Jingle bells, Davis tales begins a little late,
on the eve of Christmas eve we sit around and wait.
We were told by text were to be,
it ended up being 5 when we began the festivities.
gather we, as tradition to be, to buy a christmas tree
but mom left to groceries get and was given one for free!
up the attic to get boxes green and mistletoe for the door
smoked pork and taters mashed we eat, and the cat runs across the floor.
Deck the halls and trim the tree,
we all ended up playing monopoly.
It was really late when I realized,
that presents still needed wrapped, much to my demise.
Christmas eve dawned and late were we to rise,
finally, presents we unwrap with faces of surprise!
There were books, and clothes and lots camo,
then we loaded the car, it was time to go.
Caleb and I, to the store we trekked, to whipped cream retrieve,
we enter and were greeted, and so began Christmas Eve.
A Christmas gift exchange was set,
my own gift did I get.
The table laid so beautifully,
fajitas were cooked by Kali and me.
Charades we played, Garret and I were undefeated,
until Auntie showed up and stole the show, but then again, she cheated.
Christmas day was upon us now, with stockings hung with care,
biscuits and gravy we ate until every plate was bare.
It wasn't long until to grandma's house we went,
amongst the midday meal, there was a hub-bub of excitement
The littlest cousin did implore for gifts when it was time to give,
there was a present wrapped in duck-tape much, for tradition must still live.
I was excited to give my aunt her rocking chair so blue,
soon the gifts were all unwrapped, the time for giving flew.
I sat with little Noah to teach him how to, with his new toys play,
but soon I was his princess and he would not let me get away.
So out into the snow we went so he could rescue me from those in the bad tower,
on our trek he raised his hands and asked God to give me princess powers.
Our journey ended as someone yelled for me,
that night I almost beat uncle chad and dad in Monopoly!
The night ended without alarm,
with pleasant talks with nana and coffee warm.
Christmas came and went last night,
I enjoyed it much but will let it go without a fight.
The time has now come, our tale is ending soon,
if your anything like me your wishing now for June.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Home: A Training Ground
I've been silent for some time now. I guess it was moving home. The actually trip and then all the re-adjusting. Trying to stuff all my boxes into my tiny closet, getting used to all 4 seasons and the clothes that come with them, and reassuring myself that I can once again turn right three times and be back where I started, no longer having to fear getting lost on winding roads. Of all things I adore about Kansas I have to say my favorite –other than my family of course –is the dirt. Ya, I know I am crazy. I possible even sound like an old lady. (I have often said I am too old fashioned for my age.) No matter what it is, I simply love not finding sand anywhere and everywhere no matter how many times I clean it up. Dirt is just simpler. But that is beside the point.
To be honest the reason I haven't been writing is nothing extraordinary has been happening to me. Well, that is extraordinary in my terms. However, as I have been pondering on this predicament on this snowy sunday afternoon, I realized that God has been doing some extraordinary things in my life. My parents have always said that "home is the training ground." When I was younger I would sigh at their comment and shrug it off. I mean seriously, what does that even mean to a 15 year-old. When I moved out I looked back in awe at the realization that I had gone through so many things at home to prepare me for where I was right then. Yep, home is a training ground. But, what stinks is that God, for some sovereign reason, has decided I need to go back to training for a while!!!
Sadly, it took a couple months for me to realize where I was at. But, there is no doubt I am back at boot camp. You just never realize how irritating and annoying people can be until you live with them for an extended amount of time. I mean how can sibling not understand that you don't just barge into a room whenever you want? Why is it that every-time my brother takes a shower my shampoo ends up on the bathtub floor? Why does my sister HAVE to play the flute NOW? Why can't my sister dress cute instead of looking like a rag muffin? I didn't do that when I was 12! (Ya, I dressed worse....) Why don't my siblings pick up there things? Why did they make that kind of coffee this morning? Someone needs to do the dishes. Your starting to get the point.
In my mindset I am usually right. Actually, I usually am right. There is nothing wrong with what I desire. There is no "sin" attached with my requests. But......yep, there is a but. You knew it was coming. The but, is my responses, my attitude, the way I handle each situation.
God always has a sense of humor. It just so happens that a few weeks ago I was asked by our youth pastor to teach two classes. One was on doing personal devotions, the other on using our words to please God. So, as I was pondering in the early morning hours, how to teach these lessons I was very convicted. How is it that I get to teach on two things that I struggle with so much! These months at home have been up and down with my devotions. I have not spent enough time or effort seeking my God. For this reason, my mind has instead been dwelling on all the things my siblings are failing to do. As the scripture says, "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." It doesn't take long for words to start spewing out of my mouth.
I guess I just needed to realize that amongst the seemingly boring few months I have had a home, a war has been raging on. Unfortunately, I have been losing. My head wasn't even in the game!! As my dad would say, I was the kid in the outfield playing in the dirt. But not any more. By the grace of God, I choose to put on my armor. I will give thanks for the training I am receiving and learn it to the best of my ability. Who knows what He will throw at my next!! I mean if this rigorous training is any indication, it will be a huge ministry with whiny people who aren't clean and can't keep my shampoo bottle on the bathtub shelf. Whatever it is, I'll be ready.
To be honest the reason I haven't been writing is nothing extraordinary has been happening to me. Well, that is extraordinary in my terms. However, as I have been pondering on this predicament on this snowy sunday afternoon, I realized that God has been doing some extraordinary things in my life. My parents have always said that "home is the training ground." When I was younger I would sigh at their comment and shrug it off. I mean seriously, what does that even mean to a 15 year-old. When I moved out I looked back in awe at the realization that I had gone through so many things at home to prepare me for where I was right then. Yep, home is a training ground. But, what stinks is that God, for some sovereign reason, has decided I need to go back to training for a while!!!
Sadly, it took a couple months for me to realize where I was at. But, there is no doubt I am back at boot camp. You just never realize how irritating and annoying people can be until you live with them for an extended amount of time. I mean how can sibling not understand that you don't just barge into a room whenever you want? Why is it that every-time my brother takes a shower my shampoo ends up on the bathtub floor? Why does my sister HAVE to play the flute NOW? Why can't my sister dress cute instead of looking like a rag muffin? I didn't do that when I was 12! (Ya, I dressed worse....) Why don't my siblings pick up there things? Why did they make that kind of coffee this morning? Someone needs to do the dishes. Your starting to get the point.
In my mindset I am usually right. Actually, I usually am right. There is nothing wrong with what I desire. There is no "sin" attached with my requests. But......yep, there is a but. You knew it was coming. The but, is my responses, my attitude, the way I handle each situation.
God always has a sense of humor. It just so happens that a few weeks ago I was asked by our youth pastor to teach two classes. One was on doing personal devotions, the other on using our words to please God. So, as I was pondering in the early morning hours, how to teach these lessons I was very convicted. How is it that I get to teach on two things that I struggle with so much! These months at home have been up and down with my devotions. I have not spent enough time or effort seeking my God. For this reason, my mind has instead been dwelling on all the things my siblings are failing to do. As the scripture says, "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." It doesn't take long for words to start spewing out of my mouth.
I guess I just needed to realize that amongst the seemingly boring few months I have had a home, a war has been raging on. Unfortunately, I have been losing. My head wasn't even in the game!! As my dad would say, I was the kid in the outfield playing in the dirt. But not any more. By the grace of God, I choose to put on my armor. I will give thanks for the training I am receiving and learn it to the best of my ability. Who knows what He will throw at my next!! I mean if this rigorous training is any indication, it will be a huge ministry with whiny people who aren't clean and can't keep my shampoo bottle on the bathtub shelf. Whatever it is, I'll be ready.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Homeward Bound
Seeing as how this is my 20th Blog post, I felt that I should do something a little different. Instead of recounting an interesting tale of my life, I am going to give you glimpse of what I can't wait to do when I get home. However, I am going to show you through pictures! Enjoy!
I am going to jump with excitement!! |
Get a hug from my Uncle Chad |
Going "BankLining" is a MUST! |
I'm going to drink a lot of coffee as I sport my Camp Gilead shirt. |
I'm going to go look at cows with Anna |
Fishing with Grandpa |
Pose for some photos with Garrett |
Climb the hill in Grenola |
Hang out with Hunter |
Give Caleb lots of hugs. Since we all know how much Caleb loves hugs. |
I'm going to drive the Jeep! |
Laugh with my Brothers |
Give Garrett "The Look" |
Sit under my favorite tree |
Friday, September 13, 2013
Aly and Me
A little over a year ago I was laying on my bunk in Cabin 5A here at Camp Gilead. The Cabin was full of strangers who would become a tight knit family in a matter of days. Two bunks down, Heather Simmons was talking about monkeys for some odd reason. I really wasn't in the conversation but since I heard the words monkey I rolled over onto my side and in a casual sleepy like voice I simply said, "You know in Kansas monkeys fly." Heather laughed at the comment. Five minutes later the lights had gone out and everyone was settling int their bunks when from the other side of the room a burst of laughter erupted! "I GET IT!" she shouted. That is the moment I met Alyssa Sera.
