Choosing to make Life Work -- 18L – ENJOY MATURING

            After my last week’s experience the thought occurred to me that we talk about the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to being content in whatever circumstance we are in as part of maturing as a person.   The process of maturing does not mean we are always successful it means the actions of our values become natural part of who we are in the way we live with one another.    We experience a quiet center as we seek contentment.  We experience inspiration in the things we do.   We can recognize our successes and through that admit our humility.   I heard once that humility is not denying power you have but knowing that power is through you, not from you.   Remember the new phrase I created – humbly proud. 

            In the midst of trouble when we feel like screaming, we remember that the Spirit of God is with us and we can take a deep breath and say “thank you Jesus for being with me.”   We begin to feel grateful that we are not alone and begin to take the next steps one at a time --  towards maturity.    The task is the reward.   Be satisfied—content--with God’s creation—you! 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp – 18c -- MORE STAFF STORIES

Staff Communion: It became a tradition at the end of Staff Orientation Week to have Communion.   We had permission of Presbytery each year to serve communion at high school and older conferences.   In one of our earlier years when we were hiring only 25 to 30 college students in the summer, we met in a room about 14’ x 15’.   This was before the lodge was built at Calvin Crest.   Some of the staff asked if they could go blackberry picking and make the juice from the vines on the grounds to use at Communion.  We all agreed. 

            That evening we gathered in this small room with most of the staff sitting on the floor.   The room got very hot and close.  The bread was passed from person to person while reciting, “May the peace of Christ be with you.”  By the time we got to the sharing the communion cup the berry juice had thickened.   You could tell on the faces of people who were drinking the juice that it was hard to swallow.   We heard around us,  “this is the blood of Christ shed for you, drink it if you can!”   Of course, as it went around the snickers and laughter became apparent.   You had to be there. 

Work Hours: It was always a challenge to motivate the program staff persons in particular to pace their work time.   Trying to avoid the “burning the candle at both ends syndrome.”   Their hours were long.   They began at 7 a.m. with a counselor meeting and with their campers through lunch time.   They had a couple of hours off in the afternoon and then they would be on duty sometimes until 11 p.m.    

I would often encourage the Coordinators to be aware of this and to do what they could to get their teams to bed at a reasonable hour.   I would sit in on their team meetings now and then and hear about being tired, no sleep, etc.   I thought I would support the team and came down on the coordinators to have shorter meetings so the staff could get to bed.   It was amazing.   The team, then, would rally around their coordinator and told me not to worry they could handle it.  It was a good lesson for me to let the teams work out their own problems.

Choosing to Make Life Work - 17L -- WHAT’S IN THE FUTURE

            This was the “week that was.”   1^st I bought two garden hoses for the price of one from a TV ad and they mixed up the order and sent me 4 hoses.  It took too much time trying to get a refund without more charges!

            2^nd my iPhone 4S went kaput.  After 3 calls and 3 hours with the trouble shooter, they agreed to an upgrade!  Spent several hours making this happen.

            3^rd my TV just stopped working.  What kind to buy, where shall I buy it, etc.  Thank goodness my grandson, Tyler, arranged for the purchase of a new one and the particulars of a setting it up.   Waiting and arranging for the installation, etc.  took time and energy!

            4^th At the Apple Store buying the 5c iPhone upgrade, and planning to get home in time for the Geek Squad to install my TV, I go out to the car and my car battery is dead. 

            5^th Someone very close to me went into the emergency and hospital two days ago with heart issues.

            Why am I telling you all this?   These are day to day situations, some worse than others, that we live through.  We never know what the future holds for us.  We make plans and risk our time, talent and treasure with the confidence everything will go as planned. 

During these last few days I knew I was on the edge of uncertainties.  I kept praying, “Lord, I know you are present with me.  Give me the wisdom and patience to let go of my frustrations and insecurities and trust you.”  I kept praying this prayer over and over again, and through it all I kept taking deep breaths, even shedding a few tears,  along with my aging transition awareness that I don’t have the energy that I use to have. 

The reality is I have to jump through all the hoops.  I’m not in control of any of these events.   I was holding on too tightly trying to fix it all NOW or better yet not have to go through it at all.

Then the thought occurred to me, “choosing to make life work” means I have the choice to “let go” and trust that the Spirit of God will enable me to take one step at a time and get through this.

What does the future hold for you and me?  

The gift of faith in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ.   The confidence of God’s presence with us in all circumstances.   Growing and accepting the spirit of gratitude for life and all its opportunities. 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp - 17c - STAFF STORIES

            One struggle I had was walking across a log over a stream or crevasse.   It was a phobia of mine.   I even had trouble walking across a bench just a foot off the ground.   One year the staff decided to make it their job to help me get over the phobia.   A staff person stood at one end of the log.   Another one would hold my hands helping me to look straight ahead and walk.   They made me do it several times.   I’d do o.k. for that moment, but at a later time, I sometimes had to get on all fours or hold someone’s hands to get across.  Natural “Lady of the Forest” right,  (my camp name)? 

Another memory I have is the staff sometimes complained that those who worked in other departments had the “better” job.  I’ll never forget a story Bill Gwyen, who was the Executive Director at Mt. Hermon Conference Center,  told the story about the housekeeping crew’s responsibilities were to clean everything in the cabins and on the porches.  The maintenance or landscaping crew was responsible to clean everything on the ground outside.  The housekeeping crew would sweep everything in the cabin and porch onto the grounds.   Maintenance was left with cleaning up the mess.   Amazing how creative we are!  

            We laughed at this story.   Yet, it was a challenge to prepare those on staff to do the best they could with the jobs they were assigned.  We designed the staff work schedule to have staff rotate into different departments two or three weeks in the summer.   This was very helpful for each person respecting the responsibilities of the different departments.

Often when staff saw the lead counselors and program staff at the pool or playing games on the meadow, they would sarcastically jibe, “and you call that work?”  When they rotated in as counselors, they realized the 24/7 responsibilities of being with the campers, preparing lessons and the challenges and long hours it entailed was no piece of cake.   It was also a good way for the program staff to appreciate those in the other departments.   They became more patient waiting for the requests they made to maintenance for supplies or help with setting up food service for different events or cleaning up after themselves in program areas—like spilled hot chocolate or popcorn all over the floor or setting up campfires, etc.   This turned out to be a helpful system to appreciate one another.

Choosing to Make Life Work – 16 L – CHURCH AND COMMUNITY VALUES

            We extend our family to include the community of faith, the Church.  There are similar goals of the Church with the Family.   We share the values that adds meaning to our lives.   As we are living witnesses of God’s love in Jesus Christ, others are drawn to that fellowship.   Sometimes we hear people say that you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.  The church offers opportunities for us to be accepted and flourish as individuals in a community.  

            We learn to take responsibility for our actions.  We learn to respect and care for each other even in our differences.  We learn how to give and take affection and support.  What happens to one of us impacts all of us.  An effective Church is one that invites people to be part of the family of Christ.  We are called to nurture and build Christian values within the Church’s membership.                  

           Many families today are fragmented.  They live far away from each other.   The church is an opportunity for all to be a part of something together.   As we participate with others in small “family” groups in the church-- i.e. women’s, men’s, young adult’s, youth of all ages, and children’s, we open ourselves up to the opportunities to grow as a person and be an effective witness in the community.

   Being part of the church family and participating in these small groups makes a statement that we understand that “I need you and you need me.”   Together as we worship God we give praise and thanksgiving for what Christ did for us on the Cross.  We share together the joy of the new life we have in his resurrection.  We are empowered to serve others in need and be effective disciples of Christ.