A Quick Away Time

Korak and family arrived last Wednesday. By family, I mean 13 of them! They got in real early in the morning after driving all night so they immediately crashed. There were people sleeping all over the house – I think every inch of carpet was covered with a body. The people were his mom and dad, brother, sister, their kids, and… well, let me simply put “etc.”

Korak and his brother fixed breakfast for us – actually more like a brunch because they slept for a few hours first. A couple of the teen age boys (from LA!) had fun going out and picking wild blackberries – and Josiah had fun showing them where. After brunch they loaded up and left for Portland and a wedding up there. After that, Joyce and I crashed!

Friday evening we realized there was a reunion for Joyce’s high school class at noon on Saturday in Springfield. This is something her class does every year but she had never been to one. So… Saturday morning we threw a change of clothes and a toothbrush in the car and headed north. Joyce had fun meeting some people she remembered and learning about others. There were about 13-15 class members there, plus spouses. We met for pizza along side the Willamette River (Roaring Rapids for you who know the area) under a tent outside. It was really very pleasant – not too hot at that time.

We got a motel, took it easy for the evening, and then attended church where Joyce’s nephew is the pastor. We had not had a chance to be in his church for a Sunday morning worship, so this was fun. He is a good preacher. Joyce’s brother and his wife attend that church and none of them knew we were coming. Great surprise!

Now we are waiting for the kids to return tomorrow. We have a list of jobs for Korak to help me with plus a some days of fun.

Sorry there are no pictures. I didn’t even think to pick up my camera. But good memories all the same.

Back From Camp

The last two weeks have been camp. Two weeks ago it was preparing, last week was IT – kids camp at Fir Point Bible Camp in Glendale (just north of us). This is the camp that our area Free Methodist Churches run for our kids. We rent the facilities but do our own cooking and run the program. We have two camps going at the same time – one for grades 3 to 6 and one for grades 6 to 10. Joyce, Jana and I did the Bible story for the younger group (known as Kids Camp) which involves a lot of “setting the stage” with backdrops and props, then getting the kids involved in the story. It was fun but also a lot of work. There were 41 younger kids and 53 youth. Plus LOTS of staff.
We went up last Sunday afternoon to set up. This year we used a 12 by 20 canopy (the kind you might erect to put your car in) as our meeting place instead of rearranging the back of the chapel. It was set up right next to our RV which made it really convenient. It was also easier on everyone because the long walk up the hill was eliminated. My favorite day was the“shipwreck” the Apostle Paul was in. We had a “ship” backdrop complete with a gangplank to walk up, a sail to raise, and cargo to load (and later toss overboard). The sail is not up in this picture – we are just getting started.
Josiah was a camper this year for the first time. That meant staying in a cabin with other campers and it also meant his mom had to cut some apron strings to let him have a little freedom. He did great – so did mom, though there were moments. Wednesday was not a good day for him and he was a little teary but Jana let him work it out. He had one good cabin leader and one kind of so-so leader. But all in all it was a good time for him. Lilly was a precamper. The speaker for our group was a lady we have known for years. Peggy came with her 3 preschool granddaughters so they and Lilly spent a lot of time together. Peggy watched Lilly while we were doing the Bible story and Jana/Joyce watched her brood in the evening when she was speaking.

I like this one also. This story follows the shipwreck. Paul is now on the island and he gets bitten by a poisonous snake (see it in my hands?). Don’t you love the look on those girl’s faces? I waved it around and hammed it up about being bitten and then threw it in the “ocean.”

Here’s Lilly, Joyce and Jana in the lunch line when they served outdoors

One more of me and then we’ll get to the kids. On the last day Trevor challenged me to ride the Orca down the slip n Slide with him. Well, I couldn’t pass that up. At the bottom we crashed but the Orca wasn’t hurt – neither were we.

Josiah’s cabin. Some of them were trying to make faces; Josiah is the front left guy.

Fun singing the songs and doing the motions.

This group is on their way to find their breakfast. A tradition is that one morning the kitchen staff takes breakfast to some unknown place; everyone has to find it and then eat outdoors.

A group of the campers gathered for a photo-0p. Lilly is in front of Josiah – he is in the blue.

