Making Life Work - 37L – WHAT KIND OF INSTRUMENT ARE YOU?

            There were a couple of situations I was in these last several weeks where our conversation kept leading towards thoughts about, (with a little tongue in cheek,)  “Does God know how bad it is on earth?”  “What is happening to our prayers?” 

   At the same time, we admitted to each other that we know there is a lot of good being accomplished every day.  Some referred to the Presbyterian Year Book of Prayer which tells us many stories of how the Church is bringing the good news of Christ as well as meeting peoples needs in this world.  Others mentioned other Christian magazines that are faithful in their witness of telling stories about ministries all over the world that are bringing healing in many countries.  

            Yet, we shared our pain for the ugly things happening from shootings, to war, to abuse, to pornography, violence, etc.  When I stop to think about it, I believe things would be much worse if it were not for those of us who have faith and are intentional about praying for solutions and making ourselves available to serve however we can.

Years and years ago I heard an interview between Diane Sawyer and Billy Graham.   She asked him towards the end of the interview whether he thought he was a success or a failure.  He quickly said he thought he was a failure.  She asked why?  He replied, “look at all of the awful things happening in the world.”

I cringed!  I wanted to jump into the TV and announce, “NO!”  I believe if it was not for people responding to God’s call through his ministry, things would be worse.  I believe the same way as far as our ministry in camping!  We did what we felt we were led to do through our ministry.  I look around and see so many in the pastoral ministry, on the mission field, active in the local church, living a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control and gentleness.   I see so many helping those in need through the church. 

            I encourage us all to continue to faithfully pray, believing God is raising up those who can bring a solution to the hurts in the world.  After praying, let us then make ourselves available to be his instrument in whatever way we can!

A Funny Thing happened on the way to camp - 37C - DEVELOPING THE FACILITIES AT THE WOODS

Through the years, because The Woods finances was running in the black, we kept avoiding a major capital campaign by using monies earned from fees from facility use and offering programs.   We added a new kitchen, enclosed the kitchen porch in the back for staff use and storage.   We expanded the pool deck, built cabins near the pool, built the homestead, boxcar, infirmary, staff meadow cabins, enclosed the shop, upgraded bathrooms and cabins including bunks and mattresses, as well as built a house and put in four manufactured homes.

By the time we retired, we did ask Presbytery to take out a loan on the property to help balance the budget and make up for some of the development costs.   Our attitude was since we had put in millions of dollars for upgrading and building new facilities through the twenty years we were there, ending with a loan less than 25% of what we spent was reasonable.  

We knew we had to move forward with the development of the grounds and facilities as the demand for use was increasing.   We turned over several million dollars for materials alone through the years, primarily using our staff and volunteers for development projects, without any major fund raising.  We were able to accomplish this because of the increase use of the facility and because of the success of the programs we offered.

     There was a contractor from one of the churches who helped us with the construction of buildings.  When we were remodeling and adding on to the kitchen, he rallied about forty men to come and “lift” the frame in one weekend for the expansion of the kitchen.  It was amazing and wonderful.   He helped The Woods a great deal with his expertise.   We appreciated his help a lot.

I’ll never forget, however, when they were about ready to put the windows up in the kitchen.  In the design I had included a pass through window from inside the kitchen to the outside.   When we had BBQ’s and outdoor events, we could serve from inside the kitchen directly to the outside and receive dirty dishes without having to go through the kitchen passage way.   We also ran a high school leadership program (STEP) all summer and they ate outside and they, too, would not have to go through the main doors and interrupt the regular ongoing camps in the dining room to get their meals, etc.   

I needed a wider (than a window sill) flat pass through shelf at the bottom of the window.   The Contractor wanted to put the pass through on a short shelf above the level of the counters.  I really did not want that to happen.  I needed a flat shelf low enough for junior and senior high young people to use for passing dishes and food items safely.   I went to Richard and I said, “do something about this, we won’t change it after it is in.”  Richard went to him and told him I wanted it the other way.   The contractor became very upset and yelled at Richard and said something like, “You go to your Presbytery meetings and leave the building to me.”

He did eventually install it the way I wanted.   However, it was too bad.  He became so angry he did not help us with any other projects.   That was one of those times I was very happy that Richard was a strong person.  That window was used a lot through the years.  Sometimes it was a challenge to meet program needs over easier construction.