There was just something about the youngest member of our little group. Maybe it was her quiet smile, her infectious laughter, or her genuine enthusiasm. Perhaps it was her apparent lack of fear for any creature under the sun, or her capable life-gaurding skills. It could have been the way her cabin was always well behaved and squeaky clean. More than likely it was her constant encouraging words and the ability to be excited for you, rather than jealous, when things were good. Whatever it was, the girl grew on me. But, it wasn't until Elementary week that we bonded.
It was the biggest week of the summer. All the Cabins were used and full. I was a counselor in 8A and Aly was in 8B. We had some good times being neighbors. The thing about the 8 cabins is they are old and rarely used. They also don't have indoor bathrooms so we have to share the G.O.B (Girls Outdoor Bathroom) with 2 other cabins. Every day it was something new. A leak, a clogged toilet, a roaming lizard. But, Aly and I took care of it like a boss. Then there was shower time. We took turns being in the G.O.B. We would usher girls in and out and keep the showers moving. I mean 4 showers for 56 girls in 1 hour!!! Talk about crazy! It was so steamy and humid in that bathroom during shower time. We had to prop both doors open so the air would get in. And that's when it happened. One afternoon we forgot to close the doors. After dinner the campers went in to get ready for bed and as Aly and I stood in front of our cabins we heard screams come from the bathroom. As we went to investigate, we found the entire bathroom completely covered in flying ants!!! I'm not talking about just a lot of bugs. I'm talking covering ever surface! That night after our campers were in bed and asleep, Aly and I spent an hour moping out all the bugs and cleaning every surface of the G.O.B.
But no matter how different we are, I am super blessed to have her as my friend. To be able to hop in a car with her and drive all the way to one side of Florida to watch the sunrise, then pack up and drive all the way to the other side and watch the sunset. To meet her at the movie theater at midnight for the opening showing of The Hobbit, or dance in the middle of the camp parking lot to Hunter Hays songs. And that is Aly and Me in a nutshell.
There was just something about the youngest member of our little group. Maybe it was her quiet smile, her infectious laughter, or her genuine enthusiasm. Perhaps it was her apparent lack of fear for any creature under the sun, or her capable life-gaurding skills. It could have been the way her cabin was always well behaved and squeaky clean. More than likely it was her constant encouraging words and the ability to be excited for you, rather than jealous, when things were good. Whatever it was, the girl grew on me. But, it wasn't until Elementary week that we bonded.
It was the biggest week of the summer. All the Cabins were used and full. I was a counselor in 8A and Aly was in 8B. We had some good times being neighbors. The thing about the 8 cabins is they are old and rarely used. They also don't have indoor bathrooms so we have to share the G.O.B (Girls Outdoor Bathroom) with 2 other cabins. Every day it was something new. A leak, a clogged toilet, a roaming lizard. But, Aly and I took care of it like a boss. Then there was shower time. We took turns being in the G.O.B. We would usher girls in and out and keep the showers moving. I mean 4 showers for 56 girls in 1 hour!!! Talk about crazy! It was so steamy and humid in that bathroom during shower time. We had to prop both doors open so the air would get in. And that's when it happened. One afternoon we forgot to close the doors. After dinner the campers went in to get ready for bed and as Aly and I stood in front of our cabins we heard screams come from the bathroom. As we went to investigate, we found the entire bathroom completely covered in flying ants!!! I'm not talking about just a lot of bugs. I'm talking covering ever surface! That night after our campers were in bed and asleep, Aly and I spent an hour moping out all the bugs and cleaning every surface of the G.O.B.
"I wish I could keep you but that might be considered kidnapping and God probably wouldn't like that."- Alyssa SernaAs summer came to a close, I was excited to go home, yet sad to leave such good friends behind. Yet, Aly seemed to know something I didn't. "I am pretty positive I will see you again. I'm not worried at all." She told me. A couple months later I stepped out of my loaded down car after driving for 24 hours and was greeted by a familiar face and a gigantic hug. Yep, she was right we would see each-other again. We would spend some holidays together, lots of retreats and crazy conversations. I am pretty sure she didn't know what she was getting into! As I would force her to sit and listen to my random writings, my romantic novels and crazy dreams. How would I describe the two of us together? Mmmmmm........welllll, think of a little girl with curls bouncing up and down and a crooked tiara on her head, a tutu on and a pair of wings. She dances around the room with her wand, apparently in a fairy tale of some sort, with rainbows and unicorns. That's me. Now picture in the same room a little girl covered from head to toe in camo, hunched behind a couch with her weapon, ready to strike at anything that looks unfamiliar. That's Aly. And together, its indescribable. I mean I tried to explain that a romantic notion is something completely crazy and out of the ordinary, yet mystical and mysterious, like walking through thick vines that lay on the forest floor to reach a place were a log has falling half way into the creek and jumping in for a swim. Her conclusion: "Sounds like a romantic notion is the same as finding the perfect spot to hunt." Ummmmmm.........I don't think you got what I meant.
But no matter how different we are, I am super blessed to have her as my friend. To be able to hop in a car with her and drive all the way to one side of Florida to watch the sunrise, then pack up and drive all the way to the other side and watch the sunset. To meet her at the movie theater at midnight for the opening showing of The Hobbit, or dance in the middle of the camp parking lot to Hunter Hays songs. And that is Aly and Me in a nutshell.
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
no Inglés?
For the past couple of years people have been telling high school students that they should learn Spanish, because there is becoming a large portion of Spanish speaking people in America. As a high schooler, I didn't care. I wasn't about to try and learn Spanish. I mean I could barley speak English correct. I speak more "Americanuese" (American-ease). Kansas has a pretty standard American dialect. Although every once in a while an Oklahoman "Ol" (oil) or an "Y'all" from my mom's side will slip out. Then there is the Arkansas Hillbilly words like "aintcha" or "ain't"that slip our from my dad's side. (My mom always said "ain't" wasn't a word, but I don't believe her. That word is awesome and frequently used in our house.) And then there are those few Kansas pronunciated words of State landmarks, such as the "OUR-Kansas" river. Even though we might use strange words we DO NOT have accents! Kansans do not have accents. Just so you know. (I mean when I go down south or I'm on the phone I tend to get a little twangy but I mean who can blame me. That Southern accent is catchy! And besides, "When in Rome do as the Romans." No matter what I always go back to the good old non-accent Kansas speech. But that is all beside the point.)
It was a typical Monday morning. I walked into my office and through my purse in a draw, turned on the heater and sat down my coffee mug. I turned on my computer and then turned to my phone to see the flashing red light, letting me know I had a message. Grabbing my notepad and a pen, I pushed the button and listened as a gentleman gave me his number very very fast. It took my like three times of listening to it before I could get the number right. As soon as Jamie came into the office I asked for the information the man needed and she handed me a flyer. Flyer in hand, I picked up the phone and dialed the number.
I have gotten used to calling people, well for the most part. As soon as a man came on the line I opened as I always do with, "Hello? This is Jacque from Camp Gilead returning a call?" The problem was that the man began to speak and I couldn't understand. Suddenly I froze! HE SPEAKS SPANISH!!! I CAN"T SPEAK SPANISH!!! WHAT DO I DO!
I put it off for as long as I could but eventually I could put it off no longer. I had to get a hold of the right person. They wanted to come to our dodgeball tournament, and we want them to come. So, I mustered all the courage I could, picked up the phone and dialed the number one more time. The same man answered the phone. Calm down J. Think.
I hung up the phone and turned to Jamie. "I don't think that was the right phone number." Maybe I should have taken some spanish classes in high school...........
It was a typical Monday morning. I walked into my office and through my purse in a draw, turned on the heater and sat down my coffee mug. I turned on my computer and then turned to my phone to see the flashing red light, letting me know I had a message. Grabbing my notepad and a pen, I pushed the button and listened as a gentleman gave me his number very very fast. It took my like three times of listening to it before I could get the number right. As soon as Jamie came into the office I asked for the information the man needed and she handed me a flyer. Flyer in hand, I picked up the phone and dialed the number.
