Josiah successfully completed his dog walking week for the neighbors and was happy for the cash it provided. However, once it was over he was glad that he could once again sleep late in the morning. Of course, once you prove yourself a reliable worker, work has a way of finding you out. So, he was offered 2 weeks of dog walking duties. The first time he accepted the job, he thought only of the money and not of the impact on his sleeping in summer schedule. He now understands the sacrifices of work. If he takes the job, his sleeping in is over. The job ends when school starts. I gave him a night to consider his decision. We talked about being a reliable worker to insure future employment and saving up money to buy a car when he gets his license in a few years versus the joy of having nothing to do. Now, I know there are those of you who don’t enjoy being bored, hanging out with no where to go, no errands to run, no one to see, and nothing to do. As for me, I love it. The first time Gabe declared himself bored this summer, I cheered. That’s what summer is for, to be bored. Read a book, look at the fish, watch the birds, play fetch with the dog, pet the cat: there are plenty of things to do around here. This morning, Josiah groaned as he got out of bed, but get out of bed he did. When there’s money to be made, no sleeping in for him.
In my house there are things that have to be done and things that “I will get to” that I never get to. Paperwork, photos, basement, garage can stay in their messy state until a move is forced on me and I must face them or risk opening boxes of junk at the next location. Ignoring major messes only encourages minor messes to join in. I have been watching poke weed growing in my backyard all summer. At knee height, I told myself to pull it up. When it looked me in the eye, I told myself to pull it up. When I could stand under it for shade, I told myself to pull it up. When I finally got to it, I had to use the branch cutters to chop it down. I then threw it over my fence to join the forest of poke weed growing out my back gate. The cabinet over the stove was stuffed with cleaners, medicine, fire starter, and I just kept adding to it. Each time I wanted to get something in the cabinet, I was forced to move five things out of the way. I would then jam everything back in and when returning the item be forced to catch whatever fell out. I finally stood up on a step stool and sorted through it and for good measure cleaned out under the kitchen sink. So, I ask myself…Does minor straightening encourage major straightening? Can I actually tackle the office? Sort and shred, stack and organize, file and display…It pains me to think about it. The fact that for once Dale has to pack and move himself must be getting to me.
Bowling has become Zeke’s game of choice. He is so good at Wii bowling that he beats his siblings. When he had resorted to standing crayons on end for pins, I decided to buy him a children’s bowling set for his birthday. He sets it up on the floor or on the bench and practices quite often. Periodically, all other occupants of the house are forced into games of bowling. When bowling, he puts his game face on. He is already attempting to work on his hook as he releases the ball with his knuckles on top. I see shades of Dale’s Daddy when he throws. At Chuck E. Cheese this week, he spent most of his coins at skee ball. Skee balls are a bit heavy, so I could see that his arm was tiring and I tried to encourage him to move to another game. But he refused to stop. When I wasn’t looking, he’d slip another coin in the slot and throw some more skee balls. Dale may have hope yet to play in a league with his family. Lucky for him, he has enough children that he won’t be handicapped by his wife. Zeke has learned what Dale knows quite well: I am a terrible bowler. When Zeke tired on skee ball, I decided to try to help him out, and he realized quite quickly that maybe I wasn’t much help at all.
