Sobering thoughts ...

In the hubbub of life, we sometimes miss things that are sobering ... like the upcoming youth camp Sandi and Tim are directing. Oh, I know -- youth camps are to be soooo much fun and I can guarantee you, they will have more fun than they can imagine at this camp. I've seen the schedule and there is definitely time for that!

However, there is a much more sobering thought. I have listened to Sandi talking or texting or emailing moms and counselors as they talk about what issues the youth of today are facing. I shared a link to Sandi's blog and in it, she shared some of the issues that teens are facing. And, yes, some of them are coming to camp with those issues very much a reality in their lives.

I asked Sandi if I could share her devotionals on a daily basis. Actually, she and Bob put these together as they have for the past four years -- this is year #5 -- wow!! She gives him her theme and her theme verses and he goes from there. This year, it was interesting ... while he was working on the actual devotionals, she had written up the questions for each day. The questions relate to the devotionals but also to the theme for that particular day. It was amazing how the questions related so closely.

I am always so excited to hear the reports of camp. I am disappointed in a sense that I will be gone next weekend so will have to wait until I get home to get the whole scoop. However, I'm sure I will hear an abbreviated version each day when she calls to check up on Tyler who will be staying with me as he always has done. We have our special time -- and always go to see the most current kids' movie out. The problem one year was that there were three new movies out! Wow! Tyler was excited and I was tired! Although that was the same year when he shared a testimony with a teenager who said he didn't think he believed in God. That didn't stop Tyler!

So ... I would ask for special prayer for them. I know I will be ... and I'll post the first devotional on Tuesday morning -- they just arrive on Monday so won't start the devotionals until Tuesday morning. The counselors get together early to go over them -- however, they have all had copies of them all for some time so that they could be prepared to share with their campers.

So, these are my sobering thoughts for today ... a heart that is a little heavy when I think of what some of these teens are experiencing and praying that they truly sense God's Hope for their lives next week!

Cousins and friends!

Tyler and RJ are cousins who love each other and sort of drive each other a little crazy. RJ is five years old and Tyler is 7. They love each other but also know just what buttons to push to irritate the other one. Sometimes it is a little amusing -- other times it's frustrating -- especially to moms (and grandmoms, too). But, we always enjoy those special times when you know that their relationship is unique -- cousins who sometimes feel like brothers. Sandi whispered to me, "Mom, this is a great picture" this afternoon and I couldn't pass it up. Tyler is an awesome reader and rarely misses a word -- even long words. He simply sounds them out but doesn't need much time to do it.

RJ was in awe since he hadn't really heard him read -- and he was a little frustrated that he (RJ) couldn't read like Tyler could yet. Sandi assured him the time would come when he would be able to read just like Tyler.

Tyler finally decided he was through reading for the moment and asked if Sandi would take over for him!

Check out Sandi's blog

I didn't think Sandi would have time to write a post about camp next week but as always, she came through! If you have a few moments, please read her post and add the SAC Youth Camp to your prayer list.

Upcoming Youth Camp -- "Reality Check"

Sandi and Tim are working diligently to finish up plans for the SAC (South Atlantic Conference, Free Methodist Church) next week. What a job -- no one probably knows the amount of work that goes into one of these camps -- unless you have done one -- start to finish! Wow! I am always in awe of the time and passion they put into this camp. It's one of the most organized events I have seen yet gives plenty of flexibility as God moves throughout the week.

As a result of the past four years of camp, three young men are entering college this fall to pursue a call into ministry! The excitement among the kids attending is such an inspiration. This year, they have a Timothy Track which is focused on young people who feel a call to ministry or a deeper walk with God. There will be special counselors assigned to this track.

I wish I could list everything that will be taking place -- it would take too long. But, I did go to Sandi's today and take some pictures. Usually I am in the middle of helping her put this together but this year, she had a color printer as well as other help -- so I will be helping next week by keeping Tyler for them. We always have a great time and it gives them comfort in knowing he is with someone they fully trust. (You have to trust a grandmother, right?)

So ... here are some photos I took of the preparations ... just a few of them anyway! The table is full of preparations -- the camp banner, folders, extra T-shirts, etc. There are bottles of water, snacks, and more!

Each camper will receive a sling pack (and the ones who have seen them already are ecstatic that each one gets one!) and their T-shirts and other items will already be in it. Each one has already been labeled with the camper's name and the appropriate size T-shirt in their sling pack. Lots of work? Yup, but she had some great help this year!

The main thing they request now is simply prayer support! This year, there are a number of inner city kids attending (which is a PTL for them) .. and there are three homeless teenagers attending. What an opportunity to impact lives for Christ!!

The photos below are of two of the team leader shirts. I'm not sure how many teams / colors they have this year but there must be quite a few as they are trying to keep the team numbers small.

Interesting conversations!!!

RJ stayed with me for a couple hours yesterday and I'm always intrigued by what he may talk about. He is very intense and every conversation is interesting! He asked Kasi to come sit beside him on the floor so he could show her something on his DVD. I'm not sure how the conversation got from DVD's to girlfriends, but it did. I heard this comment, "When I'm 40, I'm going to get married. I'm going to marry Amanda." (Amanda works at the local Sonic and they usually visit there every day.) Amanda is about 16, I think .. so that means in 35 years, she'll be pushing 51 -- I doubt she'll want to wait that long but she assures RJ daily that she loves him. He takes that comment very seriously!!


