Thanksgiving

Here it is the day after Thanksgiving & I'm just getting around to telling you about it! For those that may not know we celebrate our Thanksgiving at camp. The ministry provides the turkeys & a ham. Everyone who comes provides a side dish or two or three. We all have our usual items & then sometimes we try a new dish. This year I just did 2 of my 3 usual dishes. Wednesday evening I made a white fruit cake. Now I would tell you I'm not a big fan of fruit cake but this cake is different than your usual fruit cake. It's almost like a pound cake with the dried fruit & pecans in it. I also make Sally Lunn bread but I wait until Thanksgiving morning to make that. You see there is nothing like straight out of the oven bread.

Knowing the bread would take a while & that I wanted to be up to the dining room by 11, I was up at 6:30 yesterday morning. Shampooed my hair before starting the bread so kept my hair up in the towel until the bread was made. That way I was pretty sure no hair would be in the bread. Had the bread going by 7 & it was rising by about 7:15. After getting the dishes in the dishwasher, I sat down to have my Bible reading. I'm using a "read the Bible through in a year" plan. This is probably the 6-7 year, I have done so. I read 4 chapters a day & actually finish reading before the year is finished. So instead of reading the NT 2x like the plan suggests, I just go back to the OT & start again. Currently I am in 2 Chronicles. Yesterday I was reading chapters 21-24 and ran across something interesting...something I don't remember ever reading before. In chapter 21 verse 20 we read a brief summary of Jehoram becoming king of Judah...he was Jehoshaphat's son. He was 32 when he became king & reigned 8 years. The verse goes on to say (& this is what intrigued me) "and he departed with no one's regret". I thought that is sad...no one missed him. Then I thought about my life and wondered what would be my 4 word summary after reading she departed.... I don't want my departure plastered over the front page of the newspaper or be shouted from the TV set. I wondered will I have made a difference in a Bible club girl's life. She may not remember my name (or maybe not even remember that she came to Bible club) but will she learn from me that Jesus loves her? Will she come to know the Lord as her Savior because of something she has seen modeled in my life? Will she feel "safe" while in Bible club? I also thought about camp. When the campers see me doing my job, will they see that I love the Lord? Even though I'm not a counselor & able to be with the campers during the day, when they see me will they see a smile on my face & see that I'm loving loving the Lord & doing the small, minute jobs needed to be done. I don't want to be thrust into the camping program...I'm more of a work in the background person...but I do interact with campers quite a bit. When they've grown up & think back to their summers at camp, prayerfully they'll remember that I love the Lord...they may not remember my name and that's definitely alright with me...but will they remember there was a peace, calm, contentment that only the Lord can give.

After my reading (& thinking) was finished, I thought I'd rest while the bread was finishing rising. I knew it would be a long day. I hoped I would fall asleep but was unable to. When the timer beeped, letting me know the bread was finished, I put the dough into the bundt pan. Set that to rise for the last time. Put the mixing bowl in the dishwasher. And finished my preparations for the day. Where my hair had been in the towel, it did not look the best & I couldn't do anything else with it.

Finally the bread has risen & baked. I put it on the cooling rack, stuck the cooling rack on top of the platter I would set the bread on, called John & asked if he could come down from the dining room to help me carry things up. He did. We took up some cranberry juice (which I don't think was ever set out to drink), the fruit cake and bread. I cut the bread & cake while waiting in the dining room.

There were not many people that came this year. The staff & families, and friends & former staff children came. If I have listed everyone correctly there were only 45 people. My mother's cousin's children came. When a big deal was made to the oldest son about them being there, he said well what else would we do. We've done this too long to not continue coming for Thanksgiving. He & I were able to talk during lunch. Currently he does not have a job but is house sitting for some friends who own 2 houses & are trying to decide on which one to settle. When his brother needed to leave, he left with him but came back in time for supper.

There were no crafts this year...the children went outside & raked a big pile of leaves. Then they spent the afternoon jumping into them. It was fun watching them have fun. The game "Apples to Apples" appeared & 2 good games ensued. I came close to winning the first game. The second game, I was nowhere near winning.

During the game, the leftovers were brought out & stuck in the oven to warm up. Even though none of us were hungry we still ate a little when it was time. The children (under 13 years) were the only hungry ones.

After eating, I came down to the house to get some powdered sugar. Funnel cakes were being made & there was no powdered sugar in the kitchen. As I was exiting the dining room (to come here), I heard that we would be able to see the space shuttle & space station in a little while. I thought they had said 7, so called my sister so she could let her 7 year old look. I told her I would call her when I got back to the dining room, I'd ask to see what time it would go over. As I left the house, I saw there were people standing around outside. In a few minutes we could see the lights from the shuttle & station going over. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get my sister called in time to let her know it was earlier than I had thought.