I have gotten used to calling people, well for the most part. As soon as a man came on the line I opened as I always do with, "Hello? This is Jacque from Camp Gilead returning a call?" The problem was that the man began to speak and I couldn't understand. Suddenly I froze! HE SPEAKS SPANISH!!! I CAN"T SPEAK SPANISH!!! WHAT DO I DO!
I put my hand over the phone and turned my office chair to Jamie behind me. With my eyes as big as bowling balls I said, "He speaks Spanish." A moment of awkward silence as passed as my insides did an acrobatic act making me nauseous. Suddenly I heard a humming sound come from the phone and knew he had hung up. I hung up my receiver and a slight relief that it was over came over me, until I realized I hadn't been able to return the message of whoever called me and that meant I would have to call again!"Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing." – Robert Benchley
I put it off for as long as I could but eventually I could put it off no longer. I had to get a hold of the right person. They wanted to come to our dodgeball tournament, and we want them to come. So, I mustered all the courage I could, picked up the phone and dialed the number one more time. The same man answered the phone. Calm down J. Think.
"¿Habla usted español" the man asked.
"No."
"Oh, no Inglés."A slight pause as if both of us were trying to decided what to do next. I turn to Jamie. "Just say 'habla usted Inglés?" I looked at her with confusing. "What does that mean?" She looked at me and said, "It means do you speak english?" Well that isn't going to help since he already told me he doesn't speak English. Not to mention I don't know the guys name that I am looking for! I couldn't understand it on the message! So I did the next best thing.
"Someone called about Kickball/Dosgeball tournament?" I thought maybe he would recognize a word.
"uhh..sorry. Not speak English well."
"Is there anyone there who speaks English?"
"No."
"I must have the wrong number. Sorry."
"Oh, Ok."
I hung up the phone and turned to Jamie. "I don't think that was the right phone number." Maybe I should have taken some spanish classes in high school...........
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Beyond Yesterday and Before Tommorrow
Its that time of year again. The time of a closing chapter and a new beginning. One of those times in life where you want to pause and savor every bit of the moment that just passed. Yes, there will be better ones in the future but this moment will never be again. If only time could stand still. If only you could hold your breathe and the moment would freeze. But alas, that isn't possible. So, we do what only humans can do; become speechless.
We can't stop altogether. Dinner still has to be made, our job still has to be attended to, our phones still rings. And although we still walk through ever moment flawlessly, as if we were a mechanical robot, our minds are still ten steps behind. If you anything like me, you don't talk a lot. It doesn't mean your not thinking. No my mind is still going constantly. Thinking on the past phase of life, replaying my favorite moments. Savoring the present, taking in everything and everyone around me. Life seems very slow and yet frantically fast at the same time. Your mind slowly moves from those precious moments in the past to the foreboding future. Your heart, desires and dreams begin to migrate to the new phase of life and what it has to offer. It takes everything in you to hold your pants to your office chair and actually work. If you didn't you would be miles high in the air, chasing after every star.
The thing about being in that place in life is that it is easy to fall into two conditions: a Past Visitor, or a Future Dreamer. Although for a brief moment neither condition is really wrong, if in it for an extended amount of time, it can become a serious problem. What the world is a past visitor and a future dreamer? Let me try to explain.
PAST VISITOR: This condition is best described as the weeping mother at a wedding. The ones who say they're so happy but every 5 minutes they burst into tears and proclaim that their "baby" is leaving them. What does that have to do with anything? Well the mother is clearly suffering from past visitation syndrome! She is slumbering through the present while waltzing through the past. I'm pretty sure you have done it once or twice yourself. Think about it! The symptoms hide themselves well but if you look close you can tell. Somewhat quiet, not excited about the future. Everything that happens has some past story latched to it. Homesickness is prevalent. If you are suffering from these symptoms you could have past visitation syndrome.
FUTURE DREAMER: The condition of a future dreamer can be just as devastating to a human. The symptoms include constant day-dreaming, no passion for a present job, irritated or aggravated if stationed in one position for a long amount of time, and often bored out of their wits. You find this phenomenon prevalent in teenagers and college students. I often encounter this condition when God begins to redirect my life. It's never wrong to look towards the future, the same as it isn't wrong to ponder the past. However, just like visiting the past for extended amount of time brings repercussions, so does constantly planning for tomorrow. Just think about it for a second. If your so enraptured by planning tomorrows meals, who will cook today's? There will always be another step to take, another train to be boarded, another moment to contemplate. But as C.S. Lewis so accurately said,
We can't stop altogether. Dinner still has to be made, our job still has to be attended to, our phones still rings. And although we still walk through ever moment flawlessly, as if we were a mechanical robot, our minds are still ten steps behind. If you anything like me, you don't talk a lot. It doesn't mean your not thinking. No my mind is still going constantly. Thinking on the past phase of life, replaying my favorite moments. Savoring the present, taking in everything and everyone around me. Life seems very slow and yet frantically fast at the same time. Your mind slowly moves from those precious moments in the past to the foreboding future. Your heart, desires and dreams begin to migrate to the new phase of life and what it has to offer. It takes everything in you to hold your pants to your office chair and actually work. If you didn't you would be miles high in the air, chasing after every star.
The thing about being in that place in life is that it is easy to fall into two conditions: a Past Visitor, or a Future Dreamer. Although for a brief moment neither condition is really wrong, if in it for an extended amount of time, it can become a serious problem. What the world is a past visitor and a future dreamer? Let me try to explain.
PAST VISITOR: This condition is best described as the weeping mother at a wedding. The ones who say they're so happy but every 5 minutes they burst into tears and proclaim that their "baby" is leaving them. What does that have to do with anything? Well the mother is clearly suffering from past visitation syndrome! She is slumbering through the present while waltzing through the past. I'm pretty sure you have done it once or twice yourself. Think about it! The symptoms hide themselves well but if you look close you can tell. Somewhat quiet, not excited about the future. Everything that happens has some past story latched to it. Homesickness is prevalent. If you are suffering from these symptoms you could have past visitation syndrome.
I prefer to say "past visitor" rather than living in the past, because we all know you can't truly live in the past. But you can sure back your mental bags and visit your past for an extended amount of time. But, just like when you go off for a long vacation, the mail piles up, the dust settles and life goes on. When you finally return from the past you realize that the present has been neglected. Then it takes you extra time trying to clean up the mess and get resettled back into life. Visiting the past for an extended amount of time never did anyone any good."While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future."-Ronald Reagan
FUTURE DREAMER: The condition of a future dreamer can be just as devastating to a human. The symptoms include constant day-dreaming, no passion for a present job, irritated or aggravated if stationed in one position for a long amount of time, and often bored out of their wits. You find this phenomenon prevalent in teenagers and college students. I often encounter this condition when God begins to redirect my life. It's never wrong to look towards the future, the same as it isn't wrong to ponder the past. However, just like visiting the past for extended amount of time brings repercussions, so does constantly planning for tomorrow. Just think about it for a second. If your so enraptured by planning tomorrows meals, who will cook today's? There will always be another step to take, another train to be boarded, another moment to contemplate. But as C.S. Lewis so accurately said,
"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is."-C. S. LewisSometimes I have to remind myself to slow down. The Bible often uses the phrase "Walk in the Spirit." It does not say to Sprint with the Spirit, to Run with the Spirit or even to Sit with the Spirit. No, it says WALK: a constant moving in a forward direction. God has amazing, big plans for my future, I am positive. But he also has an important will for my life today. Today he has asked me to wake up and surrender to his will for my life. He has asked me to cheerful sit in an office. He has asked me to answer the phones with kindness, and compassion, and a willingness to help the person on the other side of the line to the best of my ability. He as asked me to use every moment of my time to glorify him. So, in the moment beyond yesterday and before tomorrow, I choose to be a part of something greater. A calling that goes to many but is heard by few.
TODAY I WILL SERVE THE LORD
Monday, August 26, 2013
Expectedly Unexpected!
Camp life is always exciting.
You really never know what is going to happen. I think that is what I love most about it. As a counselor, it manifested itself through the spur of the moment talks with campers that led to a personal spiritual decision. Possible a camper who has an attitude and causes you to miss the funniest game of the week. Or that camper that suddenly tells you she is not feeling good and you instinctively grab the trash can just in time to catch her vomit, that would have gone everywhere seeing as how she chose a top bunk. Then sitting out on the porch as you force her to drink sprite. Seriously, what kid doesn't like drinking soda? Apparently, there are a few. Yep, you just never know what is going to happen.