So, here are a few of the photos from their conversation -- he gets a little animated as he tries to get his point across!! (Next week, Tyler will be staying with me so I'm sure I'll have conversations which will be just as interesting!)

Facebook ... where did they get that name???

I'm not sure who came up with the name "Facebook" but maybe it's the same guy who always sends a 'thank you' for doing something or other on it. I have yet to figure out all the various things you can do -- and am always hesitant in trying something too new in case I can't back out of it. However, 'facebook' has been a trip into the past for me! Wow .. I never dreamed I would connect with friends I hadn't seen or talked to in more years than I care to admit.

Some go way back to the late 50's and early 60's. I wasn't very old then (nor am I old yet?) but I have vivid memories of lots of people during those formative years of the Bible Missionary Institute. I keep threatening to write a book on what I remember. I was reminding my dad of some of those things when I visited him last week and I'm afraid he ended up with a head ache -- or some type of fog I created) as he remembered various people and events that happened over those years.

In the middle of our conversation, I did ask my dad if we could make a call to John Copeland. John's wife, Mary (Wardlaw), is doing very poorly physically and their daughter, Sharon, had encouraged calls. One of my dad's ministries recently (due to Macular Degeneration and Myasthenia Gravis put together) has been to make telephone calls. (That is a challenge now that he cannot see very well.) So, I called John and was so glad I could put my dad on the phone.

So ... back to Facebook -- I have nearly 300 friends and I am so impressed. (HA!) Then I look at my niece's facebook (Jene') and she has over 800, I believe. She must be soooo popular.

I am always delighted when one of the younger set decides to invite me to be their friend. I had several of those of the past few days -- I think they wanted to be able to tag my photos, too -- ones that I had taken of them -- such as Justin, Celia, Michael, etc. (They know who they are!)

It has been so fun getting acquainted with Noni Wisdom Knapp -- I remember hearing her name was back in the 1960's and thinking that she was one neat lady (fun loving, too) ... and that has been confirmed as we have gotten reacquainted. I didn't know her personally but knew her husband's family well -- maybe because her sister-in-law, Ann Turner, was my teacher in the 5th and 6th grades! She was one of my favorite teachers!!

Then I have connected with Becky Gray (daughter of Larry and Esther Gray) ... Esther's sister was another one of my teachers -- Emma Dean Crowe.

And connecting with Shirley Throne Fogleman's daughter and daughter-in-law ... what memories I could share with them of teenage years at the Throne's. (Shirley was my maid-of-honor!) Shirley and David had some neat kids (and grandkids, too!)

I am enjoying watching young people grow up -- second generations -- and it brings back memories of watching their parents grow up. Such as the Knuth clan! Wow -- wasn't it just yesterday that Rob and Ryn were just youngsters (along with us Boynton kids) and Randy was a baby? And now I'm keeping in touch with their family through their kids' Facebooks and what fun it is!!

Oh, I have plenty of things to do to keep my busy throughout the day so I'm not hanging out in Facebook for hours at a time. But, it's nice sometimes just to go visit with friends -- and I can do it right from here!!

I didn't realize how easy it was to IM (Instant Message) on Facebook until I saw someone jump out at me -- okay, jump out isn't the correct word but pop up sounded about as crazy. I had a great conversation with David Cary -- and was honored when he told me his wife, Angel, reads my blog daily -- Angel is a friend from childhood and is a special lady! (Right, David??)

I always love looking at pictures (oh, I love to read, too -- just look at our office and the boxes of books we give away!) But, looking at photos are so much fun ... so while I am here, I'll share a couple of photos that I picked up through Noni ... and see if anyone can pick out who these people are! I know that three of the guys have initials of ... "L.K.", "R.B." and "C.S." (And the second photo .. Rex and LaWanda Bullock).

Major Road Trip!!!

... and fairly uneventful. Except for the person who decided to pull out from under an overpass yesterday during a torrential rainfall -- almost right beside me. Fortunately, I didn't slam on the brakes (which would have been a typical reaction) so that I would hydroplane! But, rather, imagine this -- I kept my cool except for hitting the horn about a zillion times to make sure they knew someone was right there!! The driver behind me was alert as well!! Thank the Lord!!

Truly, I am so thankful for safety on the road ... I made it back from Atlanta (rain and all) in about 7-1/2 hours and was very thankful to pull into our driveway about 7:45pm last night!!

Let's see -- I can hardly remember when I began -- two weeks ago tomorrow, I ...

• Visited Teri and her family
• Drove to Atlanta and spent three days there
• Stopped on the way to Indianapolis in Murfreesboro TN (where the gas price was $3.79/gal (hurray!)
• Drove on to Indianapolis and spent a night with my mother-in-law (and got to see three nieces, two of which I had not met before)
• On to Rachel's house for two days -- video games and all (no, didn't win -- came in third out of four -- not bad for me!) Spent some time with my dad!
• Back to Indianapolis and a couple nights at Bob's sister's (Betty) house
• During that time (on the 4th), was at Bob's sister's (Linda's) home as I've already shared about
• Left early Saturday morning -- stopped to spend the night in Cartersville, GA
• Spent Sunday through Monday noon in Atlanta
• Drove home yesterday ...

And it's good to be home -- but enjoyed the trip immensely!