Vacation Bible School 2012

 As a busy pastor I do not get much of a chance to be with the children of the church and the community. But each year during Vacation Bible School I get to dance, sing and play with the children.

This year has been wonderful and I have so enjoyed this chance to do something beyond my normal role.

I believe that I have the very best job in the world!

Just Connie

Camping and Coyotes

I lay in the tent sick, sick, sick from a reaction to a bee sting. I had finally drifted off to sleep when I was suddenly awakened by a horrible scream. I sat up searching for the flashlight in the dark as the coyotes began to yip and howl. As my heart rate began to come back to normal I realized that the coyotes had taken down something just yards from my tent.

By then Hope Puppy was barking and growling, I tried to pacify her as I settled back down in my sleeping bag. She laid next to me and growled as I tried to get my complaining body comfortable. It was only about 5 minutes later when I realized that I had to "HAD TO" make my way back to the outhouse. I unzipped the tent and stepped into the darkness with my flashlight and that is when ..... my flashlight died. Carrying  the flashlight like a club I tried to make my way in the moonless night. it was about then that Hope began growling. I put my hand on her collar as I made my way up the hill looking for the gleam of coyote eyes as I walked. I dragged Hope with me every step of the way.

I have to admit that it was about then that I began to wonder about the wisdom of my plan of camping by myself. As I shakily made my way back to the tent, I kept looking in the dark as I pulled Hope still growling back to the tent. I was flooded with relief as I zipped the tent back up.

As I settled back into my sleeping bag I was filled with the absolute sense of how ridiculous my situation was. Sick, by myself and circled by coyotes .... when were the locusts going to arrive? I whispered another prayer as I pulled Hope Puppy close to me.

As the sun began to come up I finally drifted back to sleep. And somehow everything seemed better in the light of day.

It has got me to thinking about how helpless we often feel in the dark times, it can be hard to see solutions and sometimes the fear is debilitating. but in the presence of the light everything changes. The hidden becomes clear and fear is destroyed.

More than ever, I want to walk in the light and I want the presence of the light to go with me ... even in the dark times.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   John 8:12

Just Connie

Attack of the Killer Bee

The pain was quick and sharp, followed by a burning sensation. I frantically swatted at my face and that was when I realized I had just been stung by a bee. Not being too concerned I got a cold cloth, checked in the mirror to make sure the stinger was out and took some benedryl.

Looking in the mirror at my swelling face I told myself I was a baby and a whiner and decided to go for a short walk. About half way across the field I got tired and shaky. I sat down and told myself I was getting old and headed back to camp.

During the course of the day I was tired, shaky and did not feel real good, but I was dedicated to my plan of relaxing and tried to go on with a normal day. At dusk as the mosquitoes began to get vicious I decided to take my book and the lantern in the tent and read myself to sleep. About midnight I woke up sick, sick, sick. Over the next 6 hours I shivered and shook as my body rid itself of anything I had ingested from the last month or so.

In the early morning light I finally fell asleep for a couple hours. I woke up feverish and feeling kind of miserable. Over the next few hours I slowly packed up my camp. It was slow because I would pack a few things and then lay down, pack a few more things and lay down. But finally everything was packed and I drove home and crawled into bed.

By Monday I knew I needed to see the doctor. I knew because my nagging mother insisted on it not because I was smart enough to figure it out. But I was not really surprised to find out I was having a systemic allergic reaction to the bee sting from the doctor. I was surprised though to find out I also had a raging infection at the site of the bee sting.

So here I am on a couple of days bed rest and a pile of medications to treat both the allergic reaction and the infection. I have to admit that it feels good to lay low this afternoon.

So I guess the question is what did I learn from this? I would say that I learned my mother is always right, but I certainly would not want to give her that kind of ammunition. So I guess I will be looking for other life lessons in the experience.

Got any insight for me?

Just Connie

Camping Images

Hope enjoying meadow fun

My tent and camping spot

one of my horse friends

More horse friends

Port Townsend

I just got back from a trip .... an 800 mile trip. It is really unusual for me to take a trip by myself. I just have not got in the habit of traveling on my own. But I was asked over a year ago to officiate a wedding in Port Townsend Washington. I said yes, not understanding that as the date came closer, the distance seemed farther and farther away. And I got more and more nervous.

But Friday I packed up the car and headed north ... 6 hours north to be exact. Port Townsend was beautiful. I have to say that I felt very adventurous to be out on my own. I actually found my way to Port Townsend without problems and then made it across town to the park where the wedding was going to be at.

I was stunned by the beauty of Port Townsend and was amazed at how different it was from Willamina. Everywhere you looked there were beautiful gardens and sparkling vistas of water.

I have to admit that I am glad that I pushed myself to make the effort to go. It awakened in me the desire to do some traveling on my own. I really think I could design some inexpensive trips that would allow me to push the boundaries that I have drawn around myself for the last 4 years.

There is a whole world out there just waiting for me.

Am I brave enough to discover it?

Just Connie

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Independence Day. Besides it being our country's birthday, it is a very very busy day for me. It will begin by reporting to Fendall Hall at 6:00 in the morning to help the Kiwanis serve breakfast.

Then I will head to the church where I will help set up the booths for the town celebration. The church sells elephant ears, hot dogs and soda every year. It raises ministry money for the entire year. This year we will also have a couple of new booths so there will be a lot of set up to do.

At 11:00 I will head to the park for the Kiss the Pig finale. The "winner" of the contest will kiss the pig. We have raised over a thousand dollars to help build the playground at the pond, so it will be worth it. I met the pig today .... I guess I have kissed worse.

Following that it is back to the church to work the booths and to decorate the float for the parade. By the time we finish it will be time to report to the parade grounds to line up for the parade. And then  ... parade time which is always lots and lots of fun.

By the time the parade is done, it is time to head to the church and get everything cleaned up. Following that I will have just enough time to drive home, grab a blanket and head to the stadium for the town fireworks.

I know it will be a busy, exhausting and wonderful day.

I can hardly wait!

Just Connie