After taking care of the dishes we came home. John was not feeling well. He had not felt well all day. Very shortly the nauseousness overtook him & he spent 2 rounds of 30-45 minutes each in the bathroom. I looked in our medicines but we had nothing for an upset stomach. So I grabbed the flashlight, my set of camp keys & went up to the dining room to see if the first aid station had something. There was a bottle of Pepto (well generic). I brought it down to the house & started giving it to John. His stomach finally calmed down enough to let him sleep. He slept for almost 10 hours & is once again sleeping.

Thanksgiving Meal

It's not even Thanksgiving & we've already had 2 Thanksgiving meals. I'm not a big fan of turkey so this season is one in which I get my fill for a while.

Tonight was the annual Thanksgiving dinner at Girls Inc. We were invited and John is usually asked to give the invocation. Usually he tries to "sneak" the plan of salvation into his prayer. Today he didn't but did ask the Lord to grow these girls into productive women. I heard a few "Amens" and "yes" to that.

Mother was able to go with us. When we arrived we were allowed to go on back to the gym & take a seat. We did and were able to sit with a few girls who come to Bible Club. One's grandmother & great grandmother were there with her. The other girl's mother was coming at 5. She was quite worried that her mother would not arrive. Her mother did arrive at 5 (like promised). As we were leaving, I introduced myself to her mother & commented that she is so well-behaved during Bible Club.

One man who I guess could be called a philanthropist has opened a savings account for each girl who attends Girls Inc. Today he announced that a pot was being created which contained $500. Each girl who made 2 deposits (of at least 25 cents/deposit) into her savings account between the first of November (2 had already made deposits) and the end of February, would be automatically entitled to some of the money in the pot - which would be put into their savings accounts. The girls were excited and one even said she had some money to put in her account. Also the girls who are new this year are to see the ladies in charge & they will make sure each girls gets her own savings account. Then one little girl (who comes to Bible club) played a song on her kazoo. I'm not sure what the song is but think it might have been called "The Climb". John then prayed.

Tables were dismissed one at a time to go through the line. We ended up at the table which was 3rd through the line. There was turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, macaroni & cheese, green beans, corn, sweet potatoes & bread. There were many desserts. We chose the cheesecake which had chocolate chips on it. Mother had pumpkin pie. One little girl (a kindergartener) at our table also had pumpkin pie. I enjoyed watching her. She would eat with her fork but get food all over her hands. Her napkin was on top of the table. But she didn't need it. She would just reach down & wipe her hands on her pants. I hoped it was all dry before her mother took her home.

Throughout the meal, other girls would come up & request to sing a song. The CEO allowed them to sing. They all did a good job.

We left & brought Mother home. Then went to Kroger. The parking lot was packed. I wanted to get my last minute groceries (as did all the other car drivers) and also a turkey which was 39 cents a pound if you had a $25 or more purchase. I knew we had that amount no problem. We got a 12+ pound turkey for under $5. I have stuck it in the freezer for after Thanksgiving. It will be good - when we are away from Thanksgiving for a few days/weeks.

Now my plans are to get a load of dishes going before turning in for the night. Tomorrow morning, I see the dentist at 10.30 & then will make my items for Thursday. I'm making Sally Lunn Bread & a white fruit cake. I realized after getting home from Kroger that I purchased almonds instead of pecans. So I don't know what I will do. Maybe run back to Kroger & get pecans. I was being so careful to make sure I left with pecans too... Oh well at least that was the only wrong item.

If I don't see you before Thursday...have a wonderful day filled with thanks for the many wonderful blessings which we have....the greatest being eternal life.

Bible Club Week 8

Thursday we arrived at Bible Club not knowing where club would be held. We had been praying we would have a room in which to meet (so I could have a few minutes to get set up) but were prepared just in case we were once again located in the kitchen. As I was signing in, the activities director came out & told us we would be holding club in a room - it was an office belonging to one of the volunteers.

The director took us to our room. To get there we had to go through the gym. The girls were so excited to see us. They came running to give us a hug. In previous years club has lasted until 5:15. Last week I had dismissed them at 5:15 & they had come back telling me they were dismissed too early. So I asked the activities director what time I needed to let them go. They're now going until 5:30..."oh", I said, "I was under the impression we were going until 5:15". "We realized that" she replied. "And today it'll be okay to let them go early...we're having Great American Smoke out activities" - this is geared toward warning the children the dangers of smoking. Well fortunately I always take a book which I can share with them if I have extra time.

