Choosing to Make Life Work – 32L - HOW DO YOU FEEL?

            Do you feel a part of your family?  Do other family members feel a part of your family?  Do you feel a part of the team where you work?  Or, the Church where you attend and serve?   It seems some of us are walking through life unsure where we fit in.  We feel insecure and not sure where we belong.  Others of us feel like we are in charge and have the whole world on our shoulders.  We practice directing people here and there and expect them to accomplish our vision for the family, the work place and the Church. 

            Richard and I began what we called Family Council when the children were very young.   We did this because we wanted our children to feel a part of the decisions that were being made about and for them.  Our goal was to let them know they had in put.   We sincerely wanted to know what their opinion was and how fair or not fair the decisions really were.  This was not totally democratic.   We used to laugh about the fact that when all was said and done, dad and mom had 5 votes.   I am not sure if the children thought that was funny?  We hope they felt that we did modify some of our decisions because of their feelings and experience now and then.

            It is my opinion that this type of interaction promotes “team spirit.”  We are all in this together.  It is valuable to be on the same page of reviewing our goals and objectives together.   We use to say we hire people or ask for volunteers that will make us look good--do what we could not do alone.  No one can do it all – even in the family.  We need many hands, feet and minds.  Encourage conversation - listening and talking where ever you are and "start over" when ever you need to.

A funny Thing happened on the Way to Camp - THE DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER AGE CAMPS

Logging and Outdoor Camps: After developing Sherwood Forest, with the help of other pastors, Christian Educators and young adults, in 1967, I coordinated the development of a Logging Camp and an Outdoor Camp for Junior Highers.   I researched history books about the development of logging camps as people moved westward.   We applied some logging terms to what we were doing and had many logging activities like log rolling;  hammer and nail tournaments; and other such activities that lent itself to the theme.

Another activity we installed was the “Zip Line.”   This was a cable wire attached to a tree on one side of a long meadow and the other end attached to another tree.   It was about two football fields long.  Campers would get on a “T” bar.   They would stand on a cross bar with their feet and hold on to the horizontal bar with their hands.  It would swoop them down and across the meadow in less than a minute.  The screams and clapping and noises of joy would echo throughout the camp.

We had only one serious accident on this “joy ride” at least through the 13 years I was there.  One of the Pastors, who was large and heavy got on, and the cable broke at the middle of the ride.  We thanked God that he was not seriously injured and recovered from that experience in a reasonable length of time.

 Senior High Conferences: In 1968 we designed a Coffee House type Conference for Senior Highers. We used the Acts Alive curriculum by Lyman Coleman which was strong in small group discussions.  The senior highers would listen to a Bible Study speaker in the mornings.  After lunch we would have a variety of workshops including music, art, audio, video, writing and dance.  After the evening campfires including a message from a Pastor, the senior highers would put on their own “Celebrations.”  It was amazing to see what they would interpret through the different creative forms of the happenings that week. It was wonderful, inspirational and fun.

 Assistants in Mission: We also designed a discipleship program called Assistants In Mission (AIM) for ten to fifteen high schoolers who would stay for three weeks at a time.  At Westminster Woods we called this program, Service Training Educational Program (STEP).

We had Caravan weeks when we would send a group of senior highers with an adult to the inner city or to help another Presbytery with their camping programs.   Out of the Caravan weeks we recruited many people to work on our staff.   Dallas and Ginny Wassink were recruited this way.  Kathy Logan had gone on a Caravan to Lodi and introduced the Wassinks to the ministry of camping.  They were with us for eighteen years and were  instrumental in developing Westminster Woods together with us.

Adult Conferences for College Age, Young Adults, and Parents: In the course of the years we also developed college and family conferences.  This program included a Bible teacher in the mornings with sharing in small groups, afternoon crafts and games as well as speakers using topical issues in the evenings.

 Adventure Camp for Pre-Schoolers:  It was fun when we created this camp for first through third graders.  The campers were so cute while they were at camp.  It was a three-day camp.  They had fun walking alongside the creek, eating outdoors and sleeping in tents.  The campers did great but it was hard to get mothers to say goodbye.  We knew once the mothers were out of site most of the campers would be fine.

Trail Camps for Senior Highers:  We also led Trail Hikes; Bike Rides; Canoe Trips and Rock Climbing Periodically.  We had someone on the Board as well as a couple of staff people who were able to give leadership to these events.  To be honest, these were scarry for me but the campers and families appreciated our sponsoring these programs.   Brave Lady of the Forest I was!?!