Strangely enough, I have found that you find this phenomenon even more in the registrar position. Probably because you deal with a lot of people and people are unpredictable. Ya, I have heard some crazy things talking on the phone with parents.
Registration had gone well, it had some kinks but it went well. Jamie and I packed everything up brought to the office and began our Sunday evening ritual of inputting transactions, account reconciliation, report running and putting away every thing until next week. I knew it was going to be late night in the office but I had no idea how late! Naturally we began by making a pot of Coffee. A few minute into our venture we were greeted by a smiling face. A Camper Parent had wandered into the office and began to chat with us while waiting on her daughter. What happened next is hard do tell. It could be due to simple fact that it was past my bed time and I couldn't concentrate. It could be that the coffee hadn't kicked in, whatever it was, I am not sure. All I know is that by the end of the evening I was thinking, "What just happened?"
From the moment she walked in, she had a smile on her face and perky voice. We smiled back and found out she was here to ask her daughter a question. We waited with her, making small talk until her daughter and her counselor walked into the room. For a few moments the mother talked to her daughter, then bragged on her and it was obvious that she really cared for her. The five of us sat in the office for about 5 minutes, chatting. Before long the camper and counselor had to leave to get back to the cabin. To be honest it was a neat experience for me, since the camper had been in my cabin last year. It was neat to see her again and see how she was doing.
I can't remember exactly what happened next but I know I offered the mother some coffee, which she gratefully took as soon as she grabbed her coffee cup from the car. I feel like it was one of those moments in the movie, you know where the main characters are trying to hide something or do something important in secret and a unexpected visitor shows up but won't leave. The main characters smile, nod and join in the conversation while standing in front of whatever they are trying to hide. They engage the visitor so as not to bring on suspicion, yet they don't encourage more conversation. Every time they think the visitor is going to leave and starts walking towards the door, the visitor remembers something else they want to say. The main characters start relax every time the guest walks towards the door, but are jerked back into a state of worry when they realize they haven't really left. Throw in some diagrams written on scrap paper and you have our evening.
She talked, we listened trying to type here and there. She took some coffee and talked some more. She drew a diagram and talked some more. Every once in a while we would think she was about to leave but nope, she had more to say. She was pleasant, a really nice lady. If I was more awake during that time I might have gleaned some wisdom from her chattering, but alas, I was in haze. By the time she did leave, I was in such a state that I didn't know when people were coming in going. All I knew was something strange had just happened.
You really never know what is going to happen. I think that is what I love most about it. As a counselor, it manifested itself through the spur of the moment talks with campers that led to a personal spiritual decision. Possible a camper who has an attitude and causes you to miss the funniest game of the week. Or that camper that suddenly tells you she is not feeling good and you instinctively grab the trash can just in time to catch her vomit, that would have gone everywhere seeing as how she chose a top bunk. Then sitting out on the porch as you force her to drink sprite. Seriously, what kid doesn't like drinking soda? Apparently, there are a few. Yep, you just never know what is going to happen.
Strangely enough, I have found that you find this phenomenon even more in the registrar position. Probably because you deal with a lot of people and people are unpredictable. Ya, I have heard some crazy things talking on the phone with parents.
"My child wanted coffee, can you give them these coffee and donuts?"
"What is the code to see pictures?" (It is on the back of the paper we gave you ma'am, on the website, on emails, and on my voicemail. But, I understand that it is difficult to find.)
"My child is terrified of sleeping on the top bunk. Can we reserve a bed?"
"My child has to have ice cream to take her morning medicine with."
"My child wants to request a cabin. Not a cabin-mate. No, she really wants a particular cabin, the one she had last year. Can you do that for us?"Yep, some you love, some you never want to call again, and then some you hang up the phone asking, "what just happened?" I was pretty prepared for just about everything the night of registration, except for what really happened.
Registration had gone well, it had some kinks but it went well. Jamie and I packed everything up brought to the office and began our Sunday evening ritual of inputting transactions, account reconciliation, report running and putting away every thing until next week. I knew it was going to be late night in the office but I had no idea how late! Naturally we began by making a pot of Coffee. A few minute into our venture we were greeted by a smiling face. A Camper Parent had wandered into the office and began to chat with us while waiting on her daughter. What happened next is hard do tell. It could be due to simple fact that it was past my bed time and I couldn't concentrate. It could be that the coffee hadn't kicked in, whatever it was, I am not sure. All I know is that by the end of the evening I was thinking, "What just happened?"
"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today."-Mark Twain
From the moment she walked in, she had a smile on her face and perky voice. We smiled back and found out she was here to ask her daughter a question. We waited with her, making small talk until her daughter and her counselor walked into the room. For a few moments the mother talked to her daughter, then bragged on her and it was obvious that she really cared for her. The five of us sat in the office for about 5 minutes, chatting. Before long the camper and counselor had to leave to get back to the cabin. To be honest it was a neat experience for me, since the camper had been in my cabin last year. It was neat to see her again and see how she was doing.
I can't remember exactly what happened next but I know I offered the mother some coffee, which she gratefully took as soon as she grabbed her coffee cup from the car. I feel like it was one of those moments in the movie, you know where the main characters are trying to hide something or do something important in secret and a unexpected visitor shows up but won't leave. The main characters smile, nod and join in the conversation while standing in front of whatever they are trying to hide. They engage the visitor so as not to bring on suspicion, yet they don't encourage more conversation. Every time they think the visitor is going to leave and starts walking towards the door, the visitor remembers something else they want to say. The main characters start relax every time the guest walks towards the door, but are jerked back into a state of worry when they realize they haven't really left. Throw in some diagrams written on scrap paper and you have our evening.
She talked, we listened trying to type here and there. She took some coffee and talked some more. She drew a diagram and talked some more. Every once in a while we would think she was about to leave but nope, she had more to say. She was pleasant, a really nice lady. If I was more awake during that time I might have gleaned some wisdom from her chattering, but alas, I was in haze. By the time she did leave, I was in such a state that I didn't know when people were coming in going. All I knew was something strange had just happened.
Parents will never cease to throw me into shock...
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Larry, Oh Larry!
I love to travel. I always have. The excitement of the unknown. The people you meet, the sounds, the smells, the feeling of adventure. The best part of traveling is coming home. HOME. The most precious four letter word in the dictionary. It embodies everything I hold dear. Sadly, I had been home and now I was sitting in the airport ready to leave home.
Little known fact about Kansas is that there are not a lot of direct flights coming and going. Which simply means connecting flights. My first flight had gone well. It was completely full and I didn't feel like sleeping (something I would regret later), but I made it to St. Louis, Missouri without a scratch. I was exhausted!! I was ready to drop on the spot and fall asleep. I mean I had been up since 5!! But I couldn't sleep just yet. I began to walk and found the board of outgoing flights. Gate 220. Perfect it's right in front of me. Now that I know where I have to be, I need lunch. So, I began to walk. There really wasn't much in this airport. Nothing like Atlanta or Dallas. There was a Dunkin Donuts and a Burger King. Neither sounded that great but I chose Burger King. The moment I got in line I regretted it. They aren't really known for their cleanliness. In fact, Burger King has never been that high in my regard. The only good thing I remember about it was losing my first tooth there. Ok, the only "Thing" I remember, skip the good. I lost it when I was about 6 or so, at the local Burger King as I bit into a chicken nugget. Anyways, I go and order the Chicken Strips, to which the waitress relied, "We are all out of Chicken Strips." *Sigh* Seriously!? All I want is to find some food, sit in a chair and sleep. "Ok, do you have the Chicken Sandwich?" The waitress yells back to the other staff, "Chicken Sandwich" Go figure. They have the sandwich that is a few dollars extra! Whatever, lets just get my food and go. I get my food, my drink and go to my gate. Thank you Lord! There is a seat right by the gate! I sit, get comfortable and take a sip of my pop. Yes, I said POP. I'm from the West! I took a sip of pop and made a face. Great all carbonation!! I pick up all my stuff, and trot back to Burger King. I pour out the Dr. Pepper and fill it up with Coke. To be nice I stood and waited to tell them it was out. To which she snappingly replied there was Mr. Pibb on the other side. I'm tired so I'm cranky and I thought about being rude back but I'm a nice person and even though I think it I never say it so I smile and nod. I head back to my seat and go figure it was taken. So, I sat in the only empty spot, a bar stool. This bar stool was apparently made for very tall people because the seat was like a mile away from the bar! Take a deep breathe and just eat your sandwich Jack.
