Repost: I Believe in Youth Camp

It's summer time and that means a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me it will always mean Youth Camp time!  I'm combining parts of two posts that I wrote in 2008.  "I Believe in Youth Camp" and "Our Anniversary, kinda, in a way..."

In June of 1974, a little blond haired, blue eyed girl attended Youth Camp at Bethel in the Hills in California. On the first night, June 18th, after hearing camp evangelist Bro. Randy Keyes preach, she received the gift of the Holy Ghost for the first time. I am so thankful for that initial outpouring and so glad that God keeps filling me with His Spirit time and time again.

This was my second year to attend Youth Camp and I became a regular. I never missed a camp (Junior or Senior) and some years went to Junior Camp as a counselor and Senior Camp as a camper. I am always to touched when I see children praying - I know that God is a keeping God, and seeing them get touched at a young age is beautiful to me.

Meanwhile, at a Youth Camp in Tennessee, a brown haired, blue eyed boy received the Holy Ghost on a Thursday night in June 1974...

August 18, 1989 was the final night of Camp Meeting in Santa Maria. I had gone for the week and was planning on staying for Senior Camp which started the next day. This was my final year of eligibility as a camper, having turned 25 the previous April.

After service, my friend Yvonne and I were talking to Ruby Wilson when we spotted "him". His name was Les McElhaney and I had been introduced (briefly) to him at Youth Convention the previous March. At Youth Convention I was already going out with someone else, so I wasn't extremely friendly to Les - much to Yvonne and Ruby's dismay! This time, I was "free" and decided to thank God for second chances! When Les didn't even remember meeting me, I was happy to start over! This night was the beginning of something very special that eventually led to our marriage on May 25, 1991.

We spent all week of Senior Camp getting acquainted and finding out our common likes and dislikes. Because I had been a Senior Camp fixture for so many years, and Les was actually on the staff, the rest of the staff was very kind to let us stay out later than usual getting to know each other. I remember Bro. Harvey Cantrell coming by, shining his giant flashlight on us, smiling and letting us continue sitting there!! And the Hoppers helped me out when a certain pest from Fresno wanted to sit in on all our conversations!

So now you know what happened to those two 10 year olds from those long ago camps in California and Tennessee. I could go on and on about this wonderful man I married, but for now I'll just say "I Believe in Youth Camp!" 

About 30 young people and children from Victory Tabernacle are currently in Ventura for Pacific Coast Camp.  Les and I are on our way to Hawaii tomorrow so we won't get to be there, but I'm praying that God will do great things in the hearts and lives of all in attendance!

Everything Dad

Happy Father's Day to any dads reading!

Everything Dad

A little girl needs her daddy
To love her with manly charm,
To soothe her when she's hurt,
And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad
To show her a man who's good,
To help her make right choices,
As only a father could.

A woman needs her father
Just to be aware,
He'll always be there for her
To sustain her and to care.

You've been all these things, Dad.
I hope that you can see
How much I treasure you;
You mean everything to me.
- Joanna Fuchs

This poem sums up how I feel about my Dad.  I sure do miss him!

Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in America. Sandwiched between Memorial Day and Independence Day, it commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  The resolution called for the flag to "be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

I don't know about you, but it still bothers me when our flag is burned, trampled or destroyed in any manner.  I still place my hand over my heart when I say the Pledge of Allegiance.  Songs like America the Beautiful, God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner still have meaning to me.  No, she's not perfect, but America is still my home sweet home.

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
~ Francis Scott Key

Flip Your Change, Dad

I don't remember exactly how or when it started, but Dad had a little game that he played with Rod and me.  We were young teenagers without jobs or cars.  Dad came home one Friday night with a bunch of change in his pocket.  I asked if I could have it.  Of course Rod wanted it, too.

"Flip your change, Dad."

This became a Friday evening tradition.  Dad in his chair.  Rod and me on the floor at his feet. Heads or tails.  Mine or yours.  Much groaning and gloating ensued depending on which way the coin landed.  But there was also laughter, so much laughter as the three of us watched each penny, nickle, dime and quarter land on the floor.

