Song for Sunday: Seasons in the Sun

I always thought of this as a nostalgic song. It sort of is, but I guess my knowledge of the lyrics didn't go beyond the chorus.I always thought of it as a happy song.

Yesterday, I heard this played by a band at an Out of the Darkness Rally/Fundraiser to prevent suicide. The lyrics really are sad. I did some research, and learned that Terry Jacks actually wrote this about a friend dying of cancer and saying good-bye to a friend, his father, and his daughter. However, it was based on a French song, le Moribund, which was basically a suicide note, though not from the author, rather from a charchter.

The French song:

Jacques Brels version .. le Moriband.. the original of Seasons in the Sun Translated from French into English

Good-bye, my wife, I loved you well
Good-bye, my wife, I loved you well, you know,
But I'm taking the train for the Good Lord,
I'm taking the train before yours
But you take whatever train you can;
Goodbye, my wife, I'm going to die,
It's hard to die in springtime, you know,
But I'm leaving for the flowers with my eyes closed, my wife,
Because I closed them so often,
I know you will take care of my soul. 


Even though Seasons in the Sun is not about suicide, it has a tone that fits with suicide prevention. A few facts a gathered from my brief stop at the rally. 

• 90% of people who commit suicide have a diagnosable and treatable mental illness at the time of their death. Five to 10% of suicides take place in mental hospitals.
• First responders have a suicide rate four times that of the general population, but there is no funding for programs to help
•  Older adults have the highest suicide rates, more than 50% higher than young people

 Good mental health care would be the best suicide prevention. Something to work for. 

Here's today's Song for Sunday. May it lead you to prayer for the suicidal and the dying. 

 

Blessings.

Getting Organized --Playroom, Update 2

Well, getting there. This second weekly update brings visible progress. Some, anyway.

Still need encouragement and prayers though. I've still got the target date of July 1.

For those following along. here's photos:


Beginning:

Current:

The fact that this is visible progress is testimony to how bad it was when I started. *sigh*

Well, on we go.....


Thanks to my biggest encouragers-- and competitors in "The Minimalist Game" -- who are fellow members of the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park (CYC) community. Three of us were students together. The other started attending a few years later. Not all of us are active in CYC anymore and there is some geographic distance, but CYC cements friendships. Encouragement is part of that.

If you know a teenager who would like to make lifelong friends while enjoying two weeks of God, learning and fun a quarter mile from the beach this August, check out this link.

We're also on Facebook.

Previous posts:

Getting Organized -- Playroom
Getting Organized -- Playroom, Update 1


Blessings on your housework this week!

Why Forgive?

For Christians, the answer to "why forgive?" is easy. At least easy to recite.  We forgive (or should) because God forgave us. We forgive (or should) because God will forgive us in the same way we forgive others. We forgive (or should) because we are commanded to.


But there are other reasons to forgive that apply to those of any religion or none.


It is good for our mental health.

It helps us to be more rational and calm.

 Source: Forgiveness from Psychology and It's Practice.

It's good for our physical health.

Apparently, those who forgive have lower incidents of high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The Healing Power of Forgiveness from IDEA Health and Wellness

It makes us happier.

Forgiving gives us peace of mind, makes it easier to relax and lets us enjoy life more. 

Source: Forgive and... Feel Happier from  Greater Good.

It allows for better relationships.

It helps us to love each other well and allows for strong friendships, marriages and fellowships.

Source: Forgiveness and Relationships by Rodney Buchanan

For all these reasons and more, forgiveness is important.


What are your reasons for forgiving?

Memories of Camp

I wrote and posted this a few years ago. I post it again because I think camp is important. A well-run residential camp helps kids to gain independence, take positive risks and make new friends. 

Did you ever go to summer camp?

Did you work at one?

 Memories made in camps often hold a special place in our hearts.  Camps have changed many lives, helped children grow and provided all kinds of inspiration.

Here is one of my favorite memories of my camp experience. Although I learned a ton about both myself and God at Grotonwood, Oceanwood and, especially, CYC. (I attended CYC the longest --in fact I still go.) and I made many, many friends, too, I am not writing about that. This was just plain fun.

