Archive for August, 2008

California Cruising

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

We were in Malibu a total of 6 days (thanks Sister 3), in Fresno for a dozen nights (thanks Dad and Mom) and are now finishing up 3 nights in Stockton (thanks Wray family). We got to visit Antioch (CA, that is) where my brother and his family live, but our California cruising in a VW Beetle is almost over.

It has been fun teaching at the College church in Fresno. People have been very gracious and there’s but one more time that we will be with them. These last few days we have been stocking up on good reading material, finishing up other books we started earlier on during the trip, and getting the postcards written. Postcards are very important to the Swiss, so Steph has already written up about a dozen. Now, it’s my turn.

I have loved seeing some of my fellow bloggers (think Randy and Steve). Blogging is a tie that binds. (Now, if I could only master Facebook.) Randy took me out fishing 3 times (he kicked my butt) but that’s okay. I was using his gear.

Son 2 finally got his luggage there in Searcy. He even got the classes and schedule he wanted (thanks Robert), so all is good. Looking forward to seeing him on Labor Day.

Be good today. And remember, what you do and what you say counts.
 

Posted in Furlough | 5 Comments »

Patience

Friday, August 22nd, 2008

Thanks for your patience. I have no idea if folks are coming to the blog from time to time, but if you have, sorry about the lack of information. I am not on a regular schedule, and that keeps me from putting up the posts as I’d like.

Son 2 made it to Searcy, Arkansas. His 1st cousin once removed picked him up in Little Rock, without baggage, which seems to be our modus operandum these days. I am just happy that we didn’t have to pay for the baggage since the tickets were bought months and months ago.

I picture him moving into his dorm today. He throws his backpack on the floor, the one he carried on the plane and, VOILA, he’s moved in. If all of life were as easy. Of course, he has no deodorant, towels, change of clothes… Should be a fun few days.

The rest of us miss him already. He’s a good son, a fun brother, and a pleasure to be around.

Yes, I miss him already. But couldn’t be prouder…

Posted in Family | 6 Comments »

This guy takes a trip

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

I wept with the weepers when Randy told of his cancelled flights and difficulties in travel. No fun, that.

But there was this guy who went on a trip to California with his family. He was booked on an airline I won’t mention by name, but it rhymes with "American Hairlines". For some reason, the two kids he was traveling with were on a different booking and got their boarding passes and such without diffuculty. This guy and his wife could only get the Geneva-London part because they were dual booked to the same city but on two different itineraries. No problem, of course. London Heathrow would take care of it.

Yet London couldn’t take care of it. In fact this guy’s luggage, with that of his wife’s, was heading to Dallas. Actually, it was NOT heading to Dallas because luggage doesn’t go on a plane when the owner of said luggage isn’t on the luggage’s plane. But that was okay, Los Angeles would take care of it.

12 hours later, upon arrival in Los Angeles, there was a passport line (easy), a waiting for your luggage line (very long, because this guy’s bags didn’t come… They were still in London) and a waiting to get out of the terminal line. The officer in the customs’ line was giving advice to every family about which sites to see in Southern Cal, which made the process 7 times as long as any other line. (But everyone did learn to avoid Disneyland on weekends…)

Then this guy got into the "American Hairline’s" queue for "delayed" luggage. It was (logically) in a different terminal and wo-manned by two motivated employees who had been trained at FAT (Fresno Air Terminal). The queue had at least 35 people in it, and each suit-case took at least 15 mintues to solve. Had people not decided the wait was not worth their luggage, or had they not passed out from exhaustion, this guy’s family would still be in line. He received a receipt, a promise of 50 bucks, and another promise of delivery some time in the future.

The good news is that the shuttle to the car rental came in 3 minutes. A highlight of the day.

(To be continued…)

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Back

Friday, August 1st, 2008

Take a deep breath… We’re back. Internet is up for now (several hours on the phone, a new router, a lot of frustration). It’s amazing how dependent you can become on something that didn’t even really exist for us 7 or 8 years ago.

Our big news is, of course, the end of camp. Over 130 youth, ages 7 to 17 gathered for two weeks of fun, spiritual input, and just hanging out together. Before we left on July 16, wife got a call on July 14. It was the organisers of the camp, wondering if Wife would take over as head cook. The normal cook was ill as could be, and they needed someone to save the camp. She said yes, though she had been very much looking forward to spending two weeks with a room of little girls. BTW, she and her team did a great job.

How can one event be your favorite and least favorite thing all rolled into one? It’s true: When I am there, I count the sleeps until it’s time to go home. Then I get a tear in my eye as we load up the VW bus and start the 4.5 hour drive back home. The camp always pushes me to the limit, phyiscally and mentally, yet I know it is good for my spiritual side.

I had a room with nine teens, ages 15-17. My back was sore at the start, but I was still looking forward to trying out my new heart. During my third game of basketball, on day 7, I turned the old right ankle and it swelled up as big as an egg in about 2 minutes. That put an end to my sports participation, but there were always other things to do. No running or hiking for me for a while. No good news there. What with the ankle pain, my back feels better.

But the classes went well. The singing was beautiful. The evening discussions were uplifting. I learned to appreciate our youth, and those who make great plans for them. God is at work. What else can you ask for? (besides your own bed at night).

Posted in Camp | 3 Comments »