Round and Round We Go

Well, the "big wheel" is turning! The activities of the school year have started and there's no turning back. The boys are both heavily involved in school; Tamra's keeping them, me, the houshold and herself going; and I'm gearing up for whatever comes next.

As you can see in the first day of school picture, the boys are still running very close to being "more taller than Dad." Collin has me by at least an inch and Adam by 3-4 (depending on how much I slouch). Collin said many of the kids asked him what happened and how did he get so tall? (I told him to say that it came from Dad, but I haven't heard that yet.)

Adam is still working at Arby's and will continue to work as much as he can until basketball season. Then, he will probably just work Saturdays. As you can see from the picture, he continues to practice the "jam." He still would like a couple more inches to be consistent at it, but we'll see what happens.

Collin is out for 8th grade football and has survived the first week of practice. The team had a watermelon feed after today's practice and the boys seemed to have no problem inhaling watermelon. There was also a tug of war contest, in case they hadn't expended enough energy.

Tamra found a German Shepherd puppy so we lost her attention and assistance with the watermelon serving immediately. The puppy was thrilled with all the attention. Tamra has been working a couple days a week at Bird's CPA office (it's not so "taxing" to her now that she has the hang of it).

I'm still carrying my camera around and waiting for my big break. (You know the photo that will win me the free trip to Alaska to cover the wildlife of our largest state.) So far, my winnings have been having a few of my pictures published in the KDWP magazine - which I thought was really cool until I read the bi-line on the title page and they put in someone else's name. Hey, it's the thought that counts, right? (Just in case you're curious they are in the July/August issue on pages 40 & 42-44.) I think I heard somewhere that I get an expense non-paid trip to Cassoday, though! Just for my self-gratification though I did include a photo for you that I took Wednesday of an Indigo Bunting. (That's a bird for you non-ornithological type.) They're awesomely beautiful birds, seen rarely by the common Joe.

I've been meditating on some messages that I've heard this last week about being the same Christian everywhere you go, no matter what you are doing. It's been interesting that I've heard this same subject over and over recently. (Maybe God's telling me something?) This is one of my prayers for the new school year and I ask you to lift me up in this. I pray that I'll be like the man who "lived better than he preached."

Live it Louder!

I'm talking about Camp Galilee Oh Eight. Tamra, Adam and I spent most of last week at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas at church camp, where Tam and I were team leaders/counsellors for a group a high school and college kids. We had a great time, of course, but more importantly were the lives of the youth that were changed. Kids today are faced with an enormous amount of pressure, which we talked about throughout the week. Praise God that they (we) have a way out, through Him.


Our small group (Team Purple)

Our theme song this week was Let the Redeemed Say So. It's a modern worship song that talks about us being salt and light in the world, showing the world heaven. Our theme Bible verse was taken from Psalms 107:2, Let the redeemed of the world say this .... It was so encouraging to see kids that were initially strangers and rivals come together and be joined under the umbrella of His blood, becoming brothers and sisters in Christ by the end of the week.

The camp members gather for praise and worship.

Once again, the hand of the Lord was upon us the whole week with: brake trouble on the church bus going to camp, rain falling the night of our scheduled campfire and worship time, and the boat having mechanical problems. These minor setbacks showed us that God was in control and we just needed to depend on Him for his timing and guidance. (What a novel concept, huh?)
I'd ask you to pray for our youth as they get ready to return to school this week. They'll be faced with major issues in their lives again and they'll need the Armor of God (Gal. 6:10) covering them and preparing them. I'll be praying especially for our small group: Carlton, Megan, Christopher, Anna, Holly, Sarah, Mark, Wes, and Ciara.

The campfire at our late night worship.

Our team competes in the van pulling contest.

The view of the swimming area on Bull Shoals from the lodge area.

Also please remember our Sunday School prayer requests: 1) Darla's brother; 2) Annessa's mother's friend; 3)Jeanna's Dad Curtis 4) the strike at Beechcraft 5) Richard's son Kevin; 6) Mike & Chris' week.

Remember, as this busy week plays out..... we're too blessed to be stressed!