The office has windows on the front wall & a big mirror on the back wall. We spent some time trying to decide whether to set the stools up so they looked out the window, looked at the mirror or were facing the side walls & could look at the mirror or out the window. We decided setting them up to look out the window probably had the least danger. This office is very well protected from the gym noise. We could hear the girls as they played but their voices were muffled. Occasionally we could tell that a ball had hit the other side of the mirrored wall but it was not a loud sound.

The girls were finally dismissed for activities. Since they were doing special activities with the smoke out campaign, we only had 5 girls. If I had thought about it when we were earlier told they were having special activities for that campaign, I would have just canceled for this week & waited until next week.

We were on Day Three of Sunday School Charlie & "The Mystery of the Golden Key". Charlie & Red have decided they are going to find out if Muscle Mike has the key to the treasure chest. They decide to sneak out of the cabin at 11 pm & go to Mike's cabin. There they will be able to go through his clothes & see if he has the key in his pocket. Charlie is worried that they will get caught. He doesn't want to go swimming (which is his favorite activity). The worrying is ruining his enjoyment of camp. That night in chapel, they learn that a Christian's testimony is evidenced in his words, works & worship. The girls loved pointing out that those words all started with wor. That night during cabin devotions, Charlie reads a verse which says "Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night..." He knows that verse is just for him & requests prayer that he won't be afraid of the terror by night. He & Red wait until 11 & then sneak out of the cabin. As they get to Livingstone Lodge, where Mike is staying, they see a shadow sneak out of the cabin. This is where the story ended for this week. The girls are disappointed that they will have to wait 2 weeks before hearing what happens next.

John lead them in several songs. I cannot even begin to remember what they sang. They loved singing. They even requested songs which John sang with them.

While they were singing, I got the board set up for "Lightning Strike" the review game for today. There were circles scattered on the flannel board. The girls would pick a circle & it had either points or a cloud with lightning coming from it. If it was points the girls would get the points but if it was a cloud with lightning the girls lost their points from just that turn. The directions stated that the girls could go an unlimited amount of turns but I just gave them an option of 3 times. If they got the lightning bolt on turn 1 or 2, their turn was over. They loved the game. There are also funnel clouds & kites which I will put up the next time we play. If they get the funnel cloud, all the points they had gotten on that turn were given to the other team. If they get the kite (in honor of Benjamin Franklin) they get extra points (maybe 2000). By the time we were playing the game, we only had 3 girls left. During the game 2 girls left. When the 2nd girl left, we took the last girl with her & found some place to stick her until 5:30. She joined in the activities. The activities director was thankful we had had the thought to put her in with other girls. We told the director we thought she would do better with other girls (this was in front of the girl) but we were thinking of protecting ourselves & the club.

As soon as we started playing, one of the little girls raised her hand & asked if we would come to her church on 12/6 to hear her sing. I think we are going to try to go. She told me where she goes to church but didn't know what time the program started on the 6. I know a lady who goes to that church so will email her & ask what time the program is.

On our way out of Bible club, we saw the CEO of the local Girls Inc. and asked her how the regional meeting had gone. She said great. They had earned an award this year. We congratulated her & then asked if they had had any feedback on Bible Club. She said several had asked about it as they toured the facilities. She told them that they had discovered in this area, the girls responded so well to hearing Jesus loves them. When they had learned that they couldn't not give the girls the opportunity to hear Jesus loves me. And wasn't that what their purpose was to give the girls every advantage/opportunity they could provide. They would be amiss if they didn't give the girls this opportunity when they knew the girls responded so well to it. We are not going to apologize for Bible club.

We left and went to Mom & Dad's. We were going to the Thanksgiving dinner at church with them. Judith came also. We sat with Jan, Larry, Rebecca & a Korean couple. He pastors a Korean church in the area. At the end of each sermon, he gives a 5 minute summary of the sermon in English. Larry mentioned he was glad he didn't have to give a 5 minute summary in any other language...he wouldn't do well with it at all.

Now we look forward to this next week. Preparing our home for the heat pump installation the week after Thanksgiving. Preparing for the Thanksgiving meal at camp on Thursday. Attending the Girls Inc. Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday evening. It will be good to see family & friends we haven't seen since last Thanksgiving. It will be good to make new friends also.

Bible Club Week 7

We arrived at Bible Club a little early this afternoon - which is fine...it gives me time to get everything set up. As I was signing in, John took the easel & flannel board to the teen room which is where we meet. One of the activity directors told him we would be meeting in the kitchen today. The teens just earned the teen room back & she didn't want to make them leave early. So meeting in the kitchen met we didn't have time to get set up. There are 2 grandmother age ladies (of course for most of these girls these ladies might be great-grandmother aged) who prepare a snack for the girls. Today's snack was ramen noodles. Yesterday they had had ravioli.

