June 23 – “Day one”

Left our Moms at early morn
Then Jason’s Dad was left forlorn
All ‘bout Bucees Kara learned
But Mama Chris done missed our turn

Waco was our stop for lunch

We were joined by quite a bunch
Kelly, Lora, Sydney, Luke,
Christi, Caleb, Zak and … a puppy?

George, he joined us in the van

Grinned the whole way, what a ham
Water town called Speegleville
‘Neath Lake Waco lies so still

Eastland heading west? Okay

George and Jason both said, “Hay!”
Pizza Hut in Lubbock town
Then it’s time to settle down

“Who am I?” we asked first game

Kara revealed two first names
Grace was Princess, Espey’s Hope
Mama Chris is Ivy, whoa

Espey’s head can bounce a ball
Watch out, Jason, you might fall
Stand up, sit down, never fear
Someone else will scratch your ear

Prayers all done and on to bed

“Goodnight” George and PK said
Rested now? The time has come
From now on my song you’ll hum!

Psalms 118:15-16 says, “Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord's right hand has done mighty things!  The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!’”

Faather, thank you for a great first day of traveling.  Ride with us now into New Mexico.  Amen.

June 22 – “Departure”

This is it.  Day of Departure.  On our way to Glorieta, New Mexico.  Here are the original verses of the song “I’m a Nut.”  Sung, of course, to the tune of, well, “I’m a Nut.” 

Day One

I’m an acorn, small and round,

Lyin’ on the cold, hard ground.
Everyone walks over me.
That is why I’m cracked, you see.

Chorus: 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.

Chorus: I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut. I’m a nut.

Took me out to a movie show.

Stayed too late and said, “Let’s go.”
Took my hand and led me out.
Drove me home and gave a shout.”

Chorus: I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.  I’m a nut. I’m a nut.

Exodus 15:13 says, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.  In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”

Father, grant us some safety on this trek to Lubbock today.  Help the drivers to stay awake and the students to listen to you.  Amen.

June 21 – “Bandages of honor”

Well, we discovered an unusual way to prepare for our eighteenth trip to Glorieta Centrifuge youth camp.  We were babysitting Kel’s brood while they went to a movie (the new X Men one.  He liked it).  I missed the first part of their stay because the fire chief called to let me know about a bad fire that was just winding up.  A few of the guys had been burned, and were on their way to the Urgent Care Clinic, so I went over there to check on them.  They were doing pretty well in spite of a few second degree burns.  They wore their “bandages of honor” proudly and were anxious to get back to work.  Pretty inspiring group of individuals, these firefighters.    

By the time I got back to the house, Jachin, Micah, and Josiah had almost exhausted all of their allowable media time.  Noa went down for her brief nap.  And finally I was called upon to get the little swimming pool ready for some outside time.  That part of preparation has gotten much easier with the arrival of electric air pumps and special attachments designed to fit right into those little air holes.  But once the pool was set up, we still faced the terribly long ordeal of filling it up.  Being the kind and wonderful grandfather that I am, I volunteered to hold the hose so the kids could get right to playing.  They were - how shall I say? – a bit reluctant to get started, however.  It was obvious that they needed just a tiny bit of a push.  And who better to provide it than dear old DadDad?  Oh, did I mention I had volunteered to hold the hose?  Now Chris has an attachment of her own on the end of the hose.  It allows the water to be disbursed in a remarkable variety of ways.  You have your mist and shower and spray functions, all of which are pretty standard.  I even found one option called flood that caused the most unusual distribution of water that I have ever seen.  It looked as if it was hitting a wall that was in the process of crumbling, so the water was allowed through, but with absolutely no force behind it.  It was gentle enough, in fact, that even Noa approached it and took a drink.  But as I tinkered with the nozzle I happened to discover another reading, and of course I had to check it out as well.  Now as I switched over to the new setting, I innocently happened to aim the nozzle at Jachin.  Purely coincidental, you understand.  How was I to know that the one marked “jet” would carry such incredible power?  He jumped.  Before I could release the handle, the spray made its way to Micah and then Josiah.  And before I knew it some kind of battle had broken loose.  The Frisbee they had suddenly became a bowl.  They carried it up onto the deck and showered me with water.  Can you imagine?  Innocent bystander, me.  And when I glanced up to see what had just happened, the jet stream, purely unintentionally, followed my gaze and smacked them up on the deck.  What a wondrous attachment this was on the end of a simple hose.  When they tired of the rain from above techniques, they decided to surround me and attack all at once.  That’s when I discovered a secret weapon, a setting that had not yet been tested.  I can’t remember what it was called, but we renamed it anyway after they received the first blast.  We called it “The Bees.”  Apparently it kept the same velocity as the Jet, but divided it up into hundreds of tiny sprays that stung when they contacted human skin.  Can you imagine hundreds of tiny little bees stinging you all at once?  Ouch.    Apparently it wasn’t too bad, though.  They kept coming back for more, screaming all the while.  I ran out of steam well before they did, and I was careful to roll up my weapon of choice and hide it behind a bush.  They settled somewhat quietly into what water was left in the pool.  Now I couldn’t just let that happen without some kind of ruckus, could I?  I selected my spot carefully and let fly with a cannonball into the two inches of water that remained.  A wild flurry of splashes and squeals followed until I had absolutely nothing left.  I retired from the battle field, as did they, tired but proud of the victories we had accomplished.  Popcorn and a few episodes of Clone Wars followed, and before long Mom and Dad were back.  OK.  Now I’m ready for camp.