"Flip your change, Dad."

Dad could have easily said, "Just split the money evenly."  He could have been done with us in seconds and gone back to relaxing in his chair with the paper.  Mom was somewhere nearby, smiling as the three of us spent time doing something so small together.

"Flip your change, Dad."

I'm the only one remaining in our family who was part of that tradition.  I don't know who got the most money each week.  And it really didn't matter.  That was just a small part of what was happening.  We were making memories that lasted.  The bond we shared over a couple dollars in change is one that I think about often. 

"Flip your change, Dad."

I wonder as his work week was winding down, did he start collecting a little extra change so he'd have more to flip?  He never ended the week without change.  It was a fun time for Rod and me, but I think it was just as much fun for Dad.  We were at the age where many kids start pulling away from their parents, but our relationship grew stronger in those moments over a few coins being flipped in the air.

"Flip your change, Dad."

Never think that if you can't offer a grand gesture, you shouldn't do anything at all.  Small things are building blocks in any relationship.

"Flip your change, Dad."

The Gift of Time

It's Father's Day week and of course the Father's Day gift ideas are flowing into my email box.  My Dad was a hard worker but he always found the time for his family.  I wrote about it on his 71st birthday in the early days of this blog...

I can think of so many "Dadisms" - his little sayings and the way he said them - but the thing that comes to mind is his great love for his family. An example is when Rod broke his femur when he was about 11. Because of Rod's hemophilia, the doctors could not operate to put a pin in the bone (they may have not even done that back then), so he spent about 6 weeks in the hospital with his leg in traction until the bone could begin mending (then another 6-8 weeks in a body cast). Dad would come home from work every night, hurriedly shower and eat dinner, then we'd be off to the hospital. EVERY.NIGHT. No matter how hard he worked that day, how tired he was, he wasn't going to let his little boy spend the evening in the hospital by himself.

Dad has rescued each of his kids and granddaughters when we've had car trouble, ran out of gas, or locked our keys in the car. He was a truck driver for many years, so if you need directions to anywhere in California, ask Dad! You will not get lost IF you follow his directions. The day of Kim's wedding, we were all there except the twins. They called Kim, not sure where they were. The phone went to Dad. After a few moments of listening (another thing he does well - he listens), he told them exactly how to get to us.

For my entire childhood, we always had donuts on Saturday morning. It was one of our traditions. Dad would go to Eddy's Pastries in Fresno. Being kids (and picky!) all four of us had our favorites and Dad would make sure we each got our desired donut(s). As kids we were always up before he went to get them, but as teenagers he'd come wake us up to get our order. Our teenage response to "Do you want a donut this morning?" was usually, "No, I want more sleep!" But when we would finally drag ourselves out of bed, our usual orders would be there!

My Dad would have done anything he could for us, but he somehow understood that the gift of time was the greatest gift he could give.

Friday Foodie

It's been a while since I posted a new recipe.  It's also been a while since I tried a new recipe!  Oh, I take that back - I tried a new recipe for our international picnic last month and I never posted it.  I made Kalua Pork that tasted like it had been cooked in a pit all day.  I'll get that up next Friday!

Stephanie at Plain Chicken posts a weekly meal plan each Sunday.  This week's dinner for Wednesday was Toasted Pecan Chicken.  I'm always looking for a new variety on chicken dishes and this one was a winner!  I apologize for not taking a picture, we were too hungry to wait.  Mine looks just like the original posted on Plain Chicken.

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1/4 tsp pepper
  
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp orange marmalade
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans

Pound chicken thin between wax paper. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large skillet, melt butter. Cook chicken over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet.

Reduce heat to medium, add whipping cream, marmalade, and mustard, stir well. Add chicken, sprinkle with pecans, and cook 8 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Serve over rice, if desired.

I didn't know if this dish would have a mustardy taste or more of an orange marmalade taste.  It was neither!  I'm not sure how to describe it, but the combination of the two was so good.  I did not have Dijon mustard so I just used plain yellow mustard and it was fine.  We had this with rice and green beans.

