Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Camp at The Wilds, Part 3
Stephenie and I "slept in" this morning. I got up at 8:30. For that, my punishment was that I missed breakfast!
Stephenie and I went to Junior Bootcamp chapel this morning. Bro. Ron DeGarde preached on "Protecting Your Heart!" He used several passages of scripture but his launching pad was from Ephesians 6 where we are commanded to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Why? To protect our heart!
From there, I followed the Juniors to the Lake for the "Lake Wars." They divide all the Juniors up into 4 different water games that are all going at the same time. After each round, the children switch to a different game so that at the end of 4 rounds they've had the opportunity to participate in each game.
From there we went to the picnic lunch on the ballfield with the teenagers. I was glad for this especially since I missed breakfast.
After lunch, the teenagers got to play one of their favorites - "The Cat In the Hat." We took plenty of pictures and video from that game.
This afternoon the teenagers and juniors are participating in a variety of activities: the land slide, tubing down the creek, the rope swing, hikes to the falls, swim time at the lake, put-put golf, and the list could go on.
All the young people are doing very well. Continue to keep them in your prayers daily! Thanks.
Stephenie and I went to Junior Bootcamp chapel this morning. Bro. Ron DeGarde preached on "Protecting Your Heart!" He used several passages of scripture but his launching pad was from Ephesians 6 where we are commanded to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Why? To protect our heart!
From there, I followed the Juniors to the Lake for the "Lake Wars." They divide all the Juniors up into 4 different water games that are all going at the same time. After each round, the children switch to a different game so that at the end of 4 rounds they've had the opportunity to participate in each game.
From there we went to the picnic lunch on the ballfield with the teenagers. I was glad for this especially since I missed breakfast.
After lunch, the teenagers got to play one of their favorites - "The Cat In the Hat." We took plenty of pictures and video from that game.
This afternoon the teenagers and juniors are participating in a variety of activities: the land slide, tubing down the creek, the rope swing, hikes to the falls, swim time at the lake, put-put golf, and the list could go on.
All the young people are doing very well. Continue to keep them in your prayers daily! Thanks.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Camp at The Wilds, Part 2
Today (Tuesday)...
I saw The Wilds before the sun came up. (Stephenie and I were up at 5:45 AM in order to get our morning walk in before the day started. I know what some of you are thinking, "Don't you get enough exercise just walking up and down the stairs!?!")
I saw Janna enjoy herself on the Land Trolley.
I saw Michael & Stephen Breeden go down the Landslide. (Very quickly, I might add!)
I saw Lauren and Hannah dive 65 feet on the Giant Swing.
I saw DJ and Andrew getting "crafty" in the Craft Shop.
I saw Travis, Sterling, Jeremiah & Fon Samuel getting wet at the Water Wars.
I saw MacKenzie, Zephany, & Jessica floating down the creek on inner tubes.
All the teens and juniors are doing well. I believe they are getting tired and it's only Tuesday night.
I saw a lot of our teenagers getting "scrambled" at the Scrabble Scramble Game.
Mark Herbster preached on "3 Tremendous Truths for Terrific Teenagers." His text was from Ecclesiastes 12 & 13. Those 3 Truths were/are...
1. Rejoice
2. Remove
3. Remember
(On Saturday, ask your teens to explain those three truths. Hopefully, they were taking notes!)
I'll have more pictures tomorrow! Enjoy! Feel free to pass this blog on to others who might enjoy seeing the young people.
Camp at The Wilds, Part 1
We arrived at camp by 2:30 on Monday afternoon just as the check-in process was beginning. We had absolutely no problems with the bus on the way to camp this year. That was a tremendous relief and blessing. The young people finally settled down after we made our first pit stop about an hour away from Asheville.
Once we got off the interstate in Asheville to begin the trip "up the mountain" the young people once again found their energy. And, when we turned onto Frozen Creek Road (the road that leads to camp), the young people began to shout with excitement.
Check-in went as smooth as it ever has. The young people were handed off to their counsellors without a hitch. Everyone got their luggage. Well, almost... There were only a few pillows left and one toiletry kit left on the bus. Mothers, you'll appreciate this... Two teenagers couldn't find a piece of their luggage. In both cases the item was in sight and I pointed it out to them. In one case, the missing piece of luggage was the only one left sitting on the ground! Now I know how Stephenie feels when she has to "find" something for me that is sitting right in front of me!