 I was a counselor in training at CYC which was called NEBYC at the time. Some of us staff were hanging out at the gate, as we often did after the campers were in bed a counselor remained in each cabin). After a late night snack, we decided to get "creative" with our time. We drove all our cars on to the ballfield and set them up as a used car lot, writing prices on the windows with soap. Then we, um, "borrowed" cars from the sleeping staff and added them to the lot. ( Back then, you could put a car in neutral and safely push it.) When we were done, we noticed some more cars driving in. The faculty had been out for the evening. We formed a human chain across the road to their cabins and made them drive onto the field. As soon as they stopped, we jumped on the windows and wrote prices. They laughed and laughed.  The centerpiece of the lot -- and the car with the highest sales price-- was a VW Van, selling for $9.99. Everyone knew it was John Wilbur's car. He was an older, much adored guy who taught sailing. It was fun...and the next day our sleepy selves got a quite a reaction.

It's kind of a silly memory, sure. But it's a great one to tell when you are reminiscing around a campfire. I am still friends with many of the others involved in that event. Some of us are faculty together, now, and ready to laugh at the antics of the younger folks.

 I would be very interested to read summer camp stories, even ones that seem silly.  What was good about your camp experience? What was your favorite thing about camp? What did you do for fun? What did you learn? Are you still involved with that camp? Please comment and let me know.

Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes

 Forgiveness

Maundy Thursday seems like a good day to start a series on forgiveness, so let's begin.

I intend for this series to a discussion. I am not the expert or even an expert on forgiveness. I don't forgive perfectly. I need to learn more about how forgiveness plays out in practical terms in a person's life.. specifically my own. 

So, I invite you to be a fellow student with me. Let us wrestle with ideas, share insights, pray for each other.  

 For today, here are some quotes about forgiveness that we can reflect upon:

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
                                                                                                                               ~C.S. Lewis 

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
                                                                                                             ~ Matthew 6: 14-15
 
“Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.”  
                                                                                                                               ~J.K. Rowling

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”  
                                                                                     ~Martin Luther King, Jr.


“The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either -- or both -- when needed?” 
                                                                                          ~Gordon B. Hinkley

“When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God’s light shines upon you.”
                                                                                               ~Jon Krakauer


"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 

                                                                                     ~1 John 1:9

“Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.”
                                                                                             ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen


"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
                                                                                  ~Matthew 6:12 

"If you don't forgive, you'll eventually have no friends left."
                                                                                  ~Anonymous


Which quote catches your attention? Do you have a favorite quote about forgiveness?

 

Bible verses from New International Version. Used by permission.
Quotes chosen from Good Reads. 
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One place I learned about forgiveness was the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park (CYC). CYC is a two week experience of Christian community and a discipleship training program for high school youth. This year's conference is August 2-15 on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. Registration is open. For more information, click here.

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This is my second post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Thirty posts in thirty days! 

Song for Sunday: Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright

This song came on the car radio yesterday and a friend told me it was a perfect song for me. I tend to be a worrier. 

Today's sermon, for this first Sunday in Lent, was "It's All Good," based on Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

So this seemed like an ideal song for today's "Song for Sunday."

Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:"

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!"
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry!
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - I won't worry!
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, oh no!
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!

                                   ~Bob Marley


What song reminds you to relax?

Knitters' Devotional: Warmth

A gift of knitting is a gift of warmth.

Warmth is associated with many good things: the sun, a hearth, a bonfire, a pleasant welcome.

When we give warmth, we give love and friendship. In doing so, we do as Christ would have us do. The Bible tells us to practice hospitality, to love our enemies and our friends. It is full of stories of hospitality given and hospitality gratefully received. Both are blessings.

God has given us the gift of warmth; literally, from the sun and spiritually as He welcomes us into His family when we come to know Jesus.

He calls us to give the gift of warmth to others. We do this literally when we send a homemade sweater to an orphanage or knit a blanket for a friend. We do it figuratively when we invite people into our homes and churches, when we welcome refugees into our midst and when we offer the hand of friendship to a neighbor.

The blessings of warmth are as real for the giver as for the receiver.