Choosing to Make Life Work – 31L - APPRECIATING OTHERS

            Appreciate others as you would want them to appreciate you.   This is the beginning of  “Loving your neighbor as yourself.”   I like to say it this way – “Love your neighbor as you would like to be loved.”  Who is your neighbor?  Jesus is clear.   He told the story of The Good Samaritan—going out of your way to help those in need.  How about his urging that we help the widows, the hungry, the poor, those in prison?  And, of course, the very difficult one about loving our enemies. 

            Sometimes those we have the hardest time with are those we work with, those we volunteer with and, yes, of course, those in our family and extended families.  It is amazing what is accomplished in our homes, church and work when we are committed to making the “team” work together.  We do not necessarily have to like everyone but if we are living and working together, it is more satisfying if we practice loving by accepting each other’s efforts and celebrate them. 

            Again, take the time to write down the person’s characteristics you appreciate and the ones you do not like.

By writing these down, it forces us to take a look at what our real feelings are.  As we are committed to each other’s success, we live and work in harmony with one another.  We become active peacemakers and experience the abundant life Jesus said he came to extend to all.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp -- 31C – SHERWOOD CAMPER STORIES

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp --  31C –  SHERWOOD CAMPER STORIES

I had a white VW bug I used at Calvin Crest because Sherwood Forest was about a mile down the hill from main camp.   It was great for going up and down the hill from Sherwood to the main camp and then up to the outpost camp.  Ted used a motorcycle.  Luke Fritz, a Board Member who lead trail camps, suggested I should use a donkey in the forest to go up and down the hill.   I opted for the VW…..

Once in Sherwood Forest there was a young boy who would get very upset.  He would grasp onto a small tree and hug it.  He would not let go.  The counselors tried different things to get him to let go.  As long as we let him feel safe near the tree he eventually let go to eat his lunch..…

Another time we were having our counselors meeting in the Friar’s Hut, where the Pastor stayed for the week.   All of a sudden we heard a ruckus going on outside.  Campers shouting and yelling.  When we went out to look, one of the young boys had climbed way up in the redwood tree.  We had to use creative ways to get him down safely.  We depended on miracles daily…..

            There was a young boy who had quite a temper.   He would hit the kids in his cabin.  The Counselor and Pastor asked me if I could help.   I called the boy over and gave him a hammer and nails.   I put them in front of the Friar’s hut.   I said every time you want to hit someone come here and hammer nails into this board.   Let’s see how many nails you hammer in each day.   It worked and he soon hammered less and less each day….

            I had a reputation for being able to talk the campers who became homesick into staying at camp.  I would make short term contracts with them.   I would promise to meet them at the next activity and check up on how things were going.   Invariably this approach worked.   If they were really unhappy and wanted to talk with their mom or dad, I would agree…..

            Before they came to my office to make the call to their parent, I would call the parent and alert them to the call that was going to be made to them by their child.   I would suggest to the parent to  encourage the camper to stay.  I made an agreement with the parent that if they supported my short term contract approach, that I would keep tabs on the camper for them the rest of the week.  Most of the time parents were cooperative and appreciated the time I spent with their child.  Otherwise, they would come and take the camper home.  I can count on one hand how many times the camper went home in 30 years.  Good news!.....

            I’ll never forget one mom really hung in there with me.  Her son wanted to go home so badly and she didn’t budge and said she just could not come to get him that day.  I suggested he come to my office when he felt homesick.  He would come to my office or house every time he was unhappy and we’d talk and he’d go back.   By the end of the week he did not want to go home.  I loved those kinds of results…..

            Every week there was a man who had a pig farm who would come to pick up our food garbage to feed his pigs.  This was even before we were into recycling.   The campers would remark that the “pig man” was here.  They would get all excited to see him.  He would smile and wave.  Somehow they were drawn to the fact that we had a joint mission together with feeding the pigs…..

One year a junior age camper forgot her “security blanket.”  The mother was not quite sure what to do.  The camper didn’t want her mom to go home.  The mother had some fruit and vegetables in the car.  She gave her a large squash and told her to pretend this was her doll and hold it as her “blanket” for this week.  Who knew?.....

Choosing to Make Life Work – 30L - GOD DOES NOT MAKE JUNK

            We read in the Scriptures that we are made in God’s image.  That’s an amazing thought!  We need to appreciate ourselves.  God loved us so much, He gave his only Son to show us how to live and Jesus gave up his life so that we can live forever.  He would not have done that if we were not worth it. 