Making Life Work – 36L – THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH1

            At lunch today we were talking about some of the horrible catastrophes that are happening all over the world beginning here in So Cal with the fires in San Diego; the horrendous weather across the country; ferry boats capsizing in Asia with hundreds aboard; Children being kidnapped in Nigeria.  All this happening during the normal ups and downs in ones life.  How does one cope?  

For me it is to be intentional in trusting the presence of God’s Spirit to be with all of us and, especially, with those who are directly affected with the loss and pain.   To be grateful that we are not alone.  God is present for healing and the courage to move forward.  To be the community of faith to help in any way possible.  For the community to be faithful in praying for positive resolutions to the situations and for peace of mind and spirit.  To not forget these people and continue to pray that they will sense the presence of God during the many struggles ahead of them.  To be grateful for the testimonies of the miracles that happen in the midst of the tragedies.  

The kingdom of God on earth begins with the community of faith living out the love of Jesus Christ with one another.   

A funny thing happened on the way to Camp – 36C – Westminster Woods FROM TASK FORCE TO COMMISSION

The Task Force became very active.  They came up with ten goals in order to keep the property and develop the ministry at Westminster Woods.   The Westminster Woods program was developed as a satellite of Calvin Crest.  I was still Program Director and responsible for a full summer schedule of programs for all ages at Calvin Crest and for the new programs at Westminster Woods.  Richard was able to stay on the Calvin Crest Board as an Associate Member.  He continued to be the Chairperson of the Westminster Woods Task Force.  

The Westminster Woods Facility was managed by U.C.C.R.  (United Camps and Conferences).  It came into being to manage camps in Northern California which were owned by seven or eight different denominations.  Many camps were not being maintained or used by the churches.  U.C.C.R. became the agency through which churches and other organizations could rent the different facilities.  They were responsible for hiring and firing personnel and managing the Food Service and Maintenance of the Buildings and Grounds.  

The Woods Task Force was exploring the possibility of our taking over the management of the facility.  It was becoming difficult for us to run our programs at The Woods with the U.C.C.R. management group.   We wanted a different pricing strategy for our own camps.   We did not want to be charged for the housing and meals, drinks and snacks for our volunteer counselors and our staff.  We believed we were in partnership with the churches in our camping ministry.   Serving as counselors and staff at camp was an in-service training experience and was an extension of the churches ministry.  Rental groups would provide additional income to help with the finances. 

In 1973 The Presbytery voted for the Westminster Woods Task Force to become a Commission of the Presbytery.  The Commission would be responsible maintaining buildings and grounds, fund raising and development, finances and to develop programs for persons of all ages.   The Commission would be responsible to the Presbytery’s Trustees for any encumbrances that could develop.   The Presbytery elected Richard as the Chair of The Commission.  We were on our way!

Making Life Work – 35L - OOPS!

            Maybe you noticed I have not been blogging for a couple of weeks.  I was getting ready for a Workshop I was going to lead that morning here at Monte Vista Grove Homes.  I have been responsible for our Disaster and Emergency Preparedness on campus for many years.   We have four drills a year and anticipate and practice ways we can be prepared in case of an earthquake, fire, etc. 

I had some supplies in a box and was walking out on my patio to put the box out there for someone else to pick up and take to the place of our meeting.   We’ve divided the campus into 9 areas with a team of residents and staff to take care of utility problems and personal injury situations in each area.  There are about 70+ of us on these teams. 

            All of a sudden I found myself falling forward and landed on the box.  I tripped and as Richard would have said, “the fat was in the fire.”  I broke the box – which I think was my saving grace from hurting myself worse by falling straight to the ground.  I also broke my metatarsal on my left foot.  So a night in the hospital to make sure I didn’t fall because of a stroke, taking cat scans and x-rays and then going to an orthopedic surgeon to diagnose what treatment was needed.  He said it is not a break that warranted surgery or a cast.  He put me into one of those lovely big black heavy boots.  I was so thrilled I didn’t have to be in a cast I would have jumped for joy but thought I better not. 

            Needless to say I have been out of commission a bit emotionally and physically.   Thank goodness for the resource of faith, comfort, courage and hope, I am more than half way back.  I still hate the heavy boot but going to the doctor tomorrow to see what’s next.  Thank you to those who have known and been praying for me.  Believe me the presence of God’s Holy Spirit is faithfully walking beside me and sometimes holding me when needed.