Finally, a seat opened up. I was able to sit comfortably and wait for my flight. I pull out my ipad and try to connect to wifi, which didn't work. Fine, I'll just play a different game. I was so tired I didn't notice the time pass. All of the sudden, over the loud speaker I hear my name!!!
Heavens to Betsy!!!!! I quickly grab everything and run!!!! My heart was pounding and I was heavily breathing but I made it to gate 210 in time. The guy at the counter took my ticket and retorted, "Trying to miss your flight girl." I wanted to SMACK him! which is unlike me. but instead I politely explained that the board said gate 220. "You must have been looking at incoming flight." I wanted to say, "Sir, I have been flying an awful lot in my day and I know what I saw thank you very much." But I instead nodded and headed down the plank to the airplane. Funny thing about SouthWest airlines is that they line everyone up by numbers and let you go pick your seat! Who came up with that idea I have no idea. But as the last person on a almost full flight you can imagine my dilemma. So, I started walking down the aisle. nothing. nothing. notta. nothing. seat. Oh creep. nothing. nothing. nothing. another seat. and another creep. nothing. nothing. Oh a seat in-between an older couple. wellllll....is there anything else? Tiptoe look. nothing.
"Excuse me sir" I notice a strange smell as I take my seat between a larger man and what seemed to be his wife? Well, so much for sleeping on this trip. "No you be nice." the older gentleman said sarcastically. I nicely chuckled and agreed. "Oh Larry!" Exclaimed the woman. "You better be nice." This could be a very interesting flight. Very interesting indeed.
So there I found myself, smushed in-between a larger, what seemed to possible be, an older couple. I was absolutely exhausted. All I wanted to do was fall asleep. But, there is a phrase my pastor once gave and since he did has become a constant phrase in my family. "The ministry is People!" So, I tried to strike up a conversation. Unfortunately, the lady sitting beside me like to chat, and her, "Friend" liked to comment. It started by her asking me a bunch of questions about my life, which I was happy to answer when Larry sarcastically said, "How old are you, how many siblings do you have what's your favorite color. Leave her alone." I have to say it was amusing listening to the two of them throughout the flight. I found out that they had been married for 15+ years and had 6 children before the divorced. The wife remarried a "good" man according to Larry, who died several years ago. They both live in St. Louise and are best friends. They were now on their way to Florida to have a winter sabbatical with their kids. Now if that ain't strange I don't know what is.
Larry had a seemingly cynical attitude about almost everything. He would more than likely challenge anything you said. Those time of people I definitely prefer to shy away from at times. But, God had other plans. To be honest I am not sure how it all started. Somehow I found myself in the middle of a biblical discussion with Larry. Suddenly I was listening intently as the man's voice changed as he explained how as an older man he came to know the Lord sitting in his living room chair. He said he didn't utter one word, but he knew. He knew he had accepted Christ and he had lifted his burdens. His voice soften as he described how tears fell down his face as he sat all alone in his dark living room. A few minutes passed as we exchanged beliefs and praises at what our God had done. I have to admit I sat shocked. He was a man, who at first I assumed we had nothing in common. Yet, we were brother and sister in Christ.
After Larry shared his testimony I was able to share about what God was doing in my life and the burden I have of helping young believers understand the Bible and how to defend their faith. What a joy to be able to talk to a fellow believer you just met about what God is doing in your life. As the plane began to land and everyone prepared to exit the plane, Larry turned to me and said, "God bless you in what your doing, and I'm going to pray for a husband for you."
HAHA I don't know about the last part, but God bless you too Larry, wherever you are.
Little known fact about Kansas is that there are not a lot of direct flights coming and going. Which simply means connecting flights. My first flight had gone well. It was completely full and I didn't feel like sleeping (something I would regret later), but I made it to St. Louis, Missouri without a scratch. I was exhausted!! I was ready to drop on the spot and fall asleep. I mean I had been up since 5!! But I couldn't sleep just yet. I began to walk and found the board of outgoing flights. Gate 220. Perfect it's right in front of me. Now that I know where I have to be, I need lunch. So, I began to walk. There really wasn't much in this airport. Nothing like Atlanta or Dallas. There was a Dunkin Donuts and a Burger King. Neither sounded that great but I chose Burger King. The moment I got in line I regretted it. They aren't really known for their cleanliness. In fact, Burger King has never been that high in my regard. The only good thing I remember about it was losing my first tooth there. Ok, the only "Thing" I remember, skip the good. I lost it when I was about 6 or so, at the local Burger King as I bit into a chicken nugget. Anyways, I go and order the Chicken Strips, to which the waitress relied, "We are all out of Chicken Strips." *Sigh* Seriously!? All I want is to find some food, sit in a chair and sleep. "Ok, do you have the Chicken Sandwich?" The waitress yells back to the other staff, "Chicken Sandwich" Go figure. They have the sandwich that is a few dollars extra! Whatever, lets just get my food and go. I get my food, my drink and go to my gate. Thank you Lord! There is a seat right by the gate! I sit, get comfortable and take a sip of my pop. Yes, I said POP. I'm from the West! I took a sip of pop and made a face. Great all carbonation!! I pick up all my stuff, and trot back to Burger King. I pour out the Dr. Pepper and fill it up with Coke. To be nice I stood and waited to tell them it was out. To which she snappingly replied there was Mr. Pibb on the other side. I'm tired so I'm cranky and I thought about being rude back but I'm a nice person and even though I think it I never say it so I smile and nod. I head back to my seat and go figure it was taken. So, I sat in the only empty spot, a bar stool. This bar stool was apparently made for very tall people because the seat was like a mile away from the bar! Take a deep breathe and just eat your sandwich Jack.
Finally, a seat opened up. I was able to sit comfortably and wait for my flight. I pull out my ipad and try to connect to wifi, which didn't work. Fine, I'll just play a different game. I was so tired I didn't notice the time pass. All of the sudden, over the loud speaker I hear my name!!!
JACQUELYN DAVIS. JACQUELYN DAVIS IF YOU ARE GOING ON YOUR FLIGHT WITH US TO ORLANDO PLEASE COME TO GATE 210. JACQUELYN DAVIS PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO GATE 210.
"Excuse me sir" I notice a strange smell as I take my seat between a larger man and what seemed to be his wife? Well, so much for sleeping on this trip. "No you be nice." the older gentleman said sarcastically. I nicely chuckled and agreed. "Oh Larry!" Exclaimed the woman. "You better be nice." This could be a very interesting flight. Very interesting indeed.
"My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company." -Jane Austen
So there I found myself, smushed in-between a larger, what seemed to possible be, an older couple. I was absolutely exhausted. All I wanted to do was fall asleep. But, there is a phrase my pastor once gave and since he did has become a constant phrase in my family. "The ministry is People!" So, I tried to strike up a conversation. Unfortunately, the lady sitting beside me like to chat, and her, "Friend" liked to comment. It started by her asking me a bunch of questions about my life, which I was happy to answer when Larry sarcastically said, "How old are you, how many siblings do you have what's your favorite color. Leave her alone." I have to say it was amusing listening to the two of them throughout the flight. I found out that they had been married for 15+ years and had 6 children before the divorced. The wife remarried a "good" man according to Larry, who died several years ago. They both live in St. Louise and are best friends. They were now on their way to Florida to have a winter sabbatical with their kids. Now if that ain't strange I don't know what is.
Larry had a seemingly cynical attitude about almost everything. He would more than likely challenge anything you said. Those time of people I definitely prefer to shy away from at times. But, God had other plans. To be honest I am not sure how it all started. Somehow I found myself in the middle of a biblical discussion with Larry. Suddenly I was listening intently as the man's voice changed as he explained how as an older man he came to know the Lord sitting in his living room chair. He said he didn't utter one word, but he knew. He knew he had accepted Christ and he had lifted his burdens. His voice soften as he described how tears fell down his face as he sat all alone in his dark living room. A few minutes passed as we exchanged beliefs and praises at what our God had done. I have to admit I sat shocked. He was a man, who at first I assumed we had nothing in common. Yet, we were brother and sister in Christ.
After Larry shared his testimony I was able to share about what God was doing in my life and the burden I have of helping young believers understand the Bible and how to defend their faith. What a joy to be able to talk to a fellow believer you just met about what God is doing in your life. As the plane began to land and everyone prepared to exit the plane, Larry turned to me and said, "God bless you in what your doing, and I'm going to pray for a husband for you."
HAHA I don't know about the last part, but God bless you too Larry, wherever you are.