Last week, the kids attended our church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) and had a great time. My VBS experiences go way back to summers in Northern Minnesota. I attended the VBS at my church growing up. Then, when I was a teenager, a motley crew of us (Sherri being one) would travel around Northern Minnesota to all the small churches in the boondocks and run VBS. Sometimes two teenagers, sometimes three, depending on the number of children attending would run an all day VBS for a week. We were provided with curriculum and crafts, songs that were on signboards and the ever exciting Sunday School Charlie felt board stories to close out the day. Once Dale and I met, I moved from VBS to Kid’s Crusades and witnessed the tremendous gifting of Dale’s Mama and Plain Old Judy. In all those experiences a few people did a whole lot. Last week, a whole lot of people did a few things each. The result was fantastic. Abby was a helper in the Nursery all week and has sore arms to prove it. We have some heavy babies in the church. My only task was to walk 14 four and five year olds from station to station. I had two teen helpers for this task, one of which was Josiah who was glad when the week ended. I counted the kids constantly for fear I’d lose one. By the end of the week, some of them took to counting as well to help me out. As soon as I thought I had it all under control, one would get loose. As Dennis told me, it looked like I was herding cats. The VBS had great crafts and activities, good storytellers, interesting snacks, plenty of action songs, games that got you wet, and the Rupert traveling theater troop. My favorite part of the skits was when a friend of Abby’s would walk by holding a duck or a sheep and make the animal sound that went with it. She did it so straight faced, it was a hoot. I found the activities especially captivating. The kids made ice cream using a sandwich ziplock of ice cream ingredients inside a gallon ziplock filled with ice and salt. They dyed felt in carrots, beets, and cabbage. They made a plastic cup version of a chia pet person. Every day I was excited to get to the activities room to see what they had thought of next. The craft people were not outdone, however as the kids made stamped bandannas, cow bells, and sheep. I am always amazed at clever craft people as I am utterly lacking in the craftiness that is beneficial to others. The snack woman was also gifted in her task and created all kinds of fun shapes and combinations of foods. It encourages me in this world of technology, that felt board story telling still exists and children still find it fascinating. Each child was given a CD containing the songs about the Fruit of the Spirit. Zeke, of course, loves to sing them all complete with actions. The children donated their allowance (pocket money) for Spanish language Bibles that will be sent to our missionary in Cofridia, Mexico. Barry, who was running the show, had hoped to send 5 -10 Bibles. The children gave so generously and the bookstore owner was so gracious that close to 100 Bibles will be mailed off next week. Barry said he felt as if he had experienced a fish and loaves moment. The end of the week culminated with a County Fair party complete with a Blue Grass Band, cotton candy (fairy floss) and a pie judging contest. My Mom will be surprised to know that I actually entered a pie as my pie making ability is a bit lacking. I am much better at cakes and cookies. I found out that night that there is a master pie maker in our church. She won a hat trick of blue ribbons. It was a great week. I wish I could tell Dale’s Mama and Plain Old Judy about it. I know it would make them smile.
Manrys at VBS
Throughout my life I have had friends, like my brother Rob and Space, who are the life of the party. Yet, when I lived in Australia, I met two people who are not only the life of the party, they are the party. Jed and Liz Brien bring the party with them wherever they go. While in Australia, Dale and I attended one of their 30th birthday parties. The first one was held the last night of Jed’s 20s (They celebrate their birthdays together because Liz was born on Christmas). It was a wild and crazy event. The second was held the next day when they were 30 and must now behave like old people. It was a Lawn Bowling party. Lawn Bowling is something the elderly play in Australia. Dale and I attended the Lawn Bowling party since we were on our way to becoming aged. As with all their parties, it was a blast. A month ago, Liz emailed me that she and the kids might be able to swing by on their around the world visits before they all moved to Mexico to teach in a Christian school. I told her that if she came, I would be at the airport with balloons and an obnoxious sign. When I went to the party shop to choose balloons for the kids, I saw one that said, “The Party is Here!” I knew I had to buy it for Liz. The kids had a terrific time swimming, playing pool, and carrying around Patches. The Briens always arrive ready for a party, so conveniently Zeke turned 4. For Zeke’s party, we played the Brien version of Pass the Parcel, complete with forfeits. We also played musical chairs, musical statues, and musical bobs. The kids found glow in the dark bracelets, shot off party poppers, and blew noise makers that made no noise. I heard all the Aussie news and saw all the Aussie pictures. (Trudy, I’d go with the dark green or dark brown choice) and enjoyed so very much the 2 days that they were here. Please pray for them. On August 7th they start teaching at the Lincoln School in Guadalajara, Mexico. Pray that they will learn Spanish quickly and settle easily. The party will soon be in Guadalajara, Mexico. I hope the Mexicans are ready.
