There are two Olympic Sports that I wish the United States performed better in.
Not because it matters to me if we get the medals, but because I want to watch coverage of those sports and haven't been able to see any yet. I think this is because they are sports where we are highly unlikely to medal.
Table Tennis and Handball are sports I wish I was seeing more coverage of. I really don't need to see every semi-final swim race, or the gymnastics qualifying. Those will get plenty of coverage when medals are on the line. Show me the Table Tennis and Handball, even if we are going to lose. They are just cool sports.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Opposite Trips
A week ago, we were finishing a missions trip to the South Side of Chicago. An urban area we went to with ambitions to serve.
Today, we finish a camping trip to Lynd, Mn. A rural area we went to with ambitions to socialize.
The trips felt very different, as they should. They were both experiences I'm glad to have. Both left me sleeping on airmattresses more often than beds.
I am now looking forward to life as "normal" for us and an extended period where we will get to sleep in the way we've become accustomed to.
Today, we finish a camping trip to Lynd, Mn. A rural area we went to with ambitions to socialize.
The trips felt very different, as they should. They were both experiences I'm glad to have. Both left me sleeping on airmattresses more often than beds.
I am now looking forward to life as "normal" for us and an extended period where we will get to sleep in the way we've become accustomed to.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Camping Games
We'll be spending this weekend camping with the Young Adults from Grace Fellowship.
I look forward to the time relaxing together with little on the agenda, but also want to be prepared.
So I'm looking for some suggestions. What are some fun campsite games to play?
I look forward to the time relaxing together with little on the agenda, but also want to be prepared.
So I'm looking for some suggestions. What are some fun campsite games to play?
Monday, July 23, 2012
And We're Back (Chicago 2012)
The adventure to Chicago with the Sr. High group from church has come and gone. Let's relive parts of it.
We got to church for training and prep last Friday and spent time learning about what was upcoming, getting to know each other, praying and preparing ourselves for the adventure. On Saturday, we shifted locations to a camp about 2 hours from here to continue that training and preparation. By Sunday morning, our hearts were full and prepped, and our energy levels high.
Sunday we drove. The car ride went well. Upon arriving in Chicago we faced our first challenge...the AC was broken, and it was hot. No problem, we'll "embrace it" (the unplanned but clear theme for the week).
A training session and dividing into workgroups finished that night.
Monday brought the work projects (helping organize a school, clean an old convent, build a new church, or run a summer camp) and helped those serving together to form strong bonds. The girls AC got fixed (only half the building) and we left to tour a homeless shelter (Pacific Garden Mission). We debriefed as we got back, ate dinner and had another lesson. The guys slept in heat, but he girls donated us their remaining fans.
Tuesday saw work projects continue, and half of our group did "Mealshare." That is where we packed extra bag-lunches, went into the heart of downtown Chicago and walked around looking for homeless/needy people to offer a lunch to and eat with. Tuesday night was our evening off as there was a night service at the church we stayed at. We ate deep dish pizza and went to a beach. This helped refresh us a bunch. The guys slept in the heat again.
Morning work projects again on Wednesday followed by another unique afternoon experience. We rode the "el train" and struck up conversations with strangers. For 2 hours. Night continued with dinner, a lesson, and a trip to the hospital as we had a student faint and forget a few things. Some didn't get much sleep (dealing with hospitals from 11:30-5:15) while the guys still slept in the heat.
Thursday we were exhausted. Work projects drained us. The other half did "mealshare" and we left afternoon free-time for naps and resting. A lesson followed dinner and then the guys slept in the heat.
Friday was our final work day. We finished up work projects and said goodbyes to those we served. Packed up some at the church, had one final lesson, and then team time. The air finally got fixed, so for one night, we all slept comfortably, though followed that with our earliest wake-up time.
Saturday started at 6:15. We left to drive back, with one final experience at a park near Wisconsin Dells. That experience lasted 4 and a half ours in the midst of our drive. We were ready to get home. We headed that way until the car (we had two big vans with a trailer and then our Escape) got a flat tire. We sent one van and the trailer back while the other van and car stayed to get the tire fixed (the spare was only a donut, not a full-size). This adventure was welcomed by the students with "embracing" attitudes. All in all, we got all the students home by 11:00, and the last 3 leaders pulled in at 12:40ish.
God did a lot of things, blessed us in a lot of ways, and showed himself to us in countless stories. The team bonded, displayed their awesomeness to us leaders, and made the trip a lot of fun for us to lead.
Time to return to normal for four days before the Young Adults camping trip this weekend.
We got to church for training and prep last Friday and spent time learning about what was upcoming, getting to know each other, praying and preparing ourselves for the adventure. On Saturday, we shifted locations to a camp about 2 hours from here to continue that training and preparation. By Sunday morning, our hearts were full and prepped, and our energy levels high.
Sunday we drove. The car ride went well. Upon arriving in Chicago we faced our first challenge...the AC was broken, and it was hot. No problem, we'll "embrace it" (the unplanned but clear theme for the week).
