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

Father, be with our neighbors as they try to learn how to live in a stand-alone home.  Amen.

June 11 – “You have to go to customer service”

Zak received an interesting birthday gift from his parents.  A full-sized replica of an English broadsword.  Now they weren’t expecting him to learn how to use the thing.  At least I don’t think they were.  The accompanying certificate explained the significance behind it as a symbol of his rite of passage into teenage-hood.  Somebody, somewhere once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  I think the essence of the words were something similar.

As we were getting ready to leave for Galveston yesterday, Zak was getting ready to leave for youth camp with his church.  Pretty exciting time around there.  Christi sat at the table with the list of things he would need, and one at a time he would locate the item and she would check it off the list.  Gotta love lists.  Sometimes they just make the world go ‘round.  Meanwhile I was playing indoor wiffle baseball with Luke.  That kid can hit some baseballs.  And his pitching is pretty good, too. 

On the way out of town we stopped for gas at the HEB station.  Then Chris surprised me by wanting to go inside.  Why?  So we could fill our little ice chest with Minute Maid frozen lemonade.  We haven’t found any around here lately, so it was an awesome surprise. 

After our traditional lunch at Cracker Barrel in College Station, we made another stop at Sam’s to get supplies for the church.  And we hit a snag.  The checker, despite my protestations to the contrary, did not record the purchase as tax exempt.  I even reminded her before she hit the final total button.  She just looked at me, hit the button, then said, “You have to go to customer service.  They will give you the tax in cash.  We briefly ensured that she knew we were less than happy with her snafu, but she refused to accept responsibility, and never even said she was sorry.  So sad.  Of course then we had to stand in line at customer service, which took another twenty minutes.  At least there they had been trained in the fine art of saying, “I’m sorry.”  Not that anything would be done beyond crediting our account with the tax.  Again … so sad. 

On our way home from there we picked up our truck from Kel and Christina’s house.  The other car they have been using was returned to them.  After unloading from the trip at our house, we made a final quick trip over to WalMart for some fruit.  And finally we were able to begin our decompression from the weekend.  Whew.  Hope it doesn’t take too long.  I have lots to get done for next week …

Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”

Father, thank you for safety on this flying trip to Waco.  Thank you again as well for the hospitality of the church there to let us join with them for camp.  Amen.

June 10 – “Now get out of here”

That old preacher really helped us out yesterday.  Not quite as long-winded as usual.  He was done preaching kind of early, so we could hit the road.  In fact we were walking out of the building right at 11:30.  We even had Seasiders approaching us and saying things like, “Love you.  Great Sermon.  Now get out of here.”  What was the hurry?  We raced out right after church to head for Waco.  We had a few extra cousins to return to their parents.  We also were doing our best to make it to the counselors’ meeting for Kids Camp.  The meeting was at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco as well. 

Caleb and Zakary decided they could wait to eat until we reached Buc-ees.  They assured us that they always had to wait forever to get lunch when they went on trips.  All in all they were extremely agreeable traveling companions.  I had my usual traveling nap time, although it wasn’t quite as long as I would have liked.  I had to be alert for the Astros game, after all. 

The boys used the computer to watch the rest of the movie we started the night before while I dozed.  Then they each took one of our phones and had a knock-down drag-out Words with Friends match.  I had to interrupt them at game time to turn my phone into a mobile hot spot so I could tune in on my iPad.  That worked great until my phone died on them from overuse.  Which, by the way, also caused the iPad feed to disappear.  We got it plugged back in and recharging in time to see the end of the game, though.  Good ol’ Round Rock Astros won again.  This time on the bat of the newest call-up, who smashed a home run in his second big-league at-bat. 

We made it to the meeting with fifteen or twenty minutes to spare.  In fact, we got to hear the last part of the parents’ meeting as well.  Chris was frantically taking notes so we could be up to speed on their expectations.  The note-taking continued in the counselors’ meeting as well.  Generally speaking it was all the usual stuff you would expect.  Sounds like they are pretty strict about some things, like no cell phones for the kids at all.  They can use counselor phones if they have to check in with parents, but apparently the cell phone service at the camp is pretty spotty anyway.  The phones have to stay active all day searching for a signal, so on most days they die before the end of the afternoon.  That led to a decision on Chris’ part on something we were waffling about for our upcoming trips.  Looks like we will be getting one of those mobile cell phone chargers.  I’ve never used one.  Never even seen one.  Guess it works, though.

We went to a local pizza place after the meeting where we met Josh and Christi and the kids.  Place called Marco’s.  That’s some good pizza.  The rest of the evening I watched and then played baseball in the living room with Luke (OK.  Some of it was a video game where Luke beat me 15-12, but some was actual pitching a ball made of crumpled aluminum foil and smacking it with a plastic bat.  Well, Luke smacked it.  I struck out.  He was most excited about plunking his Dad with a pitch though.  Multiple times).  after family worship we talked a bit with Josh and Christi, but we were all Sunday afternoon worn out, so it was on to bed.  And did I mention the bed we went on to is awesome?  Love their spare bed.  I still want them to get a new one and give me that old one.  Very comfortable.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Father, help us remember that life is less about finding your plan for us, and more about finding you.  Amen.