A Typical Kyle Saturday
The excitement was almost too much to stand a week before summer camp! Could you blame me!! I had been working 6 months for this moment. Learning new skills and preparing for a wave of campers to flood the camp and learn about God possible for the first time. But there was something possibly even more exciting. MY BROTHERS WERE COMING!! For the whole summer, since who knows when, I would get to hang out with my brothers. Yep, it was going to be a good summer.
The moment they arrived it was just as I suspected. My brothers and I hung out, ate pizza, watched movies and swam in the lake. The next day, as I worked in the office they helped Juan until it was time to begin counselor training. The excitement just built as old friends and new friends all began to arrive. This would be our Summer Camp Team! I remember feeling blessed, leaning up against the chapel wall, a brother on either side, just watching as people arrived. Suddenly, the door opened and stepped in one person. One person who would change the entire summer. Little did I know this person would steal the most important thing in my summer experience: MY BROTHER! In stepped Kyle Ashcraft.
The moment he walked in the door, Hunter leaned over to me and said, "Hey, he looks like our cousin Kyle!" and that was it. I had lost my brother for the summer. For the rest of training week, wherever Kyle was, there was Hunter and visa versa. Our first week of camp came around and was about to end. I was super excited because the weekend meant I could hang out with my brothers! But my dreams were crushed when at a meal my brother said, "I think Hunter P. and I are going to the beach with Kyle this weekend." WHAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure smoke came flying out of my ears. You have got to be kidding me. Yep, the summer wasn't what I expected. In fact a typical Kyle weekend went something like this:
The moment they arrived it was just as I suspected. My brothers and I hung out, ate pizza, watched movies and swam in the lake. The next day, as I worked in the office they helped Juan until it was time to begin counselor training. The excitement just built as old friends and new friends all began to arrive. This would be our Summer Camp Team! I remember feeling blessed, leaning up against the chapel wall, a brother on either side, just watching as people arrived. Suddenly, the door opened and stepped in one person. One person who would change the entire summer. Little did I know this person would steal the most important thing in my summer experience: MY BROTHER! In stepped Kyle Ashcraft.
The moment he walked in the door, Hunter leaned over to me and said, "Hey, he looks like our cousin Kyle!" and that was it. I had lost my brother for the summer. For the rest of training week, wherever Kyle was, there was Hunter and visa versa. Our first week of camp came around and was about to end. I was super excited because the weekend meant I could hang out with my brothers! But my dreams were crushed when at a meal my brother said, "I think Hunter P. and I are going to the beach with Kyle this weekend." WHAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure smoke came flying out of my ears. You have got to be kidding me. Yep, the summer wasn't what I expected. In fact a typical Kyle weekend went something like this:
Typical Saturday:
- Wake up to a brother walking into my little trailer looking for food or doing devos.
- Finding some coffee that Hunter Pardue probably made as the "Hunters" talk about KYLE.
- Swim the lake as the "Hunters" talk about their evening plans with KYLE.
- Find some lunch as the "Hunters" are texting KYLE.
- Get Pelicans as the "Hunters" take pictures of themselves to send to, you guessed it, KYLE.
- Get dropped off at home so the "Hunters" can go spend the night with KYLE.
I had lost the battle. Yep, my brother had a new best friend. All those plans for my weekends with my brothers were pretty much foiled. Don't get me wrong I had a great summer! I have some great memories with Hunter and Caleb, they just all seem to have something to do with Hunter, Hunter and Kyle and what has come to be known as the bromance triangle.
So were my Summer Weekends......
#bromancetriangle
Monday, July 8, 2013
What a day this has been.........and it's only 10am!!!!
I think it is pretty safe to say that my life is abnormal! But, it is exciting non the less. This weekend was typical, in the sense that is was abnormal. It was a late Friday night and camp had just ended. Kollin and I had gone to the gas station to get some snacks and across the parking lot I saw D'anna and Delisa. We yelled across the parking lot to each other. They of course used their funny accents. As we were walking through the door, Kollin turned to me and asked, "So, are they womenwones?" I looked at him with a strange faced and said, "What?" completely confused, I asked him what a "Womenwone" was. He said, "You know "WomenJuans" they are girls trying to talk like Juan." Now, if you know Camp Gilead and the Camp Director "Juan" who is originally from Uruguay, then you know that was pretty funny! Well....I got a laugh out of it. We made it back to my place where Caleb, Kollin and I spent the next hour or so chilling in my living room, enjoying some cousin time. Right before Caleb left to go to bed, Hunter bounded up the door. He had gone to get dinner with some guys and by the time they had gotten back the gates were all locked. Of course, he jumped the fence. Logical solution right. Oh wait, it gets better. It proves whatever is wrong with me runs in my family. I'M NOT ALONE!!!! LOL
Hunter and I ended up talking for the next hour or two. We lounged on the pull out sofa, (since it takes up my entire living room) He was on one side with his feet one direction and I was on the other side feet in the other direction and there lay Kollin in his sleeping bag in the middle. Poor guy, needed sleep and didn't get it. Times like those make you homesick. Staying up into the wee hours of the night with your brother and talking about life. What we did when we were kids what is happening and what we want to do in the future. I have to say I am blest. But, all good things have to come to an end and the end for this good thing was about 1am the next morning. I had to get sleep and Kollin needed some too, seeing as how we had to be up and gone by 5:30 the next morning.
5:30 came too soon. I wasn't really awake but I drug myself out of bed, pulled on some clothes and went to shake Kollin awake. He groggily woke up, got dressed and grabbed his bags. We pulled back the curtain and opened my sliding door and started to walk out. What should we see but Hunter in a sleeping bag, laying at the bottom of my steps!! He sat up and simply said, "They locked me out of the Cabin last night." BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! Kollin and I headed to the car and as we were about to leave Hunter said, "I'm going to go inside and sleep." Sure Hunter, you go sleep. I shook my head in disbelief. Oh my brothers. The next hour was a quiet ride as Kollin was asleep most of the way. We made it though, safe and sound.
The airport, was an airport. We got in, we got his ticket and my pass, we got all our questions answered, we made it through security and to the gate. At the gate the lady informed us that the flight was very full and there were many standby's. She asked us to take a seat and she would page us if he got on. So we sat. Kollin ate a donut and I drank my coffee. Praise the Lord for Starbucks in airports! Finally, the flight attendant paged Kollin "Bar-j-er." Despite he mispronunciation, we went to the desk. Whew, he made it! Barley. After a long, bater between attendants getting people on the plan, they finally escorted Kollin down the to the plane. I hugged him good-bye and sat by the window to wait.
"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." -Abraham Lincoln
I sat no longer than a few seconds when I turned to see Kollin by the desk again! UH OH!!! I go to up to the flight attendant who informed me, rather rudely, that he cannot have a connecting flight and travel as an unaccompanied minor! Excuse me!!!! I kept asking them if it would be a problem. You saw the paper several times before you let him on!! What's the problem!! Well, she left me with about 10 seconds to decided what to do. Basically I had to let the plane leave and then figure out how to get my cousin home. After a phone call to my uncle, a chat with the flight attendant, my uncle's chat with the flight attendant, and a lady who was trying to be nice but was annoying trying to explain the situation to me, we were escorted down the hall. There we met a man in a red jacket. He seemed pleasant at first, but as time wore on I could tell he was upset and bothered that he had to deal with me. To be honest I didn't even want to put him on a flight after that fiasco. I would stinkin' drive him to Kansas myself!!!
I personally don't like to quibble with authority. I understand rules and that they have to be there but this treatment was ridiculous. When I finally put my foot down and got him on a flight, (I went up to that man. It took all the courage I had in me) and told him that the situation was handled horrible. He wanted to play the blame game. To make sure nothing else went wrong I sat and waited and watched as his plane left the ground. A sigh of relief! I started my way back to the parking garage. I got on the tram, found my way to baggage and then the elevator. I hoped on and waited. Stop 1. People got on and off. Stop 2. More people on and off. By the third stop I was getting suspicious as to why my floor hadn't come up yet. Right before the door opened again and a mom and daughter stepped on, I realized I had forgotten to hit the button!!!!! BAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Oh wait people. SHHH.........I silently sit in the elevator laughing on the inside really hard but hoping the people don't see cause they might think I am laughing at them but I'm not. Anyways, I made it to my car, put the key in the ignition, and glance at my dash. OH MY! It's only 10 O'Clock!!! What a morning!
