Kids, Kids, and Newport

Wow! what a fun time we had with our grand kids. After their Sunriver stint they came to Grants Pass and were with us from Monday afternoon to Friday evening. Korak helped me with some yard work, we spent a little time getting ready for Fir Point, and lots of time with the kids. Josiah got to pick blackberries (all over his fingers, face and clothes!) and got to ride his bike in the street and on the bike path. And... get this... he caught a fish!!! Yes, he did. We went to a fish farm near Cave Junction 'cause we knew he wouldn't have the patience to fish in a lake where he might have to wait hours for a nibble. The guy that runs the place was so good with him. His name was Thomas. He showed him how to cast the line out -- which we had to do for him anyway. And then showed him what to look for. Thomas's fish were hungry. And huge. Josiah's line was out about 10 minutes when the bobber went under and stayed under. Thomas said to be patient and reel slowly to sort of tire the fish out. Josiah did it pretty well even though he was anxious to see the fish. Thomas netted it, mom took videos, Joyce took pictures, dad and grandpa popped buttons, and Josiah was excited. It was the first time he had fished so of course the first fish he had ever caught. It was a 19 inch rainbow trout, about 2 1/2 pounds. He fished for another one but his dad did most of the work in catching that one. We paid by the inch so it was not an economical way to get a fish dinner but it sure was a great way to make a boy happy! It was good eating, too. We barbecued it the next day for dinner. Oh, by the way, grandpa had to clean it!!! Josiah watched but he wasn't going to touch those bloody guts.

They left Friday evening with grandpa and grandma in tears. But then it was down to the serious business of getting all our stuff ready for Fir Point Camp. This is a camp about 25 miles north of Grants Pass that a half dozen or so Free Methodist Churches rent to have a resident camp for kids from grade 3 through grade 6 and from grade 7 through grade 10. The two age group camps run simultaneously. Joyce and I taught the Bible story for the younger group. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. We had 45 kids divided into three groups so the Bible story rotated with two other events. This is the camp that I directed for a lot of years so it was interesting being there but not being in charge. The only bummer was that Joyce got sick Tuesday evening. It was like a 24-hour flu but she was weak and sore for a couple days afterward. She's fine now.

And "now" is Saturday evening. We are in Newport again to spend a little time with the new pastor. He and I will discuss, talk, plan, and pray together. My job is to "coach" him. Wednesday we will move over to Aldersgate Conference Center near Salem for Family Camp. And home on Sunday.

It just keeps on going on. And so this is my world. Isn't it fun? What's in your world? We love hearing from you.