Lord, teach us to be givers of warmth and may we receive it’s blessings with thankfulness. In Jesus name, Amen.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 

    It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, 

    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens
  

     and makes its circuit to the other;
 

     nothing is deprived of its warmth.

                                      ~Psalm 19: 4b-6

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

                                     ~1 Peter 4: 8-9        

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

                                   ~Hebrews 13: 1-2

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I am in the midst of writing a knitter's devotional and this an entry for it. I would appreciate feedback. There is something about this that needs editing but I can't quite put my finger on it. Thanks!

Cancer

It's a word that still strikes fear.

We have learned much -- but there is still far to go in our fight against this insidious disease.

My family has been struck multiple times. I lost my mother to a version of ovarian cancer that her oncologist called "tough and mean." My sister is battling colon cancer now. Thankfully, the progress of her treatment has been good so far.

I also have aunts and uncles who have been affected.

And friends. Some have died, some are fighting, some have won.

My story is far from unique. I suspect all of us know someone afflicted by cancer.


Research is critical, as is patient care. Both mean money.

Today, I will tell you about two friends who are working to raise money:

My friend Heather, a former college roommate, over at The Reluctant Survivor is walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. She is a Breast Cancer Survivor and tells her story very well on her blog. It is a very empowering read. Here is her fundraising page.

Paul, who has been friend, mentor, teacher and second Dad since my teen years, rode in the PanMass Challenge the past two years. This year he went many extra miles. His story of training is very inspirational, but it is his love for his late wife Peg that is truly awe-inspiring. He cared for her faithfully and well during her long last illness. Her loss was a blow to many of us. I considered her my second Mom. Paul rode in her memory and also had my sister as a "pedal partner." His fundraising page is open until October 1 and gifts given up to his birthday on September 10th will be doubled.

There are a million ways to support cancer victims and research and many organizations to donate through. I offer two opportunities and hope that you will give to one somewhere, whether in time, prayer or money. God bless you!

What is your experience with cancer?

Intercultural Experience at Camp

Jordan went to camp recently and came back declaring he had a great time. He was in the water club, shot the first bullseye in archery, made a beard in the mancave and stayed in a yurt. So he learned skills, gained confidence and got to interact in positive ways with people who are different from him.

Jordan attended an American Baptist camp. Earlier in July, I posted the article "Real Diversity" in which I explained that the American Baptist denomination, like the U.S. of the near future, has no majority ethnic group. We want to set a positive example of how to work out this level of diversity well.

Jordan's camp was reflective of the larger denomination. Five ethnic groups were represented by the ten campers and two counselors in the group. The female counselor was from another country and was the only one to represent that group, all the other groups were represented by more than one person. The group was diverse in other ways, too. There were both urban and suburban kids. At least one child had significant disabilities. The campers had different interests, also, which is why there were three different clubs and a wide variety of activities.  There was one similarity -- the campers were all from Christian families and both counselors were Christians. Worship was a part of the camp routine.


The diversity wasn't planned by the camp. People signed up for a convenient session and were assigned on a first come/first serve basis. I am excited that this was a natural representation rather than an engineered grouping.

Jordan didn't come home talking about intercultural experiences and differences. He talked about friends and activities. That's the way it is supposed to be. 

Camp offers many positive benefits, which is why I send my son and encourage others to send their children.  Interacting with a diverse group 24/7 is one of those benefits.


What opportunities have your kids had to interact with people who were different from them?





God camp for teens -- the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park offers worship, Christian education and fun in an intense -- and diverse -- Christian community. This years two week session starts next Sunday, August 4th, but there is still time to register.  

Craft Time: Giant Chess Board

I found myself needing a giant chess board.

I am the parent advisor/teacher for my son's chess club and we like to do dress up and have a live action game now and then. Last year we used painter's tape and a permanent black marker on a white plastic table cloth. It was a one time use solution and the squares were too small (1 foot).

Then my son started helping a family friend plan a Harry Potter party, based on the Sorcerer's Stone. They needed a giant chess board for one of the scenes.

I volunteered to make one. I wanted a reusable board that would stand up to child use and provide enough room for live action players to stand comfortably. I started by searching for used sheets via my friends, freecycle, etc. It didn't work out.