Psalms 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Father, please do some table preparing for the kids going to camp this week.  Amen.

June 20 – “Disclaimer”

I thought I’d go ahead and make my annual camp disclaimer statement today.  We will be leaving early Sunday morning for youth camp in Glorieta, New Mexico.  Because of issues they sometimes have with the internet up there, there may be days I have no service and will not be able to post my blog.  In fact one year I had no service all week.  I will still be jotting down my thoughts and activities, though, and I will post them as soon as service becomes available.  Oh, and more than likely the posts will come in the form of poetry.  Well, it’s supposed to sound like poetry.  Actually it will be lyrics to a song I write every year.  The tune is the old camp favorite – time to wax nostalgic here – “I’m a Nut.”  You can probably find someone brave enough to sing it over on youtube.  I start out with the original verses (that will most likely be the post for Sunday or Monday morning), then I add tidbits about the week’s adventures or misadventures, roughly following the same metrical pattern.  I make mention of each student at some point, and last year I included one-verse summaries of the main teachings for each day (now that proved to be challenging).  Oh, and did I mention that I actually sing the song?  I use it as the alarm clock for the group on our first and last days together.  Can you imagine how gloriously blessed the kids feel when they are treated to the melodious sound of my voice wafting through the air and gently invading the world of their dreams?  Well, OK.  Those who have actually been there don’t tend to use words like “blessed” or “melodious” or “gently.”  I have heard things like “Oh, no” and “Turn it off” and “Hit the snooze button,” though.  But I know that was just their teenage way of saying thank you and expressing their utmost love and appreciation for my time and energy.  Ah.  Memories.  I can’t wait to make some more.

Psalms 63:6-8 says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

Father, thank you for the many years of memories that I do have from the camp experience.  Would you call some of those years to the minds of the students who have been as well?  Give them a glance of the closeness they felt with you during those times.  Create in them a yearning to return to you.  Amen.

June 19 – “Where are the elves?”

Check off one more of those “oh, yeah, I almost forgot that one” chores that has to be done before we leave for camp.  In the grand scheme of things this was not really a big one.  Unless of course you are the one who has to do it.  I mowed the grass.  Can’t have it knee-high when we return home.  That would be like Chris going to bed with dishes in the sink or leaving for vacation without cleaning house.  I guess if I had left it, there was a small chance that someone would have come over and mowed for us.  You know, like that story of the shoemaker and the elves who would do all his work for him while he slept.  But when he stayed up all night to see who was doing it, they stopped because they wanted to remain anonymous.  Something about appreciating the gifts you are given and not worrying about why.  I promise I will appreciate any future occurrences of random elf-induced lawn mowing.  Or elf-induced anything, for that matter.

Cailyn also spent the day with us yesterday.  Well, she mostly spent the day with Chris.  They are like a couple of youngsters when they get together.  Female youngsters.  They do dolls and hairdos and makeup and dress-up.  Yesterday was dress-up.  Cailyn had on one of Chris’ skirts that she had rolled up and tied at the waist so that it would stay on.  And she was wearing one of Chris’ necklaces.  Gorgeous.  Just gorgeous.  After my shower we were talking to Cailyn about her upcoming summer activities.  Cheerleading she is very excited about.  She has been working hard on her two assignments: cartwheels and doing the splits. Ouch.  She’s getting pretty good at cartwheels.  She has the splits down.  Quite impressive.  After granting us a sampling of her tumbling prowess, Chris asked about her other big activity: swimming lessons.  Seems she has signed up for lessons with her cousin Josiah.  They are to be taught by Christina’s mom, who has been doing it for years.  So Chris asked Cailyn to give us an example of how she swims.  Undaunted by the fact that we were not in a pool at the time, she moved to the center of the room (the girl does enjoy center stage).  She raised her arms above her head to begin the movement … and the skirt fell to her ankles.  Couldn’t have planned a better comedic moment.  Her mouth dropped open, her eyes grew as wide as silver dollars.  She quickly squatted down to reclaim her cover.  All in the space of mere seconds.  And after another split second to process what had just happened, she burst into insane Joker-type laughter, joining her Nani who was already splitting her own sides, laughing so hard she was almost crying.  Nothing warms the heart quite like the sound of two little girls totally overwhelmed with a case of the giggles. 