We sat out in the hall & waited for the ladies to sweep & mop the kitchen floor. While we were waiting, we heard quite loud sobs coming from the gym. One girl was curled up sobbing her heart out. An older girl went over to her & tried to get her involved in the activities. The sobbing girl said, "No, I don't want to play...You don't understand. My daddy's girlfriend broke up with him. When she left, she took all his stuff & all my stuff too." I quietly said a prayer for this girl, her siblings, father & mother - who, even though she does not live with her daughter's father, would probably have to deal with this grief later this evening.

Then as the girls were being dismissed to activities we were able to enter the kitchen. Fortunately John had snuck in there & set the board up while the ladies were cleaning. But I didn't have a chance to get my figures separated. Well they were in the order they were to be used - I just like to put them with the page on which they're used...and didn't have time today. Since we were in a new location, the girls were antsy. They did not want to sit still. We got through the story. Chapter 2 of "The Mystery of the Golden Key". Upon being awakened at 6.30 a.m., Charlie is excited to remember he is at camp. He & Red get ready for the day. In chapel that morning, they hear the story of Joseph. He was betrayed, blamed & then blessed. Charlie hopes that if he is ever betrayed & then blamed for something he didn't do, he will be able to remember God is in control and will work good from this. The boys leave chapel & have fun the rest of the day. In their evening devotions, the counselor tells them that the golden key which unlocks the treasure chest is missing. Charlie & Red wonder if Muscle Mike found it before supper. They had seen him pick up something from the grass. The girls were disappointed that the story was over for the day.

John came up & led in some songs. "Stop & Go", "Let's Talk About Jesus", "Thy Word Have I Hid in my Heart" and a few others. While he was leading them in songs, I was getting the review game set up. I had accidentally brought "Feeding Gilbert" again.

We dismissed the girls & went to Food City. The group that came early this spring is coming back this weekend to finish one project they were not able to get finished because of the rain the time they were here. They are going to roof one of the cabins. We are feeding them lunch & supper tomorrow. Definitely breakfast on Saturday. Not sure about lunch but if we do will probably order pizza or something similar. Aunt BJ's lasagne was requested for lunch so we got the ingredients for that. We will do sandwiches for supper. I purchased a pork tenderloin at FC yesterday & prepared it in the crock pot last night. For noon today, I had pulled it all off the bone & added barbecue sauce. We had bbq sandwiches. There was "tons" of the bbq left over. We're thinking of offering that plus a few cold cut options we purchased. Breakfast on Saturday will be biscuits & gravy.

It is late. My eyes are heavy. Praying we have sunshine & nice weather this weekend.

Pigeon Forge

Yesterday we were able to get away for the afternoon. We would have left sooner but I had a few errands to run for the ministry. They took about an hour. On our last stop, John realized he did not have his wallet. So we went home before leaving town.

Unfortunately it rained all day. The only vehicles we saw on the road on the way to Pigeon Forge were trucks - maybe a handful of cars. The trucks created quite a big splash as they passed us or as we passed them.

The first stop we made in Pigeon Forge was at the Russell Stover outlet store. They always have samples. The samples yesterday were the cream filled chocolates. I don't care for those.

Then we went to the Christmas store. I like that store. It was packed.

We stopped at one of the malls, drove into Gatlinburg but did not get out, then came back to PF. We stopped at a leather store, ate supper & then started back home. It was raining quite hard on the way back. We were glad to get home. But it was good to get away.

Today we have not done much. We went to Penney's to look for some jeans for John.

John is at choir practice now. I am home. But will return to church in a few minutes to get him. Hopefully the vehicles won't be parked at the construction company that were there when I got back home. I was a little scared & almost went to my parents.

Tomorrow is Bible club. I'm looking forward to seeing the girls.

Saturday

Yesterday started bright & early. We left the house at 7:30 a.m. to be at the local Marriott at 8 for breakfast. We got there a little before 8 & were met by the CEO of the local Girls Inc. She saw us before we had stepped from the hallway into the room set up for the breakfast. "There's the Wagners", we heard. And she came out, hugged us & told us to sit at one of the 3 reserved tables at the front of the room.

Sitting with us were a board member, the bookkeeper (his son was in the band with me - in high school - and graduated a year before me), the "coach", and an office lady. Mr. O & I reminisced about high school days. He said he always looked forward to loading the flutes & piccolos on the bus. They (the band parents) would save those until the end b/c they were so light.