I ended up at the fabric store with a small budget. I discovered some heavy "eco felt" (made from recycled stuff) marked way down from it's usual price. Bingo!

 It was 72 inches wide and I bought 4 yards of black and 4 of white. My son and I cut out 64 eighteen inch squares (32 white, 32 black).

The next part was the most daunting part for me. Honestly, sewing 60 straight seams sounded tedious. Afriend volunteerd to help. (Thanks, L!!) Things are friendlier and quicker with two, and in one evening, fueled by chocolate mint fudge, we sewed 16 strips of four squares each, alternating black and white. We used 5/8 inch seams, but any seam size will do as long as it is consistent.

 

A few days later, I pressed the seams open so they wouldn't be bulky.

Then, I sewed four sets of four strips together with right sides together, being careful of the checkerboard pattern.  I ended up with four pieces of 16 squares each. Again, I used  5/8 inch seams.

 I had considered various options for connecting the four pieces. I thought of Velcro (too likely to gather dirt), zippers (expensive and time consuming at 6 ft each) and sewing. In the end, I borrowed a solution from a blogging buddy: Duct tape: (Check out: DIY Cheap and Chic Outdoor Area Rug). This solution allows for maintaining the board in four pieces which are easier to store than one whole and the pieces can be washed at home, rather than in the commercial size washers at the Laundromat.

To use this solution:

Put right sides of two pieces together, being careful to preserve the checkerboard pattern. Pin the seams together:

 For each square, stretch duct tape from seam to seam on one side.

 Lift and press the tape down on the other side, forming a seam. Remove pins.

 

Repeat this with the other two pieces, taking care that this new side matches the checkerboard on the other side.

 

Then, pin and duct tape the two sides together, being careful to remove the pins. You then have a ready to use chessboard:

 

We look forward to using our chessboard many times. I hope this is helpful if you ever need something similar.

What crafts have you made lately?

 

First six photos by J. Parry. Final Photo by J. Brown.

 

Respect

A friend of mine recently put out a call for respect. He felt the need to ask people to be courteous on some things he will be posting in the near future. I am actually on the opposite "side" of the "debate" that was the subject of my friend's call, but I back him on the idea of respect. Sadly, some Christians actually need that reminder and, even more sadly, there are some who wouldn't heed it, though I hope my friend doesn't run into any of those.

 

I Peter 3:14-16 tells us:

 

 "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

 

Peter is talking about the central message of  the gospel, which is understood by Christians to be  the most important thing that can be brought up in conversation. Eternal salvation depends on Jesus. Even when we are talking about that we are supposed to be gentle and respectful. If we are not we run the risk of giving Jesus a bad name.

 

It seems to me that this means we should do the same in any lesser debates. Nastiness, rudeness and pettiness should have no place. I admit that there have been times I haven't been perfect in this area especially when I have felt strongly about something, but I am trying to improve.

 

Remember, we don't always have to be right. God is, and that's what matters.

 

There are times when we need to enter the cultural debate and do our best to make changes. When there is hunger, slavery, injustice, exploitation of the poor or harm to the innocent we are called to speak up. Other times, we can focus on keeping ourselves and the Church on the right track and not worry about the secular world. We are only called to hold our brothers and sisters accountable, not non-Christians. We also must remember that even within the Church there are "disputable things" and we need to approach all conversations with humility.

 

May God guide us in all our conversations, debates and disputes.

 

 

Have a blessed day!!

 

Taking the Time

Recently I made  a batch of cookies for a friend. Actually, I did it twice. Here's why.

I was making chocolate chip cookies, which are high on my friend's list of tasty items. I made the cookies the day before I was to see him and his family.  The cookies came out so-so.

So-so cookies are edible but I decided I wanted something better for my friend. I did some reflecting on why sometimes my cookies come out fabulous and other times just OK. I realized that it was about time.

The first step to chocolate chip cookies is to cream the butter and sugar.  I had done it in a hurry this time and, therefor was not very thorough. I realized this had been the case other times when I had made so-so cookies.

I re- did the cookies. I took time. I mixed the dough all through chess club, handing it off to a young baker while I taught the strategy lesson. It worked. This batch came out great.

