July 10 – “Yoda water or Darth Mault?”

Well, I haven't had much sleep the last two nights.  The doctor's office didn't call the pharmacy back in a timely manner, so I haven't had one of my key RA meds.  Very uncomfortable.   Yesterday was Micah's fifth birthday party.  He chose a Star Wars theme, and his creative Mom went all out.  As the kids arrived they made light sabers out of pool noodles.  It just involved wrapping some duct tape around one end and then using electrical tape to create decorations.  One of the games was called "Free Han Solo."  Christina froze in ice two Star Wars action figures.  The kids divided into two teams and took turns pouring a cup of water over the ice until the figures were free.  One other game that could easily have gotten out of hand was called "Destroy the death star."  Christina drew a big circle on the driveway using chalk.  A few of the kids decorated it to look like the death star space ship.  Once finished, Kel brought out an ice chest full of water balloons and the kids became rebel warriors attacking and wiping out the death star image.  You can see how that could have been "interesting."  I think I saw Kel nail Christina once.  I hid behind Chris and threw two at Christi, but missed her.  Cake and ice cream completed the experience, along with Yoda water (some kind of green punch) and Darth Mault (that one was pink).  The kids had a great time – all of us.   A group arrived yesterday at Seaside to do Vacation Bible School here and some construction work at other places next week.  They brought 50 people.  We found out last night that they plan to worship with us this morning.  Some friends of ours are having a big family gathering in town as well, and they are planning on being here for worship.  That would be 13 more.  The room we are meeting in only hold maybe 80 people if we really scrunch up.  So if any Seasiders come there's simply not enough room.  So the group moved our seats downstairs to our fellowship building.  As it turned out, they wanted to do the VBS down there anyway, so it would really be helpful for them anyway.  It will help us, too.  We have had several weeks where we have been quite full upstairs, so we may end up just staying there for awhile while we determine next best course of action.  I'm sure some people won't be too happy about it, but hey, we're moving forward.  Growing pains are not always comfortable feelings.   Proverbs 18:14 says, "A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?"   Father, protect the spirits of our folks while we walk through our growing pains.  Amen.