Children Learn What They Live

I recently finished a collection of three books by Charles Martin - "When Crickets Cry," "Chasing Fireflies," and "Wrapped in Rain."  I wrote about one of his other books, Long Way Gone, here.  He is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.  His descriptions of people and places are colorful.  His stories have humor, but there is always an underlying deeper theme in each of them.

"Chasing Fireflies" and "Wrapped in Rain" both contain characters who were abused as children.  Parts of these stories were difficult to read.  The author doesn't sugar coat and while his books contain hope, they are also very thought provoking.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about my own upbringing.  I am so blessed.  Correction I received as a child was appropriate.  We were never abused in our home - physically, verbally, or emotionally.  So much of who I am is because of how I was raised.

I know there are people who come from wonderful homes that leave it all behind for a life of recklessness.  There are also those who overcome against great ideas.  But more often than not, children learn what they live.  Pastor White mentioned this poem not long ago in a message.  I quickly remembered it hanging at Grandma Luella's house when I was a child.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. 

What lessons are the children in your life learning today?

Repost: More Lessons from the Peloton

Part 2:  This is a post I wrote in 2009.  It came to mind this week as the Giro d'Italia (another three week cycling race) wrapped up.  There has been some controversy in pro cycling since I wrote this post (the disgrace of Lance Armstrong and others for doping) but there are still lessons that can be learned. 
 
The fun in France continues, so here are a few more thoughts...


An Isolated Rider Cannot Compete

Last week I wrote about the strength of the peloton, how riding in the pack brings amazing strength and speed. Just the opposite is also true. Isolation usually occurs in the mountain stages. The teams for general classification (the yellow jersey) really have to work to get their guy to the top. Yes, the leader is pedaling, but he needs the strength of his teammates. Other teams will "attack" hoping to drop their competition. Isolation occurs when the teammates of a GC contender can't keep up with the peloton and their leader is left on his own. The rider will do his best to hang on to the pack, but the opposing teams will be doing their best to drop him.


I admit, I've been on both sides of cliques. I think teenage girls can be some of the cruelest people on the planet - attacking with words and looks and turned backs. Unfortunately, some people never grow out of that habit and go through life cutting others with their words and actions. I've seen people (young and old) trying to fit in and hang on, but often the pressure is more than they can handle going it alone.

A True Teammate Waits

During one stage Andy Schleck had a flat tire with 4 km left in the stage. There is a rule in the Tour de France that if a rider crashes or has a mechanical problem in the final 3 km of a stage, they will receive the same time as the riders they are currently riding with. But Andy was 4 km out and had to get his bike fixed and back to the peloton, who of course was not waiting. When Andy's teammate, Jens Voigt, found out what happened, he slowed his pace and returned to where Andy was. By the time Jens met up with Andy, Andy's bike was fixed and Jens "towed" Andy back to the peloton.


There are times when life trips up our brother or sister. It seems they're doing everything they can to win when Bam! out of nowhere a trial comes their way. This is not the time to ride away, this is the time for us to go back and add our strength to theirs.

New Champions Arise

Many were curious to see what Lance Armstrong would do during this Tour after being retired for 3 years. He is currently in fourth place overall, with his teammate Alberto Contador in first. There have been several stages that Alberto showed his superior strength and left everyone in the dust. On Sunday, Alberto took the yellow jersey and it appears he will win his second Tour. Lance had this to say, “Now you know who’s the best rider in the world and the best rider in the race. In the past I was the best, now he’s the best. As far as I’m concerned, I’m happy to be his domestique. I’m proud of him.”


There is always room in the kingdom of God for more workers. How do you respond when someone else gets that choir solo you wanted? Can you still sing in the soprano section and worship your heart out or are you silently pouting with your arms crossed. Can you step out of the spotlight with grace to make room for someone else?