I decided to keep the time needed for various tasks in mind and to look at where I could cut so that I can give the needed time to necessary or especially desirable tasks throughout life. That task in itself will take time. But it will be worth it.

What are your thoughts on taking time for tasks? What lessons have you learned about doing well as you have tried things?

Vegan Baked Apples

Usually when I bake apples I fill the space where I have cut out the core with butter, brown sugar and raisins. Yesterday, though, we had vegan friends over and decided to have baked apples for dessert. Cooking oil didn't sound appetizing as butter alternative and neither did the vegan margarine I had on hand.

I looked around and realized that maple syrup might work. So I used that and raisins in the apples. I cooked them for 90 minutes at 275 degrees and then turned the oven down to warm for an hour until we were ready to eat them. They were actually quite good.

For Jordan's birthday party we had the same family over, so I did a second cake with a vegan cake mix, egg replacer and vegan margerine. I used a confectioner's sugar and water glaze as a frosting, and that cake served for several kids with allergies as well.

There are many forms of diversity and dietary philosophies and restrictions are one of them. It's fun to learn about how different people eat and use a variety of foods to accomodate their needs.


What types of diversity have you encountered lately?

Christians, Muslims, 9/11

It's the 11th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93. The attacks on America.


I am taking a class on Muslim beliefs that is designed for Christians, to promote understanding. I discovered that there are still mainstream people (there will always be people on the fringes) who believe that all Muslims supported those attacks, that Muslims are more militant than Christians, that Muslims want to take over the U.S.


Nothing could be further from the truth.

I didn't think it needed to be said anymore, but most Muslims think that Al Qeada and the Taliban are crazy. Just as most Christians think that extremists who promote violence in the name of Jesus are crazy.


I think of:

The Muslim girls who disappeared from the school I was teaching in back in 2001. The boys didn't wear anything special so they blended in and stayed. The girls, with their headscarves, were recognizable and their parents feared for their safety and kept them home. I prayed for a way to reach out to those girls. 

God answered that prayer by sending me Morsal. She was a tiny girl with Down Syndrome who lived across the street from the school. Her parents didn't realize that she could attend school in America, but we found her and her parents soon enrolled her in my Life Skills class. She was very excited to learn and her parents were pleased to give her the opportunity. 

Being new to the country, Morsal did not speak English. As the Muslim girls returned to school, I sought help from some from her country. They came to translate and help her learn about lockers and lunch time. I got to interact with them and learn of their hopes and fears. Morsal also gave them a way to reach out and helped them, and all of us, heal. 

I also think of:

The Muslim Mom in our homeschool group. She homeschools so her kids will have a better education, so that she can spend more time with them, and so that she can share her faith and values more easily. Basically, for the same reasons I homeschool. Her kids are bright and friendly and have a variety of interests.

One time my son and her son were bouncing on a trampoline. They got to arguing about who Jesus is. Eventually, they decided they would stick to their own religions and be friends. Perhaps an idea for all of us to consider?

Not that we shouldn't evangelize. We are supposed to share the gospel. Both Christianity and Islam are outreaching religions.  In America, that's allowed -- thanks be to God.

But we can live in peace with our neighbors, love our neighbors, whether we agree or not.

What do you think?

Ridiculous :)

So at CYC, as I told a parent picking up her child, we can be very serious about our silliness.

So I share a video that is fun and crazy. Even a bit weird.


A bit of background:

Every year for many decades the camps have sung to each other at our annual banquet. The songs are a mix of devotional, romantic and funny. Most of the songs sung are traditional ones, used repeatedly. More on that tomorrow.

About a decade ago, each camp started including a "secret song" in the serenade. Generally an upbeat, current song performed with musical effects and crazy choreography.

This year the Men of Camp Judson used Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Call Me, Maybe?" which is ..well, let's just say wildly popular. They had ridiculous dance moves for it and made it look rather fun. In fact, it was so cool, that one of the faculty decided to make a music video of the song featuring each of the boys lip syncing. She played it at the talent show and the kids loved it.

So, here, Christian men having fun. Just to show you that we don't spend ALL of our time in serious pursuits.

As our men's director frequently reminds us:  "Laughter is prayer."

Tagged!