Monday, June 3, 2013
The Art of an Unexpected Action
You know those times when you do something unexpected? The times you decide to be random, to break out of your comfort zone and do something crazy and abnormal? You don't have times like that? Oh dear, my fear is confirmed! I'm crazy! LOL I think half the randomness of my life is due to occasions like the above
I wasn't always the most flexible person, nor a
m I one to break rules. But, somewhere along the road I learned to fly by the seat of my pants. My dad once told me something profound that I often think of. "Jacquelyn," he said to me, "Jacquelyn, you have to learn to make your plans in the sand, NOT the cement. In sand God can easily erase and redirect, but cement, he has to pull out the drill and that hurts and takes time." Ya, I was always one to make my plans in the cement. That didn't usually go to well.
I loved order. Still do sometimes. Every Fall brought the same thing. I was ready to start school. Ya, I know I'm weird like that, but I really was ready. Our new school books would arrive in the mail, my mom would make us new planners, she wrote out the daily schedule and put it on the board downstairs. It was a masterpiece of orderliness and precision. The day came, she woke us up and I stepped down the steps in my fresh new uniform. (Yes, I had to wear a uniform even though I was homeschooled. I blame that on my cousin Kendra! I'm not bitter at all.) Anyways, I stepped down the stairs and started the schedule. 7:30 Breakfast. CHECK. 8:00 Devotions. CHECK. 8:30 Fives (a type of chore). CHECK. then we hit around 9 O'Clock and thats when things got a little sticky. I was scheduled to do history or science, but I had to have mom to teach the lesson. Mom, however, had to deal with another child.
Every year it was similar yet different. If we were scheduled to go to the zoo it would rain. Planned to go on a field trip to see goats and caleb throws up in the car.....all over kelsey and my's hair. True story. It was gross. But you get the idea. Plans changed, life happened and mom asked me to be flexible. I couldn't handle and would throw a fit. I ended up upstairs in my room, and for several hours, (In which I could have gotten something done) my mom was dealing with my bad attitude. All that to say, it must be a work of God, for me to be able to stray from my predestined path.
It really started when I could drive, and grew after I had left home. My cousin kerri and I used to randomly pack up, grab lunch, and start to drive. Some of the best vacations I have ever had were the day trips to Grenola KS. God used my father to cause me to realize that one day I would leave home, so I needed to take every moment to pour into my siblings and family while I was still home. One day I decided to pour into my brother, and took him to a movie. It was the Christmas Carol. We had the whole theater to ourselves. I'll never forget that day. I cant tell you how many times I have called up a friend to say, "Hey are you do anything right now? Good lets go on an adventure!" Maybe it was coffee and chilling at grandmas. Maybe it was a walk in the woods that turned into an interesting endevour, maybe it was a picnic, ice cream or a sonic happy hour. Whatever it was it was always memorable. God began to grow a love for change and travel within me. Good thing to since I've moved about 5 times in the last 2 years.
Leaving home makes you realize how much you miss those moments you spend with others. The moments to irrationally throw yourself into a situation that turns out to be a fantastic memory. Some of my best memories are from exactly that. The time my cousin kerri and I randomly left the city, packed up and headed to the land for the day. Or the spur of the moment movie with my little sisters and two cousins their age. The millions of instant picnics, the times I would decide to "drop by" someones house. They are moments I will never forget! And I will never regret! Do something spontaneous! Not for yourself, the pleasure you get from it. No, do it because life is short. God put us here to do something. To leave a hand-print on lives. Not our hand print, no. A hand print of someone much greater. HIM.
I wasn't always the most flexible person, nor a
m I one to break rules. But, somewhere along the road I learned to fly by the seat of my pants. My dad once told me something profound that I often think of. "Jacquelyn," he said to me, "Jacquelyn, you have to learn to make your plans in the sand, NOT the cement. In sand God can easily erase and redirect, but cement, he has to pull out the drill and that hurts and takes time." Ya, I was always one to make my plans in the cement. That didn't usually go to well.
I loved order. Still do sometimes. Every Fall brought the same thing. I was ready to start school. Ya, I know I'm weird like that, but I really was ready. Our new school books would arrive in the mail, my mom would make us new planners, she wrote out the daily schedule and put it on the board downstairs. It was a masterpiece of orderliness and precision. The day came, she woke us up and I stepped down the steps in my fresh new uniform. (Yes, I had to wear a uniform even though I was homeschooled. I blame that on my cousin Kendra! I'm not bitter at all.) Anyways, I stepped down the stairs and started the schedule. 7:30 Breakfast. CHECK. 8:00 Devotions. CHECK. 8:30 Fives (a type of chore). CHECK. then we hit around 9 O'Clock and thats when things got a little sticky. I was scheduled to do history or science, but I had to have mom to teach the lesson. Mom, however, had to deal with another child.
Every year it was similar yet different. If we were scheduled to go to the zoo it would rain. Planned to go on a field trip to see goats and caleb throws up in the car.....all over kelsey and my's hair. True story. It was gross. But you get the idea. Plans changed, life happened and mom asked me to be flexible. I couldn't handle and would throw a fit. I ended up upstairs in my room, and for several hours, (In which I could have gotten something done) my mom was dealing with my bad attitude. All that to say, it must be a work of God, for me to be able to stray from my predestined path.
It really started when I could drive, and grew after I had left home. My cousin kerri and I used to randomly pack up, grab lunch, and start to drive. Some of the best vacations I have ever had were the day trips to Grenola KS. God used my father to cause me to realize that one day I would leave home, so I needed to take every moment to pour into my siblings and family while I was still home. One day I decided to pour into my brother, and took him to a movie. It was the Christmas Carol. We had the whole theater to ourselves. I'll never forget that day. I cant tell you how many times I have called up a friend to say, "Hey are you do anything right now? Good lets go on an adventure!" Maybe it was coffee and chilling at grandmas. Maybe it was a walk in the woods that turned into an interesting endevour, maybe it was a picnic, ice cream or a sonic happy hour. Whatever it was it was always memorable. God began to grow a love for change and travel within me. Good thing to since I've moved about 5 times in the last 2 years.
Leaving home makes you realize how much you miss those moments you spend with others. The moments to irrationally throw yourself into a situation that turns out to be a fantastic memory. Some of my best memories are from exactly that. The time my cousin kerri and I randomly left the city, packed up and headed to the land for the day. Or the spur of the moment movie with my little sisters and two cousins their age. The millions of instant picnics, the times I would decide to "drop by" someones house. They are moments I will never forget! And I will never regret! Do something spontaneous! Not for yourself, the pleasure you get from it. No, do it because life is short. God put us here to do something. To leave a hand-print on lives. Not our hand print, no. A hand print of someone much greater. HIM.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Romantic Notions and Idiotic Ideas
There is a secret I try so desperately hard to keep hidden, but it always slips out eventually. I am a hopeless romantic. I blame it on the many books I read when I was younger. I can't help it, anything I see or read or hear, I file and something always reminds me of something else. It is so bad that when I was younger I was constantly narrating my life. No, I don't think you understand or grasp the severity of this. If I were to walk out the door of my house this is what would be happening in my head,
"Jacquelyn slowed pushed open the glass door and stepped out into the sunshine. She slowly walked across the porch and down the steps, breathing in the fresh air. She felt the cool grass beneath her bare toes as she stepped down from the porch into the yard......."Yes, it was that bad. I used to write and write and write. I carried a notebook everywhere. I know why now. If I didn't I am sure my head would have exploded with everything that was going through it. The problem with romantic notions is that if you step back and look at them logically, they can be kinda stupid. I can't tell you how many times I have convinced my friends to go on some sort of hike, because it was a "Romantic notion" and ended up getting lost, drug through mud or something. One time I thought it would be cool to turn off the main road and drive through the dirt trail that ran around the back of the nursery in town and to the back yard of my grandparents house. My little Mazda doesn't have 4 wheel drive apparently.
When I was about 12, we lived in town and our house backed up to the "woods" with a couple creeks in it. In the summer it was green and covered in vines, EVERYWHERE. It seemed magical. I would often sneak off all on my own and trek through the woods. I had my favorite spot, a ways off. Near the edge of one of the creek beds. There was a log that jutted out into the water. It was the perfect place. I could walk out and feel the moss under my feet as the water trickled over them. Later that summer, I thought to myself, "How mysterious and romantic would it be to sneak out here and make this my special swimming hole, just like in little house and the prairie!" You think, "haha ya right." but that is exactly what I did. I would sneak out there, take a towel with me and jump in for a swim. It because ridiculous and gross when I tell you that the creek was really just water rushing from all the culverts in the surrounding neighborhoods that led to the Arkansas River. They say ignorance is bliss. It must be true.