The Penultimate Stage

This Saturday is the next to last stage of the race. The route of the Tour changes each year, and this year the penultimate stage takes place on the famed Mont Ventoux. This is one of the most grueling climbs in Tour history. It is also a place of tragedy - Tour rider, Tom Simpson, died on this climb in 1967. Usually the final stage is more celebration than racing, so the penultimate stage is the last chance for riders to make Tour history.


We don't know when it will happen, but each of us will have a penultimate stage in our lives. That final climb. I was recalling Rod's final months. It was April, 1994, when Les and I visited Fresno. Rod was getting sicker and weaker. Les and I came home from that visit with an increased burden for Rod. We prayed daily, went on an extended fast, believing God for Rod's healing. Rod got his eternal healing on June 22, 1994 and I learned a lot about the penultimate stage in a person's life. We didn't know it at the time, but the burden God gave us was for Rod's faith, that it would fail not. It was Rod's final climb, one that he had to ride to the end. Our role was that of a teammate, riding beside him, encouraging him and praying for him.

The Grand Celebration

This Sunday, July 26th, the riders who completed the 2009 Tour de France will ride in Paris on the cobbled streets of the Champs Elysées. The Eifel Tower and the Arch de Triumph will be in sight. The leader of the race with his entire team will lead the first lap past the cheering crowd.


Last Sunday we sang an old song from the hymnal - "When the Redeemed Are Gathering In" with a verse that included the words, "there will be a great procession over on the streets of gold." What a grand day that will be! Among that crowd for you I'll be watching, so look for me in front of the throne!

The Winner

We have one big difference with the Tour. There is only one Tour de France winner. Only one man will wear the treasured yellow jersey on that final day. The history books will only list that one name.



But Paul tells us, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)

Ride on!

Repost: Lessons from the Peloton

This is a post I wrote in 2009.  It came to mind this week as the Giro d'Italia (another three week cycling race) wrapped up.  There has been some controversy in pro cycling since I wrote this post (the disgrace of Lance Armstrong and others for doping) but there are still lessons that can be learned.  I'll post part 2 tomorrow.


You may be aware that there is a little bicycle race going on in France this month. Well... it's not really little! It's the oldest and "grandest" of all bike races - The Tour de France. Begun in 1903, the race currently covers more that 2200 miles in the span of three weeks. A Texan named Lance Armstrong made the race pretty interesting to Americans for quite a few years, winning an unmatched 7 times in a row before retiring. Lance came out of retirement and is in this years' race once again.

Since I am married to a cyclist, I've learned quite a bit about bicycle racing. There is a lot more strategy involved than just getting on a bicycle and riding everyday! I thought I'd share some definitions and how they relate to us as individuals and as a church body. I may have more in the next few days, but here are some of my thoughts:

The Peloton
The most simple definition of a peloton is "the main body of riders in a bicycle race." It takes great skill to ride "in the pack." But there is also great benefit to staying with the group.

When a rider falls, he rarely goes down alone. Just the tiniest slip can cause "argie bargie" (confusion, chaos, etc.) in the peloton. At times the rider who caused the crash will not even go down, but when riders are averaging 20-25 mph and reaching speeds over 40 mph, road rash, broken bones, and ruined bicycles can happen in seconds. Crashes have also been caused by fans standing on the side of the road.
 
We all know about the harm that comes when a spouse leaves a marriage, but it can be just the slip of a tongue that brings harm to a family or an entire youth group. It is often when the church is on the move that the devil does his best to cause a crash. Vigilance on every turn is key to staying upright.

The power that the peloton creates as they pedal together is an incredible thing. We were at race one time and you could feel the cyclists as they went by. When the church is united, sinners are drawn to what is going on - they can feel it!


Teamwork Makes the Difference
There are nine members on each team. Each team has a leader. Other riders specialize in sprinting or going fast up the mountains or individual time trials.
 