I love this one. Lilly is outside the swimming pool fence on a day she did not get to swim.

Peggy and the Princess Munchkins. The picture tells it all,  doesn’t it?

Mom isn’t “showing” much in this picture but Lilly is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a baby brother or sister next January.

Jana did the presentation the first day. She is Rhoda telling about Peter getting released from prison. Lilly is barely visible in front of Peggy. Oh, by the way… the Munchkins went to a couple of the morning activities – ones they could handle, then Peggy did other things with them.

For the last picture, here is our camper chewing on his shirt while he listens to one of the leaders.
Camp was a blast and it was tiring. I wonder how long I can keep doing it. This coming week Korak arrives and the whole family goes to a wedding in Portland. They will be back later. So stay tuned.

As Our World Turns

As you can imagine, our world revolves around three grandchildren – two very active ones and one unborn. Here is your first glimpse of the unborn one:

I know, these ultra sound images are hard to see. The head is on the right and he/she is sort of looking our direction. It was a whole lot more interesting being there in person. I took Jana to the Pregnancy Care Center to get some literature on how big the baby is and what features are developing because she left all this stuff at home. They loaned her a book and then asked if she would like to have an ultra sound. Normally they do not do this but they need models (i.e. guinea pigs) to practice on. Actually the nurse was very good and very skilled but she hadn’t done a lot of ultra sounds on 3-month fetuses. So we made an appointment and they let all of us into the room to see the actual thing up close and personal. Very amazing!

Before I forget… if you happen to get Highways Magazine, look in the May issue, page 13. In the picture at the top promoting the 2010 Rally in Louisville is a picture of our RV. Its not hard to find -- the little diminutive fifth wheel in the midst of all the BIG Class A’s – right in the front row of the picture. That’s us. Kind of neat, huh? If you don’t have the issue and you want to check it out, go to this web site. I think the link will work for anyone – not just Good Sam members. It will take you to an Acrobat version of the May issue, then scroll down to page 13.

http://d7wompu62zbx1.cloudfront.net/digitaleditions/highways/2121895_DigitalHighways1005.pdf

Weather? Hot! In the 90s and sometimes high 90s. However, for my friends in the east, the humidity is low – you don’t boil to death in your own sweat, you just melt.

One day we went to a children’s festival in Jacksonville. The kids enjoyed it and it gives me an excuse to post a few more pictures of them.

Mother Goose is talking to Lilly and Josiah. I have to admit she really looked like Mother Goose – however that is supposed to look.

Lilly is a ham when it comes to pictures. She can bat her eyes, tip her head and get whatever she wants. I hope she outgrows that.

We tried out a new playground last Sunday evening. Josiah is pretty proud because he can go from one ring to the other without being held up. Lilly still needs help.

But she’s getting pretty bold about reaching out for the bar and sliding down.

The BIG project for us was the yard sale last week. Even though we – mostly Joyce – had sorted everything out weeks ago, it still took lots of time and effort to lay it all out – and I mean ALL. Look at this mass of stuff, from one house.

Back under the tree are a couple sales ladies. Josiah and Lilly sold water, juice and sodas. They did pretty well because it was a hot day. We got rid of a lot of stuff and gave the rest to a family having their own yard sale. At least it is out of the closet and garage.

And so it goes. As I said in the last post, aren’t grandkids wonderful? Yea, they surely are.

Aren’t Grandkids Wonderful?

Ginger, Jana, Josiah, and Lilly arrived on schedule on our wedding anniversary. We had the RV camped at Champoeg State Park near Newberg. The kids had a nearby yurt for their abode. In true Oregon fashion, it rained the day they arrived and a little the next day. But that didn’t keep us from enjoying a campfire and the ever popular (and sugar-level inflating) smores.

Ginger and the g-kids are trying to keep warm, out of the smoke, and still roast a marshmallow. Nothing keeps a true Oregonian camper from his smores!

The kids enjoyed the camping, the Junior Ranger program, and the Ranger guided twilight hike. Then on Saturday we moved our camping to – guess where? Back to Lebanon!!! This time we camped at Gills Landing where we began our Lebanon experience 11 months ago. This time Jana and the kids slept in a tent. I should add that by this time the rain was history and temps were in the mid 90s. However it cooled down at night so sleeping was comfortable.