It gets worse. a while later I was with a cousin's cousin at the Land, in Greonla Kansas. Ya, I know my cousin's cousin, don't you? Anyways, we went for a hike in the woods. We came to the spot by the river where there used to be the main bridge. You can still see the remnants of the rock structure. Right beside it still stands the rail road bridge. I thought, "wouldn't it be romantic to walk across the bridge and into town." So that is what we did. All I can say is it was fun, and if a train had come while we were there we would have died. My uncle wasn't to happy with me when he found out. An idiotic idea? Yes, but a completely romantic notion as well.
You would think I would grow up and get a dose of reality but sometimes my mind floats back to that state of unrealistic romantic notions. Recently I was driving in the golf cart with a friend around campus after dark. The group that was staying there was still out and about, grilling on a huge grill. The smell wafted through the crisp night air and caused us to want to investigate. We drove to the other side of camp and creeply looked on at the festivities, silently wishing we could eat whatever they were cooking. As our golf cart slowly creeped along in the dark, we caught a glimpse of the lake's shiny water underneath the glow of the moon. It looked serene. Suddenly Sarah spoke, "Let's go jump in!" I turned to her, "I'm in JEANS!" I protested. "Take the off." she said jokingly. "There are people around!" I exclaimed in shock at the notion. "I have a sheet." She said with sarcasm. We laughed at the thought of such a ridiculous idea.
The next day we continually joked that we were going to jump in the lake after dark. When dark came, we found ourselves sitting on the couch watching youtube videos until I was utterly exhausted and decided to retire. As I was entering my room, about to get ready for bed, I hollered through the house, "So, I guess we aren't going to jump in the lake?" I could hear her ears prick up as she replied, "You want to?" I thought for a minute and decided why not? So I yelled back, "Yep, I'm getting on my shorts. Let's do this." I could hear the shock in her voice as she said, "Seriously, I totally did not think you were going to agree to this."
Minutes later we were giggling with excitement as we rode on the golf cart towards the lake. We arrived and stepped down. Taking each other's hand, and a firm warning of no screaming, we descended the hill towards the beach. The Lake was a dark mass of black water. Slightly creepy. We stepped onto the ling dock and jogged out the the very end. With only a second delay we took the leap and landed with a splash into the dark abyss. We came up and grasped for air began to giggle. What a crazy fantastic night. Quite a Romantic Notion if I do say so myself. You need those every once in a while, whether or not it ends up being an Idiotic Idea.
Monday, May 27, 2013
A Near Death Experience!
It was a night unlike all other nights, except exceptionally normal. I set out to do what I had never done before and yet and often had done in the past. Yes, it is contradictory. But, that is exactly what it was: extreme fun and extremely terrifying all at once. And as the great "Flynn Rider" said as he began his tale, so I will begin mine...."This is the story of how I died. But don't worry its a very fun story..."
The travel began with myself, pastor Chris, Tara, and 5 youth.The extravaganza was facade under the name "Youth Activity." Don't let the name fool you. It was not all rainbows and kittens. We all hoped in two cars and headed about an hour away to "Old Town" in Kissimmee. (Which is apparently pronounced K-sem-me instead of the way it's spelled which is Kiss-a -me. But, whatever.) It was my first time at this interesting place. As we pulled in I looked with awe at the rides, and shops.
We all gathered together before setting of so that Chris could explain what we were suppose to do. It all seemed easy enough. No one would have suspected what the night had in store for us. We were handed a piece of paper on which, Chris and Tara had made a collection of crazy things the youth had to do as we videoed them. So, the began. It was really funny! Then we stopped in front of a man who was speaking into a headpiece, convincing the crowd to gather closer and watch. Behind him sat a mechanical bull. Ya, you know what's going to happen next. It only took two young girls, with their pitiful cries and tugging on my arms and before I knew it, there I sat on top of that crazy mechanical bull. A crowd began to gather as the man spoke into the headpiece and made fun of my Kansas origins. Before I knew it, I was holding on for my life as the machine turned and twisted faster than a blink of an eye. That was the LONGEST 30 seconds of my LIFE!!! But, I held on. I didn't fall off until I was trying to get off the stupid thing. It was harder than it looked. It took me a while before I could walk straight again.
A few minutes later we had made it past all the shops and found ourselves among all the rides. We stood there a while looking up at them. The youth went back forth from adult to adult begging to ride something. Before long it was decided that some would ride the go carts and others would ride the Super Shot. Which basically just took them up really high and then dropped them. After half of them had gone on the go karts, we started walking to the other ride, tickets in hand. As we walked, they again convinced me to go with them. (I should have said no) I handed my purse to someone to hold and walked up onto the platform. We sat down and got buckled in. Before you could say Jiminy Cricket, we were slowly climbing the tower. Finally we reached the top and stopped. Instead of dropping right back to the ground we just sat, helplessly looking out across the entire town lit up in lights. It might have been pretty if I wasn't expecting to drop at any second. There I was waiting, waiting, waiting, clutching for dear life waiting to drop, but nothing happened!
The first minute we sat expecting it to suddenly drop, thinking that it was the way the ride worked. The second minute I began to relax and try to enjoy the breeze. Minute three came and you could feel every wind, rock the ride. After minute five I got brave enough to look towards the ground to see if I could see anything. I saw people looking up and it made me think something was wrong. I was right, something was wrong. Minute six I began to pray. HARD. Around minute ten, we suddenly dropped, beginning our decent to the ground. As soon as we landed safely, pretty much everyone got out of the seat and ran off the platform. I can't blame them.
Later we found out that the lights had gone out, that the man manning the ride was surprised it stopped and didn't know what to do! He almost turned the power off which would have plunged us to well...disaster! Looking back now I consider myself insane for going up a second time...................
The travel began with myself, pastor Chris, Tara, and 5 youth.The extravaganza was facade under the name "Youth Activity." Don't let the name fool you. It was not all rainbows and kittens. We all hoped in two cars and headed about an hour away to "Old Town" in Kissimmee. (Which is apparently pronounced K-sem-me instead of the way it's spelled which is Kiss-a -me. But, whatever.) It was my first time at this interesting place. As we pulled in I looked with awe at the rides, and shops.
We all gathered together before setting of so that Chris could explain what we were suppose to do. It all seemed easy enough. No one would have suspected what the night had in store for us. We were handed a piece of paper on which, Chris and Tara had made a collection of crazy things the youth had to do as we videoed them. So, the began. It was really funny! Then we stopped in front of a man who was speaking into a headpiece, convincing the crowd to gather closer and watch. Behind him sat a mechanical bull. Ya, you know what's going to happen next. It only took two young girls, with their pitiful cries and tugging on my arms and before I knew it, there I sat on top of that crazy mechanical bull. A crowd began to gather as the man spoke into the headpiece and made fun of my Kansas origins. Before I knew it, I was holding on for my life as the machine turned and twisted faster than a blink of an eye. That was the LONGEST 30 seconds of my LIFE!!! But, I held on. I didn't fall off until I was trying to get off the stupid thing. It was harder than it looked. It took me a while before I could walk straight again.
A few minutes later we had made it past all the shops and found ourselves among all the rides. We stood there a while looking up at them. The youth went back forth from adult to adult begging to ride something. Before long it was decided that some would ride the go carts and others would ride the Super Shot. Which basically just took them up really high and then dropped them. After half of them had gone on the go karts, we started walking to the other ride, tickets in hand. As we walked, they again convinced me to go with them. (I should have said no) I handed my purse to someone to hold and walked up onto the platform. We sat down and got buckled in. Before you could say Jiminy Cricket, we were slowly climbing the tower. Finally we reached the top and stopped. Instead of dropping right back to the ground we just sat, helplessly looking out across the entire town lit up in lights. It might have been pretty if I wasn't expecting to drop at any second. There I was waiting, waiting, waiting, clutching for dear life waiting to drop, but nothing happened!
The first minute we sat expecting it to suddenly drop, thinking that it was the way the ride worked. The second minute I began to relax and try to enjoy the breeze. Minute three came and you could feel every wind, rock the ride. After minute five I got brave enough to look towards the ground to see if I could see anything. I saw people looking up and it made me think something was wrong. I was right, something was wrong. Minute six I began to pray. HARD. Around minute ten, we suddenly dropped, beginning our decent to the ground. As soon as we landed safely, pretty much everyone got out of the seat and ran off the platform. I can't blame them.
Later we found out that the lights had gone out, that the man manning the ride was surprised it stopped and didn't know what to do! He almost turned the power off which would have plunged us to well...disaster! Looking back now I consider myself insane for going up a second time...................
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