At the 2 tables facing the room were a Girls Inc. parent & her daughter, who opened the conference in prayer, our county mayor, the national Girls Inc. president, a podium, the local CEO, the keynote speaker, the local Girls Inc. board president & then the newest board member who had been an employee of Girls Inc. for the past 2-3 years.

After the prayer, about 6 girls sang a song. I had never heard the song before so cannot tell you the name. Then the mayor welcomed everyone to the state & more specifically our county. The Girls Inc. president was next. She made her welcoming remarks & stated how she really liked this region's meetings. This region is comprised of 7 states.

The local CEO stood up, gave her welcoming remarks & let everyone know the food was coming. We were then served a plate which had 4 quesadilla wedges. Each one had scrambled eggs & cheese plus a different item. One had zucchini & summer squash. One had mushroom. I ate a few bites of the 3 but could not finish it or the 4. I do not remember what the other 2 had. There were salsa & sour cream on the table so you could top your quesadilla. Also 2 slices of bacon were on each plate. Orange juice & coffee were served.

The keynote speaker spoke on the local weed & seed program. It is intended to clear out the drugs & replace with responsible adults. They have events geared for the community which police officers are invited to attend. This way children learn that police are their friends & the children can tell them anything. Before children in these communities thought police just came out to arrest people for drugs. The speaker has a MS in history & has taught at a college for years. She is now the leader of this weed & seed program. She is organizing a place where children can learn more about what they like, such as if a child likes computers they can come & find out all the different ways computers can be used other than for looking at things they shouldn't. She said, "I want these children to grow up to be tax-paying citizens." If they like something we should encourage them so they realize they can earn money (& pay taxes) following that dream. I had heard about this program & was encouraged to hear of the potential.

After her speech we were introduced along with the others at the first 3 tables. And then were dismissed. I am not sure what else was happening yesterday but know they were going to the local Girls Inc. for a tour that evening. They were to dress western for the evening & drinks would be served with a snack buffet I'm sure. Afterward the board members would be transporting, via the Girls Inc. vans, everyone back to the hotel. They did let the participants know the 3 local restaurants where music would be playing. The vans would also transport to those restaurants & back to the hotels. That was an alternative to going back & being stuck in the hotel.

We said our good-byes & came back to camp. I went back to the office & could not get the printer to print. John came up & worked on it until our staff lunch & meeting. When that was over, we went back to the office. I to finish my Friday ending of the week & John to try to get the printer working. We could not. It is hooked up wirelessly. The only way we could get it to work was to plug it directly into the computer. So right now it is behind me. We hope to get a man from church to come look at it. He did this sort of thing at Eastman.

We have Tuesday & Wednesday off this coming week. We hope to go to Pigeon Forge on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to that. I want to look in the Christmas store. I think that is my favorite part of going to Pigeon Forge...well other than getting away for a day. I also like looking at the antique stores. It's been forever (or so it seems) since we've been there so it'll be interesting to see how the area has changed.

It's Thursday

We have no Bible club today. I have felt kind of lost without having it to prepare for & then lead. But I have gotten several things accomplished today.

John has been finishing up the outside priming of the house. He had help when he was priming the front of the house but there is no help now. He was close to the end today. I kind of thought that it would be difficult...with him having to stand on the ladder & paint above his head. So stayed at home to be able to run out & hold the ladder for him. I was called upon a few times. Now just to get it painted. The weather is getting cooler. We are praying that the weather stays nice long enough for him to get it painted before winter sets in. I'm not an expert at home improvement projects...but I can't imagine it would be good to prime the house & then wait 4-6 months before painting. It would seem the primer would have to be put back up.

I have cleaned our dining room. That is the room in which we do our Bible study homework. Since our study is over until after Christmas, I decided to get it picked up in there. It looks a lot better than it has.

We also had a man come & give an estimate for putting in a heat pump. He did not give us any paperwork though. John had experience working with this company before (when he was in the electrical field). He & his fellow electrical workers were not very impressed with the company.

Tomorrow we go to a Girls Inc. regional meeting. It starts with breakfast. We'll have to leave early to come & be here at the house for another estimate. One of the companies which work on the camp's walk-in cooler also installs heat pumps. I had called them last week & they were to call me Monday to let me know what time they would be out to give us an estimate. They never called. I called them today & the lady said that when they had come out Friday (to do some cooler repair work) they had taken care of that. Well come to find out, the man who was going to do the estimate said he had been told we would call him.

Dave Ramsey's class is tomorrow evening & then Saturday. The first Saturday I have had off in a month. I am looking forward to being able to stay home.