Our primary purpose in being there was so the kids could get swimming lessons from Lorlee, a friend in the church there. This we did each morning at 9:00. Actually it worked out for Lilly to be in a regular class learning basics like keeping her face in the water. Lorlee worked with Josiah teaching him to turn his head to breath while doing the crawl stroke.

We did various things after the lessons like playing in the river, going shopping, and taking a trip to the top of McKenzie Pass. The top is a huge lava bed with views of mountain tops for miles in every direction.

Beyond Joyce and Lilly are Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington. On the drive up we took a side trip to hike into Proxy falls. It is an absolutely beautiful hike. Actually there are two falls about a quarter mile apart but hard to get good pictures.

Snow is always a fascination for kids – especially kids from Los Angeles. There were still some patches near the top so we stopped for the kids to play.

On July Fourth we attended church at Lebanon FM, then drove into Salem to get haircuts from Debbie, a friend of Ginger’s. Then it was off to Joann’s house in Stayton for a barbecue. Stayton has a very good community fireworks display. So off we went to the high school to sit around ‘til dark to watch fireworks. But it really was good.

Two little kids were enraptured. It was after midnight when we got back to Lebanon and they were sound asleep in their car seats. Last year Lilly didn’t like the noise. This year it was okay.

We drove home Thursday afternoon. It was sure good to be back in a “big” house. Since then we have been in recover mode – resting, cleaning, doing laundry, playing with the kids. It will be nice to be home for two months (except for a week at Fir Point and maybe a trip to the coast).

One last picture I must show you.

Isn’t she lovely? Doesn’t she look like she is putting on weight? Well, she is. No, it’s not fat; it’s a …. yes, a baby. Due date is January. Our plans are all topsy turvy now. But think happy because we are. What a surprise!

As always, stay tuned. There will be more exciting things to come.

Redmond Rocks

So we were home for about 36 hours. We reset the timer for the garden so it would get more water, and installed the timers for the lawn irrigation and water for the photinia. I mowed the lawn, Joyce did laundry, took the pickup for an oil change, and loaded up for kids and grandkids.

Thursday morning we left for Redmond (that’s on the east side of the Cascades for those who aren’t familiar with Oregon). Our church’s Annual Conference was Friday evening and all day Saturday at the Free Methodist Church there. It was typical Conference – a little perfunctory business, some good inspiration, lots of visiting, and (of course) good eating. So that’s all I’ll say about Conference.

I need to add before I forget… the weather was (and is) great. Temps in the 80s, sunshine, wonderful. Wonder if it will stay. Now I want to post a few pictures.

We stayed with friends in their “modest cottage” on 20 acres east of Redmond. Actually their home is gorgeous and designed for entertaining. We had the guest suite with our own bathroom, huge shower, hot tub, gas log stove (but we didn’t need that), and all the luxuries to pamper us. Tough when you have put up with that!!!

This is the view from their front porch -- looking west toward the Cascades. The mountains are (L-R) Broken Top, South Sister, Middle Sister, and North Sister. I just realized I cut off Mt. Bachelor farther to the left.

Mt. Hood is just to the left of Joyce. Just a little tip of it can be seen from their front yard.

Our hosts were Duane and Sonda to the right. The man next to Joyce is Arnie. He is the area representative for the Free Methodist Foundation. I met Duane and Sonda on a trip to Ensenada, Mexico about 10 years ago. They are simply wonderful people whom God has blessed and they honor him in all they do.

This morning we attended worship in Redmond at the Mt. View Church where Annual Conference was held. Their building is about a year old and is very, very functional. And now at 11:00 pm we are sitting in the Lebanon Church parking lot having our last “fix” of internet. Tomorrow we are looking at a house in Salem, then on up to Champoeg State Park for a week of camping. The kids will arrive Thursday.

So, until the next time I have internet… who know when. Blessings.

Nice Weather At Last

It has been a very busy week in Lebanon. We visited lots of people – mostly over a meal so we are stuffed and probably gained 10 pounds. The only meal we have eaten in the RV was a dinner last week and that was left over food from the potluck last Sunday (we ate most breakfasts here).