Psalms 126:2-3 says, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Father, thank you for giggles and dress up and a freshly mowed lawn.  Amen.

June 18 – “Out of the Zone”

Boy, was I ever treated to a special anniversary lunch yesterday.  Totally unexpected, too.  I was intently poring over the last few church group devotions and just beginning the group quiet times for camp.  I have to say I was oblivious to just about everything around me.  This camp preparation is about like preparing 16 sermons in less than a week.  And once I get involved in it, it is really hard for me to pull away until I come to a clear stopping place.  And even then, I’m always afraid that I will forget the train of thought that I was riding on at the time.  So I have to plan ahead for the stops, which means even more time and effort.  It’s a good thing camp is so worth it to the kids going. 

So while I was in that zone, Chris announced that lunch was ready.  Actually she announced first, “OK.  You are done.”  That was kind of different.  Not that I didn’t appreciate it.  I had reached my personal point of satiation where I wasn’t actually accomplishing anything anyway.  She probably caught me in one of my moments of rubbing my eyes.  Speaking of which, I think I may be on the downside of the respiratory thing, but the itchy, watery eyes and cough are still hanging around.  So as quickly as I could I wrapped up preparations for pausing so I could remember where I was.  But I sure didn’t expect what was for lunch.  Now I know Nathan and April brought over steaks and grilled them the day before.  Hard to top that.  But Chris had prepared chicken enchilada pie.  It’s a casserole-type dish that is far and away my favorite.  It’s the one I choose when I get a choice.  Scrumptious.  And none of the boys were here to share it with.  Yep.  They love it, too.  Even Josh.  So I was able to have some for supper, and I’ll probably grab some more for lunch today. 

Father’s Day week, day one, my calls from the boys.  Day two, steak and a really cool book of “Old School Ways to Remember Stuff.”  Can’t wait to finish that one.  Day three, chicken enchilada pie.  Not bad at all.  Wonder what’s in store for today? 

Psalms 28:7 says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

Father, please figure out some way to use these group times and quiet times next week to impact the lives of Kara and Jason and Espy and Grace.  Amen.

June 17 – “Full Enough”

Father’s Day celebrating continued for me yesterday.  Nathan and April and Cailyn called and asked if they could come over and cook us a Father’s Day lunch.  Now how often does that happen?  We didn’t even have to leave the house for a special meal treat.  And special it was.  He grilled some steaks and April did some magic with potatoes in the oven and made a salad.  Oh, and Cailyn entertained us all with her non-stop chatter.  I vote for making this Father’s Day thing into a whole week.  Any suggestions for today?

We did have to make a special trip out to UTMB after they left.  No, no one was hurt or terribly sick or anything.  (Although I did resort to the secret weapon to battle this cough and get some sleep last night.  I broke out the Nyquil).  We just had to go by and pick up my paycheck.  OK, so how does my check from Seaside end up at UTMB?  Not that far a stretch.  Our financial secretary’s husband works there.  Since they live in Santa Fe it is not all that uncommon for us to communicate through him.  Of course it does mean we have to drive east of 61^st Street. 

I did get through planning some of the church group devotions for youth camp.  I made it to Thursday night, so I just have two more to go.  Then I can put together the quiet times for the kids each day.  I think that will be all the computer-type work for camp.  Then it’s just a matter of packing and picking up the van on Saturday.  Oh, and making a WalMart run for some snacks, First Aid Kit stuff, and some prizes and props for the devotion times.  And worked somewhere in there I hear we are babysitting for Kel’s kids.  Chris told them one of the kids might end up in our suitcase.  I don’t think they considered that such a bad thing.  Oh, yes, I almost forgot that my brother and his wife are coming over Saturday, too, to look through Mom’s stuff.  And right now I’m headed to water therapy.  Got one of those on Thursday, too.  Guess our week will be full enough. 

Psalms 24:7-8 says, “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”

Father, thank you again for fighting all the important battles for me and the not-so-important ones with me.  Amen.