So this post took a lot longer than I wanted it to - number one reason being that I broke out with chicken pox the same day as I wrote that last post. I was vaccinated when I was about 6 years old, but apparently you are supposed to be re-vaccinated every five years and we had not done so...thus a sudden epidemic of itchy spots all over my arms. I have a LOT on my arms, but I only have a few on my face, chest, and legs - and none on my neck or back, although I might have a few on my scalp. It's hard to tell, though, because I have such thick hair.
So that has slowed down production quite a bit. But here I am. Be thankful I'm getting it done this fast. The only major effect of chicken pox (besides the itchy blotches) is a sudden case of extreme grouchiness. Even I've noticed how grouchy I've been lately. I think that when we discovered I was sick my family was relieved to find out it wasn't a permanent condition. Anyway, when I'm grouchy I don't feel like doing much, especially writing my blog posts. But I do want to keep up this blog.
Well, like I said in my last post, we had a smaller team this year. But that gave us the opportunity to get to know each better than we would have with, say, another 20 people. One of my very, very best friends came and I really loved being able to spend more time with her than I have in years.
On Friday we were blessed to see a performance by Rick Alonzo. See his website here. Check it out. He did three paintings for us and they were just wonderful. The first one was of Christ's face and he did it upside-down, so that none of us knew what it was until right as the loud music ended and he flipped it over. The shock of seeing what looked like random splotches of paint suddenly transform into the face of my Savior really did something.It was really good. He gave his testimony of the grace and love of Christ and two people were saved that night. It was an amazing experience.
The whole trip was a sweet time of building relationships - I think that's what the "theme" of this week really was. One of the dads preached a great series of short sermons on relationships - not guy/girl, just in general. There was a little strife going on between people that seemed to be resolved. People made new friends. Relationships with Jesus were renewed.
I also had the privilege of being "dorm mom" for the girls' dorm. Basically I just took a head count of the girls at lights out to make sure they were all there, then reported to the team leader to let him know they were all in. I also made sure the dorm got cleaned out the way it was supposed to be at the end of the week. Thankfully all the girls were very cooperative. :)
I really hope to go next year. This time I want to take my little sister too. She's 14, will be 15 by the next time. I think it would really be a maturing experience for her to pay her expenses and (sort of) be on her own for a week. I mean, I would still be there to keep an eye on her, but it's amazing how much you mature just not having your parents around, having to be in charge of yourself. I know I matured a lot the first time I went - and really I have every year, just in different ways. Having to keep a budget, be responsible, work hard without being nagged to do so, obey the rules, etc. I'm not saying she's immature (she's not), it's just that she's, well, 14. ;)
It would be fun.
I think that's all I have to say.
Have a wonderful day! :) (I know I'm planning to)
Friday, September 14, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Gleanings 2012 Part One
On Sunday I returned from my trip to Gleanings For the Hungry. I've posted about this before (right here). This year the trip was from August 25th to September 2nd. Typically we have about 80-90 people (counting adults) on the trip. These people are from the various congregations of my church, Household of Faith. The congregations are centered around Portland, with a couple up by Seattle and one down in Medford, OR area.
This year, unfortunately, we only had about 65 people come. This made things a little difficult, since we had to run the plant with less people than we are used to. However, we persevered! And things went great. Some of us kids got up an hour early (5:30 a.m.) to get the field work done before breakfast so that a: we wouldn't have to do it in the heat; and b: we could get to work in the actual peach plant earlier.
Although, I actually cleaned bathrooms during the mornings. Thankfully this year we had guys on the cleaning crew so that we girls didn't have to clean theirs.
During this week they played this song in worship a lot.
I think almost every single person had it stuck in their head the whole week. It's a good song to meditate on. As kids who have grown up in Christian homes, it's easy for us to forget just how beautiful Christianity is. (Post on this coming up soon). This song is a good reminder. God isn't just good, holy, majestic, strong, pure, and all those things we always hear. He really is beautiful. And I think that's something it's important to remember.
Well, there are some general details about the trip. During the next couple of days I'll work on Part Two giving more specific details. I would include pictures, but I didn't take a camera....however, http://gleanings.org/ should have some, if you want to see.
This year, unfortunately, we only had about 65 people come. This made things a little difficult, since we had to run the plant with less people than we are used to. However, we persevered! And things went great. Some of us kids got up an hour early (5:30 a.m.) to get the field work done before breakfast so that a: we wouldn't have to do it in the heat; and b: we could get to work in the actual peach plant earlier.
Although, I actually cleaned bathrooms during the mornings. Thankfully this year we had guys on the cleaning crew so that we girls didn't have to clean theirs.
During this week they played this song in worship a lot.
I think almost every single person had it stuck in their head the whole week. It's a good song to meditate on. As kids who have grown up in Christian homes, it's easy for us to forget just how beautiful Christianity is. (Post on this coming up soon). This song is a good reminder. God isn't just good, holy, majestic, strong, pure, and all those things we always hear. He really is beautiful. And I think that's something it's important to remember.
Well, there are some general details about the trip. During the next couple of days I'll work on Part Two giving more specific details. I would include pictures, but I didn't take a camera....however, http://gleanings.org/ should have some, if you want to see.
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