I got tagged in this game by two people. Holly Rousseau of Aggravation Station and Patricia Swanepoel of Living Life, My Way. I am going to respond to both at once. :)

The rules are simple. There are only four of them:

   1. Post the rules

   2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for me in her post.

   3. Create 11 new questions to ask those who I'm going to tag.

   4. Tag 11 people on the Facebook page with a link to this point.

Holly asked me:

1.  What are your guilty pleasures (you know those ones you love but are ashamed to admit) for the following:  Movie, Music and TV show.  Movie – Desert Warrior, the worst movie ever made, Music –I am pretty eclectic in my tastes, but don’t think I feel ashamed of any of it, TV Show Wife Swap (though I don’t even know if it is still on.)

2.  What's one thing you did as a child/teenager that you know disappointed your parents? Lied about my struggles in middle school English (brought about due to laziness)

3.  If you could have one super power, what would it be? Flying, I think. That would be fun and the views would be awesome.

4.  What is your biggest fear? Being insignificant, I’d say

5.  If you could go for a beer or coffee with any one person, dead or alive, living or fictional, who would it be? Ann Hasseltine, the missionary woman from the early 1800s whom I reenact.

6.  What song do you want played at your funeral? Amazing Grace on the bagpipes would be beautiful or “My Jesus I Love Thee”

7.  What's one mundane thing you have to day just about every single day that you wish you could do without? Laundry

8.  What talent do you wish you possessed that you currently don't? The ability to wow a crowd with public speaking

9.  What did you wear to your high school prom?  Describe your outfit. It was a flowered pink dress with a very full, floor-length skirt and short puffy sleeves.

10.  If you didn't require extra training or schooling, what would your dream job be? Missionary

11.  What is your favourite household chore? Gardening, if that counts

Patricia asked:

1. What is the best and worst memory of your childhood? My best memories are of camp, especially the love I felt at New England Baptist Youth Conference (now Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park) Worst – being bullied and called a prostitute in jr. high school.

2. Who was your first crush? James Fogg, third grade. I have no idea where he is now.

3. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go? Burma, the adopted land of Adoniram Judson and Ann Hasseltine (and I get to go in Dec. 2013!)

4. What is your idea of paradise? Hours on an ocean beach with some alone time and some friends coming and going

5. What is the most important thing you have ever done in your life? Made the decision to follow Christ

6. What are six words your friends would use to describe you? Easily flustered, geeky, organizer, strong, persistent, religious

7. Who was your favorite teacher in school and why? I had a lot of good teachers. I’ll say Paul Goodhue. I never took his class, but he explained other teachers’ assignments well. (and he was a fabulous Sunday School teacher)

8. If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? A world tour by boat

9. If you were to be reincarnated, what would you come back as?  A frog, I think. They must have a cool perspective on the world.

10. Who is the most important person in your life? Jesus, followed by my son and husband

11. Do you have any pets? What are they and what are your most favorite memories of them? I don’t have any, but I will be getting my son a Betta fish.

Now the eleven (!) questions I'd like my fellow bloggers to answer for me are: 

1. Where is your happy place?
2. What hobby do you indulge in?
3. If you could eat one food every day without negative consequences what would it be?
4. What would be essential for you to have on a desert island with you?
5. How did you choose your favorite color?
6. Do you dance? What kind of dancing?
7. What is one issue you are passionate about?
8. What is your favorite real life animal story?
9. What book has made an impact on your life?
10. What do you think is the most important thing to teach children?
11. What mode of travel do you like best?

Now the tagging thing. (Please note: Only play if you want to. No obligation.)

Loralle Hutton, Portable Business Lifestyle

Debra Jason, The Write Direction

Connie Mitan, Sunfire's Ramblings

Donald Borsen, Rebooting this Crazy Life

Jackie Bledsoe, Jackie Bledsoe, Jr.

Steve Rice, True Spiritual Awakening

Riki Cleveland, Refreshingly Riki

Salvatore Constantino, The Daily Retort

Roy A. Ackerman, Cerebrations

Debra Gray Walter, The Romantic Vineyard

Alessa Bertoluzzi -- Carolina Heartstrings

Have fun with that.... and if anyone else wants to answer the questions, I'd love to get to know you a little better, too.