A rider earns the sprinter's jersey by being the one to win sprinter's points during stages and sprints at the end of stages. This is rarely accomplished as a solo endeavor. In general, with about 20 kilometers to go, the sprinter's team will make its way to the front of the peloton and begin riding faster and faster. First one rider then another will pedal as fast and as hard as he can until he can't go anymore. The team will blow itself up for the sprinter. With precision timing, the sprinter will be at the front of the pack at the perfect time and will cross the line in first place.
  
I've been thinking about how the musicians, praise singers, worship leader, soloists, and the choir all act as the lead out team for the preaching of the word. Ever notice when the organist is in a bad mood, or the keyboardist had a fight with her husband, or the drummer is distracted by the pretty girl on the front row, or the worship leader walked in just 3 minutes before service, or the choir is flat, or all the above, how difficult it is for the preacher?

When the leadout team has given their all - pre-service prayer was hot, the music was annointed, the choir jammed, often those people will walk off the platform rung out - but the preaching of the word can go forth unfettered!


Every rider, every day
The race is long and grueling, and there are no timeouts. If you were Lance Armstrong's teammate in 2005, the year he won his seventh Tour de France, you still had to ride every day. No matter how great the other riders on the team, every rider must ride every day. There are two rest days, but riders still ride on those days to keep their legs strong. If a rider wakes up one morning and decides he'd rather go shopping (okay, probably not - maybe golfing) he has a decision to make - ride or leave the race entirely. The standings at the end of each stage list each rider and their times. At the end of the list will be riders with DNF next to their names. Did Not Finish.
  
It doesn't matter who your dad is, who your pastor is, if your dad IS your pastor - YOU are responsible for continuing on. We can't think we can make it to heaven on someone else's coattails. I don't want a DNF next to my name in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Happy Anniversary, Les!

There's a saying, "Marriage is finding that special someone you want to annoy for the rest of your life."  I say, "Marriage is a great adventure when you're having fun with your one and only!"  Do we look annoyed here?

We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again (Not true!!)
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one -- I want to talk to in bed
Still the one -- that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it 'til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go (wanted to go)
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one -- that makes me laugh
Still the one -- that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- that makes me strong
 Still the one -- I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one (yes you are)

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new

You're still the one -- that I love to touch
Still the one -- and I can't get enough
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- who can scratch my itch
Still the one -- and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You are still the one -- that makes me shout
Still the one -- that I dream about
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You're still the one, yeah still the one
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

Les, there's no one I'd rather travel through life with than you!  I love you!

Look for the Helpers

While reading about the terrorist attack in Manchester, England yesterday, I found a story in USAToday about Fred Rogers.  "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was a children's show that aired from 1963-1976 and from 1978-2001.  What caught my attention was a quote from Mr. Rogers:

This advice is something Fred Rogers was offering at least as far back as 1986, when he wrote in a syndicated newspaper column that:

I was spared from any great disasters when I was little, but there was plenty of news of them in newspapers and on the radio, and there were graphic images of them in newsreels.
For me, as for all children, the world could have come to seem a scary place to live. But I felt secure with my parents, and they let me know that we were safely together whenever I showed concern about accounts of alarming events in the world.
There was something else my mother did that I’ve always remembered: “Always look for the helpers,” she’d tell me. “There’s always someone who is trying to help.” I did, and I came to see that the world is full of doctors and nurses, police and firemen, volunteers, neighbors and friends who are ready to jump in to help when things go wrong.

This is wonderful advice. In this troubled world, look for the helpers.  Whenever possible, join the helpers.  And if you can't find one - BE the helper!

Flash Back Friday

Ephesus

One year ago we embarked upon an amazing journey ~ our 25th Anniversary Trip to Italy, Greece and Turkey!  There is so much I could say about this trip, I'm not sure I have the vocabulary to adequately describe it all.  It took me about six weeks and over 30 posts to blog about it.  If you need some weekend reading, click on this link and you can travel with us!  Or go here to just look at the pictures.

Rome

 

Mars Hill

Mountain biking on Mt. Etna

The Great Theater of Ephesus

Santorini

The Colosseum

Mykonos

The Acropolis

If you could pack your bags and go anywhere in the world today, where would you go?