A training session and dividing into workgroups finished that night.
Monday brought the work projects (helping organize a school, clean an old convent, build a new church, or run a summer camp) and helped those serving together to form strong bonds. The girls AC got fixed (only half the building) and we left to tour a homeless shelter (Pacific Garden Mission). We debriefed as we got back, ate dinner and had another lesson. The guys slept in heat, but he girls donated us their remaining fans.
Tuesday saw work projects continue, and half of our group did "Mealshare." That is where we packed extra bag-lunches, went into the heart of downtown Chicago and walked around looking for homeless/needy people to offer a lunch to and eat with. Tuesday night was our evening off as there was a night service at the church we stayed at. We ate deep dish pizza and went to a beach. This helped refresh us a bunch. The guys slept in the heat again.
Morning work projects again on Wednesday followed by another unique afternoon experience. We rode the "el train" and struck up conversations with strangers. For 2 hours. Night continued with dinner, a lesson, and a trip to the hospital as we had a student faint and forget a few things. Some didn't get much sleep (dealing with hospitals from 11:30-5:15) while the guys still slept in the heat.
Thursday we were exhausted. Work projects drained us. The other half did "mealshare" and we left afternoon free-time for naps and resting. A lesson followed dinner and then the guys slept in the heat.
Friday was our final work day. We finished up work projects and said goodbyes to those we served. Packed up some at the church, had one final lesson, and then team time. The air finally got fixed, so for one night, we all slept comfortably, though followed that with our earliest wake-up time.
Saturday started at 6:15. We left to drive back, with one final experience at a park near Wisconsin Dells. That experience lasted 4 and a half ours in the midst of our drive. We were ready to get home. We headed that way until the car (we had two big vans with a trailer and then our Escape) got a flat tire. We sent one van and the trailer back while the other van and car stayed to get the tire fixed (the spare was only a donut, not a full-size). This adventure was welcomed by the students with "embracing" attitudes. All in all, we got all the students home by 11:00, and the last 3 leaders pulled in at 12:40ish.
God did a lot of things, blessed us in a lot of ways, and showed himself to us in countless stories. The team bonded, displayed their awesomeness to us leaders, and made the trip a lot of fun for us to lead.
Time to return to normal for four days before the Young Adults camping trip this weekend.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
One Whirlwind to the Next
The weekend with the wedding and preaching is over, and today my body and emotions recovered from their exhaustion. The next few days feel like they'll be calm, but come friday, the "storm" hits again.
The adventure that is July ramps back up with the Senior High Missions Trip. Looking forward to building new relationships with students, strengthening some others, and seeing God move in acts of serving instead of just times of worship service.
Exhaustion will come again, but again it will be at the tail end of God's movement. That always makes it worth it.
The adventure that is July ramps back up with the Senior High Missions Trip. Looking forward to building new relationships with students, strengthening some others, and seeing God move in acts of serving instead of just times of worship service.
Exhaustion will come again, but again it will be at the tail end of God's movement. That always makes it worth it.
Saturday, July 07, 2012
Busy Weekends
My weekend is packed this week. Wedding rehearsal tonight, wedding tomorrow, preaching the Sunday services on Sunday morning.
Weirdly, the next bunch are packed also. 2 our on a missions trip, the next is a camping trip, after that is an event on Saturday and a picnic on Sunday.
Next weekend to think about is August 11-12.
Weirdly, the next bunch are packed also. 2 our on a missions trip, the next is a camping trip, after that is an event on Saturday and a picnic on Sunday.
Next weekend to think about is August 11-12.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Privileged and Backwards
I've been realizing the last couple of days that I'm privileged but that a bunch of our "developed" world is backwards.
I'm privileged that in 100 degree heats, I get to work indoors with air conditioning, drive with air conditioning and live in a house with air conditioning. I pick the temperature and based on most people's complaints and the occasional trouble I have falling asleep if I don't use that benefit, this is a privilege.
It's also very backwards. We ask for the weather to warm up, then stay in side with air conditioning on, until it cools down and we turn up the heat and wish it was warmer.
I don't complain about the weather often in really public ways, and actually don't get why it is what people want to spend so much time talking about. Life exists beyond the weather and while the weather affects our activities, people do more.
The right people around beat the right weather anytime. I'm far more privileged by the people I have around than I am by my ability to control the temperature. Chances are you are too.
I'm privileged that in 100 degree heats, I get to work indoors with air conditioning, drive with air conditioning and live in a house with air conditioning. I pick the temperature and based on most people's complaints and the occasional trouble I have falling asleep if I don't use that benefit, this is a privilege.
It's also very backwards. We ask for the weather to warm up, then stay in side with air conditioning on, until it cools down and we turn up the heat and wish it was warmer.
I don't complain about the weather often in really public ways, and actually don't get why it is what people want to spend so much time talking about. Life exists beyond the weather and while the weather affects our activities, people do more.
The right people around beat the right weather anytime. I'm far more privileged by the people I have around than I am by my ability to control the temperature. Chances are you are too.
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