 Maybe a way to begin to learn how to appreciate ourselves is to make a “I Appreciate …(this).. about myself”  list.   Write down all the things you appreciate about yourself and thank God for them.   You can add to the list each day as you spend time in quiet and with God.   As you look at them each day you can say,  “You know Lord, you did a pretty good job.  Thank You!”  This is different than pride and conceit.  This is not thinking you are better than the next person.   This is affirming God’s action in and through us.   We acknowledge these gifts as we make ourselves available to be of service to God.  I call this “humbly proud”.  

            We are made of body, mind, spirit and heart.   There is a struggle when the mind is not functioning at its potential.  When we don’t check our negative attitudes about life and ourselves it affects our bodies and spirit.  We are cautioned that many of our illnesses are a result of how we feed our body, mind, spirit and heart.  When we do not acknowledge and appreciate our gifts and self it causes turmoil inside of us.  We leave ourselves open to being hurt or wounded easily.  We become bitter and resentful.  It hurts our heart.  It affects our spirit.  It affects our attitude that we are not worthy.  It affects our ability to withstand the struggles we will have in life. 

            Recently, I felt like I was not being appreciated for something I had volunteered to do.  It really bothered me.  The first 24 hours after this happened I had a pity party with myself.  Even in the midst of the pity party I knew that it really does not matter that I wasn’t acknowledged.   I kept saying to myself, “Do you like doing what you’re doing?  Yes!  Are you good at it?  Yes.   Is your purpose to serve God?  Yes!”  Then that’s all that matters.        But down deep I was hurting. 

Coincidentally (more likely providentially) I was leading a Bible Study the next morning.  As I was preparing, part of the study included Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself, will be humbled and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”  I felt like I had been hit with a 2 x 4.   My attitude had affected my spirit.   God put the icing on the cake when in the next two days several people went out of their way to thank me for being me.  I laughed at myself.   There are so many ways I am affirmed for who I am.  Yet, in this matter, I let my guard down.  I confessed my need for attention and was reminded to look at the “appreciation list” and be thankful.   I am grateful that God has created a good thing in me and I am a blessed woman in so, so many ways.  I need to keep appreciating my body, mind, spirit and heart and keep them healthy and in balance.  

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp: SHERWOOD FOREST BEGINS

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp:  SHERWOOD FOREST BEGINS 

 In 1966 we began Sherwood Forest.  We designed the family groups into hamlets and the sleeping units in the shape of huts.  The boys and girls would eat in their own hamlets and cooked some of their own meals.  We developed a town meeting, played games on the village green (which turned into the village brown by the end of the summer) and ended each week with a renaissance-like faire with a bar-b-que, and display of all the crafts the campers had made during the week.

The first week at Sherwood Forest was very exciting.  We had the banners up and the trumpets in place.  We all took on Sherwood Forest names.  The campers would make up new names for themselves.  The Pastor is the Friar, the lead counselors are the Squires, the counselors are the Sirs and Ladies.  My Sherwood Forest name was Lady of the Forest (It later became my “camp name”). 

            We had hired a young man from Sacramento to be a Lead Counselor of one of the Hamlets for the boys, named Redingham.  The other boys Hamlet was Greenwell and the Girls Hamlets were Blueshire and Goldwood.  The lead counselor had a casual style about himself.  He very seldom got ruffled about anything. 

The first night of the summer camps I walked around to each of the Hamlets to see how things were shaping up.  When I went to Redingham, the food truck had just arrived.  The “Squire” was in the center of his hamlet and the campers were all over the place.   I asked him when he planned to gather the campers.  He looked like he was not sure how to get that accomplished and was a little nervous with me there.  I said  to him, “I’m going to visit the other hamlets and I’ll be back.  Why don’t you get your campers to sit down at the tables?”  He looked relieved.   I left him and came back in about fifteen minutes.   Everything was going well.  

            It was a reminder to me the responsibility we were putting on these young college age people.  We did not take things for granted after that.  Our Orientation weeks would cover such possibilities and ways to get the support of the campers and counselors. 

During the summers a very special place I would go to have quiet as often as I could was at the Sherwood Forest Vesper area.   There was a stream running between the trees.  The shades of green on the trees and bushes were so beautiful.  I would sit for five or twenty minutes and I would pray and meditate.   It was a place where the Holy Spirit would fill my half empty cup of energy and quiet any concerns I would have for that day.   Sometimes I would cry and pray and dream of new possibilities of providing a program that would be an encouragement for campers to come to know Christ and want to serve him in anyway they could.