From Pool to Pool

Sometimes I wonder how so much can get into one week and then another week has very little. It all began with a call to jury duty. Then there was the sermon preparation time. And it ended with a camping trip.


Last winter I received a letter asking me to report for jury duty on a date when we were still in Arizona. I wrote a letter asking to be excused -- or rather have my report date postponed. It turned out that my contribution to civic duty was to happen the first week in June. (In our system we eligible for one week every two years). Tuesday was orientation and one trial. My number was not called for the trial. That evening I called in to see if I was needed for Wednesday. Nope. Wednesday evening I called to see if they wanted me on Thursday. They did. I ended up being in the "jury pool" in case one of the first 12 was excused. The problem however, was that the trial was for a guy accused of four counts of sexual abuse and the judge described what he supposedly did -- rather graphic, odd, weird stuff. Then the judge asked if any of us would have a problem rendering a fair verdict. Lots of hands went up, including mine. I told her I had counseled too many victims of sexual abuse and I would begin with a strong bias against the guy. So I was excused. It's not that I wasn't willing to do my duty but it would have been impossible for me to be fair.

By this point in the week my sermon was finished so I went home, hooked up the RV and we left for a camping trip. Mike and JoAnn also took their RV and we all went to Belnap Hot Springs, east of Springfield along the McKenzie River in the Cascade Mountains. This picture is the lodge; the hot water swimming pool is just this side of it.


Belnap has a long history for me. When I was a kid, our church had a camp near here (in fact, where I accepted the Lord as my Savior). They would take us to Belnap to swim. Since that time way back in history the whole place has been developed, remodeled, and improved. Now they have two pools, two areas for RV and tent camping, and a beautiful landscaped flower garden for weddings, etc. Our RV site was right on the edge of the river so the rushing water lulled us to sleep each night. And the hot water pool was so relaxing. That is why I titled this "From Pool to Pool," -- I went from the jury pool to the hot pool. Guess which one I like best!


One reason we choose to go here was that I am preaching at the Springfield FM church each Sunday in June. So Saturday afternoon we moved from Belnap to the field next to the church. Not quite as pristine and lovely but it worked. The Springfield church is not large but they are a very loving and caring group. Something happened that has only happened to me one other time -- a lady passed out during the service. I was praying the closing prayer and she fainted. She seemed to think it was caused by a change in her blood pressure medication. After resting for a little bit (and being very embarrased) her husband took her home.


On our way home, we stopped for lunch at Peggy's at Rice Hill. It is just a little homey cafe but known for it's great ice cream. Yes, I imbibed. I see the doctor this week and he is not going to be happy with me! Oh well.