A big thank you goes out to Pastor Scott, Mr. Litchfield, and Mr. Christian. Pastor drove "The Ark" (the new, short bus) which was loaded with all our luggage. Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Christian drove behind Pastor Scott in order to drive him back to Charlotte so that he could leave the bus here during the week. they will be coming back up on Saturday morning in order to drive the luggage back down the mountain.
All the young people are doing well. Stephenie and I have "made the rounds" on several occassions in order to "check in" on the teenagers. They all seem to be having a good time.
One of the teen girls came up to me before the evening service and said that she needed to call her mom. When I asked why, she said that she had broken her flip flops and only had her sneakers left. Well, we remedied the situation. Stephenie and I drove into town on Tuesday morning to pick up a few things for the "Family Reunion" time on Thursday. While we were at Wal-Mart, we picked her up a couple of pair of flip flops that were on clearance. Once again, Wal-Mart saves the day!
Matt Herbster preached on Monday night. His text was Proverbs 24:16-17. The title to his message was, "Spiritual Defeat...Deal With It!" It was an excellent message on dealing with spiritual defeat and how that sometimes we get content with spiritual defeat. It was a great way to start the week.
We brought one of the largest groups this year! I'd love to bring over 50 young people next year! Start saving now!
I'll include some pictures with my next post (propably late Tuesday night.)
Once we got off the interstate in Asheville to begin the trip "up the mountain" the young people once again found their energy. And, when we turned onto Frozen Creek Road (the road that leads to camp), the young people began to shout with excitement.
Check-in went as smooth as it ever has. The young people were handed off to their counsellors without a hitch. Everyone got their luggage. Well, almost... There were only a few pillows left and one toiletry kit left on the bus. Mothers, you'll appreciate this... Two teenagers couldn't find a piece of their luggage. In both cases the item was in sight and I pointed it out to them. In one case, the missing piece of luggage was the only one left sitting on the ground! Now I know how Stephenie feels when she has to "find" something for me that is sitting right in front of me!
A big thank you goes out to Pastor Scott, Mr. Litchfield, and Mr. Christian. Pastor drove "The Ark" (the new, short bus) which was loaded with all our luggage. Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Christian drove behind Pastor Scott in order to drive him back to Charlotte so that he could leave the bus here during the week. they will be coming back up on Saturday morning in order to drive the luggage back down the mountain.
All the young people are doing well. Stephenie and I have "made the rounds" on several occassions in order to "check in" on the teenagers. They all seem to be having a good time.
One of the teen girls came up to me before the evening service and said that she needed to call her mom. When I asked why, she said that she had broken her flip flops and only had her sneakers left. Well, we remedied the situation. Stephenie and I drove into town on Tuesday morning to pick up a few things for the "Family Reunion" time on Thursday. While we were at Wal-Mart, we picked her up a couple of pair of flip flops that were on clearance. Once again, Wal-Mart saves the day!
Matt Herbster preached on Monday night. His text was Proverbs 24:16-17. The title to his message was, "Spiritual Defeat...Deal With It!" It was an excellent message on dealing with spiritual defeat and how that sometimes we get content with spiritual defeat. It was a great way to start the week.
We brought one of the largest groups this year! I'd love to bring over 50 young people next year! Start saving now!
I'll include some pictures with my next post (propably late Tuesday night.)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Vacation!
I took this entire week off so that I could work on some projects around the house:
1. Repair/rejuvinate outdoor table (Still not done with this.)
2. Replace outlets in Mollie's room (Done)
3. Build two book shelves for Mollie's room (Half-way done)
4. Put casing around windows in Mollie's room (Not started)
5. Repair doors of vanity in downstair's bathroom (Half-way done)
Without a garage, I've had to clean-up/put away every afternoon this week because of thunderstorms.
Also, on Tuesday, I spent 2 hours helping Jeremiah cut our neighbor's back yard in order to earn money for camp. Then, on Wednesday, I spent a couple hours cooking lunch for several Duke Energy & Bellsouth workers who have been working in our neighborhood. Again, that was to help Jeremiah earn money for camp.
Stephenie leaves tomorrow to take the younger children to grandma's house while we go to camp next week.
What a vacation...