Thanks!

Why Go to Camp?

Kids going to summer camp has been part of the American landscape for generations. In tough economic times, is it worth the investment? I think so!!

Scott Merrow, Resident Director of Oceanwood Camp and Conference Center, offers his thoughts. He is speaking of his own facility, but this type of experience is replicated in camps around the country.

Often, one of the difficulties we have encountered is articulating the value of the experience that takes place in our community. Over the past few months we have spent considerable time interviewing campers, groups, staff and alumni in an effort to better define the intangibles of the Oceanwood culture. It is clear to us that though our property is unique, that it is the people that make Oceanwood truly special.  The tranquil, awe-inspiring location, the proximity to the ocean, the pines that guard this place, it's all-spectacular.  

But it is the warmth of the community, the connection to God, and the culture of support, acceptance and family that keep people coming back each summer. In the year 2012, the age of the Internet and social media, the world seems to pass by so quickly, leaving us limited time to slow down and re-energize our bodies, revitalize our spirits, and reconnect with our families and our faith.  At Oceanwood, we make time for all of this - that is the difference.  We gather around campfires and sing songs together.  We sit down at the dinner table with 100 of our closest friends and share wonderful conversation during a meal.  We serve God - we volunteer, lend a hand and give of ourselves.  We love our family and friends.  We are kind.  We share stories, experiences, and laughter.  We support each other in our faith and we worship together.  We learn and discover, we gain independence, we build lasting friendships, we develop character, we experience God and nature, we grow and change and take positive risks.  We meet different types of people and become part of a true community, practicing forgiveness, compassion and acceptance.

Camps change lives - - giving children, teens, families, adults opportunities to connect with friends, each other and God while exploring their talents and learning new things. A setting that is simpler than usual and full of chances to be in nature adds to the value.


Check this out:

Have you been to camp? Will you be sending your kids this summer?

Oceanwood is host to the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, the camp I have been part of since 1979. I've also attended Grotonwood, Oceanwood, Rainbow Camp and the American Baptist National Youth Camp. I'm kind of a pro-camp person.

Friends Like That

Me: "I need a place to sleep south of Boston tonight."
Friend: "That's doable. Come on down."

So I packed a change of clothes, appropriate for my early AM meeting and drove down. No notice, nothing.

I arrived in the middle of a video and got invited to join in by the young boy, who snuggled me. (I miss MY little boy, off on a Florida adventure, so this was a blessing.) I got a bed, I got cookies, I got conversation, I borrowed a travel mug.


I don't deserve friends like that. I really don't. But everyone should have friends like that, deserved or not. And I suppose that means everyone should be a friend like that. There is the old adage that says "to have a friend you must first be one." Benjamin Franklin said, "Do good to your friends to keep them, to your enemies to win them" and Proverbs 27:10 begins: "Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family."

So I am going to be thinking about how to be a better friend. How about you?

Who's Going to See This?

This morning my teabag tag read "Never write a wrong."

It put me in mind of a historical incident my son and I read about. In John Adams David McCullough describes a private letter written by Mr. Adams during the second continental congress. In it he described John Dickinson, the respected leader of those opposed to separation from England, in an uncomplimentary light and referred to him as a "piddling genius." The letter was intercepted by Tories and widely published, causing great harm to Adams' reputation and social life.

Even if such things do stay private, it would probably be best never to have written them, to be more charitable. (Of course, speaking out intentionally in public about a systemic injustice such as slavery or a dangerous activity like texting while driving is something else.) But it adds a whole new level when we are "caught."

It has become almost cliche to say that what you post will be around forever and might be seen by anyone, but a lot of people still ignore this fact, despite embarassing accidents. I have seen a lot of things, in a number of formats, online and otherwise that make me wonder if the person might end up regretting saying such a thing. Maybe I have been more careless than I should have been at times, too.

Beyond embarrasment, there are bosses, volunteer leaders and others who check Facebook, MySpace and Google before making staffing decisions. What we post can affect our lives in more ways than one.

<sup>And I think these verses apply to what we write as well as to what we say:


James 3:3-11
3</sup> When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

 ⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
 ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.




What are your thoughts?