We have had rain and cold weather; we have had wind and we have had sun. Today was a nice sunny day. Yesterday ended okay but started out with rain. I preached yesterday. Ginger was here and she took us out for lunch.

I took Joyce to see “A Team” tonight. She was thrilled! Yeah, right! I wanted to see it so she tolerated it with me. It is pretty good – lots of shooting, blowing things up, and very improbable heroics. But that is typical A Team.

Tomorrow we have a couple meetings, go home for a couple days, then to Annual Conference. More about that later. Blessings.

One Last Time

We are in Lebanon. We are sitting in the rain. So what’s new? Well, for one thing the rain DID go away for a few days and we had 80* weather – in Grants Pass. We got to Lebanon Saturday and the weather was nice – shorts weather, even! But today and tomorrow is rain. Then… well, maybe some more nice weather.

Last week was mostly the usual – cleaning up, getting things ready for sale or whatever happens. Steve (a carpenter friend) came over and helped me install a new back door. I decided to get a pre-hung door because the other one wasn’t fitting correctly. Joyce started her own project. A long time ago she cut a flowery vine out of old wallpaper, then glued it to the wall in the bathroom – sort of a decorative touch. It is had outlived it’s usefulness so she commenced to take it down. Only problem is she had glued it on with Elmer’s! Boy was it stuck. I think it will look okay when we paint.

I finished reducing eight file drawers down to four. There’s no reason a retired guy needs to have two file cabinets. At least I don’t. Anyone want to buy a file cabinet?

As I’ve said before, the RV has been stored at my sister’s between Lebanon trips. This time we went up Friday evening so Roy and I could get an early start on repacking the wheel bearings. He was my mentor; now I’m supposed to know what to do the next time. After lunch we headed for Lebanon. Again, we are set up in the church parking lot. Our goal is to visit as many people as possible while we are here. So far, most of our visits have been over meals. We are eating way too much!!!!

I preach this Sunday so the preparation is also taking some of my time. It is good. The people here are really great. In fact they had a potluck for us Sunday and gave us a nice money gift as appreciation for being here. It’s humbling.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Yes, it does rain in Oregon. And this spring it has rained too much. Even die-hard webfoots are crying, “enough already!” In February or March the prognosticators were saying the snow pack and rain fall were well below normal and it would be a dry summer. Now they are saying the opposite. I know I’ve had enough and it is dryer in Grants Pass than up in the valley.

I’m thankful for a more laid-back week. On Monday I went down to Boatnik. That’s an annual Memorial Weekend celebration in Riverside Park. Joyce stayed home because she was recovering from a cold. I watched the hydroplane races on the river, and the enjoyed the Memorial Day festivities. The food was good, too.

One of my projects was entering all my sermon file information into the computer. It was in an old program that was not compatible with all the new stuff so I couldn’t update it with recent sermons info. I’ve not updated it in about 6 or 7 years. This is not the sermons themselves; it is a file listing the sermon title, date preached, Bible text, topic, and number. The number is simply an arbitrary number I’ve assigned it and the actual sermon is filed by that number. So, I finally decided the old program was history and reentered everything in Excel – all 920 of them. I finished it Saturday. Yea! Now I have to enter the “new” sermons that have not been cataloged. There is probably a 100-150 of them, more or less. I’ll do that this coming week.

Today we went to church at Jerome Prairie. This afternoon we had another Allen Creek Gang potluck. This time at the home of Richard and Janis on the bank of the Applegate River. Beautiful lawn. Tables and chairs all set up. Nice and warm but not hot. Now, back to that discussion about Oregon rain. It was predicted and looked like it would. We were prepared to make a run for the carport if necessary. But guess what? It didn’t. We had a great time – not as many as last time, but still good. Some of the gang…

 Joe, Koey (behind the flower), Ed, Linda, Ken

Richard at the dessert table

  Sandy, Janis, Harriet, Flora

George, Loretta, Martha

This week will bring more changes. By next Sunday we’ll be in Lebanon. More about that later. Have a good week.