1. Repair/rejuvinate outdoor table (Still not done with this.)
2. Replace outlets in Mollie's room (Done)
3. Build two book shelves for Mollie's room (Half-way done)
4. Put casing around windows in Mollie's room (Not started)
5. Repair doors of vanity in downstair's bathroom (Half-way done)
Without a garage, I've had to clean-up/put away every afternoon this week because of thunderstorms.
Also, on Tuesday, I spent 2 hours helping Jeremiah cut our neighbor's back yard in order to earn money for camp. Then, on Wednesday, I spent a couple hours cooking lunch for several Duke Energy & Bellsouth workers who have been working in our neighborhood. Again, that was to help Jeremiah earn money for camp.
Stephenie leaves tomorrow to take the younger children to grandma's house while we go to camp next week.
What a vacation...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
My Take on the Oil Supply
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Genesis 1:28
There is much talk on the price of oil and the President Bush's proposal to increase oil drilling and exploration here in the United States.
While I agree that we should encourage the development of alternative sources of energy, I completely understand that those alternative sources of energy are not going to available to "general masses" of people for a long time to come.
I also understand that the typical consumer is having a difficult time "making ends meet" with the current state of oil prices.
I further understand that there is no quick fix.
However, I disagree with Congress' on their reluctance to allow further exploration of and drilling for oil in the United States.
God has richly blessed the United States with abundant natural resources. He has given us these resources not to simply "sit on" but He has given them to us to use. God has made us stewards of these resources. He commanded us to "subdue" the earth. That's a pretty strong word. Now, before anyone accuses me of simply wanting to "exploit" our resources at the expense of the "environment," please read on. (No, I am not an environmentalist that enjoys hugging each tree that I walk by.)
I believe that we can use the natural resources that God has given us in a responsible manner without destroying the environment. (No, I do not believe in Global Warming and yes, I would much rather save a baby from an abortion than I would a whale from slaughtering block.)
However, again, there is no quick fix. Even if Congress followed President Bush's ideas and allowed further drilling for oil, we wouldn't see any of that oil for quite some time. I read an article today that said it would be 3 years before we saw any additional oil. We must also increase our refining capabilities. Gasoline doesn't come out of the ground. It has to be refined from the raw material - oil.
That is one reason why it doesn't make too much sense for OPEC to pump more oil. Example: If the current refining capabilites is to be able to produce 100 gallons of usable gasoline a day, it doesn't matter how much oil is pumped. The refining capabilities need to be increased as well.
I've not used my blog in the was before but these thoughts have been swirling around in my mind for several days and they needed to be let out.
There is much talk on the price of oil and the President Bush's proposal to increase oil drilling and exploration here in the United States.
While I agree that we should encourage the development of alternative sources of energy, I completely understand that those alternative sources of energy are not going to available to "general masses" of people for a long time to come.
I also understand that the typical consumer is having a difficult time "making ends meet" with the current state of oil prices.
I further understand that there is no quick fix.
However, I disagree with Congress' on their reluctance to allow further exploration of and drilling for oil in the United States.
God has richly blessed the United States with abundant natural resources. He has given us these resources not to simply "sit on" but He has given them to us to use. God has made us stewards of these resources. He commanded us to "subdue" the earth. That's a pretty strong word. Now, before anyone accuses me of simply wanting to "exploit" our resources at the expense of the "environment," please read on. (No, I am not an environmentalist that enjoys hugging each tree that I walk by.)
I believe that we can use the natural resources that God has given us in a responsible manner without destroying the environment. (No, I do not believe in Global Warming and yes, I would much rather save a baby from an abortion than I would a whale from slaughtering block.)
However, again, there is no quick fix. Even if Congress followed President Bush's ideas and allowed further drilling for oil, we wouldn't see any of that oil for quite some time. I read an article today that said it would be 3 years before we saw any additional oil. We must also increase our refining capabilities. Gasoline doesn't come out of the ground. It has to be refined from the raw material - oil.
That is one reason why it doesn't make too much sense for OPEC to pump more oil. Example: If the current refining capabilites is to be able to produce 100 gallons of usable gasoline a day, it doesn't matter how much oil is pumped. The refining capabilities need to be increased as well.
I've not used my blog in the was before but these thoughts have been swirling around in my mind for several days and they needed to be let out.
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