A Day to Last Forever

Today was a beautiful, yet sad day, all at the very same time.  Why?  Because it was the first time in a year that the entire family woke up under the same roof, yet also the day I had to say goodbye to a week at my parents.  While in some respects I was ready to go home to camp because I knew the amount of chores that needed to get done and it was time to get working on it, I knew it would be the last time we'd all be together for a while.  The boys arrived Friday night with mom as snow flakes fell to the ground.  When we awoke the next morning, a winter wonderland (again) greeted us!  David and Penny arrived mid-morning after waiting out the snow since Penny worked so late the night before.  The house that seemed so big when we were kids seemed so small with 4 adults, 4 kids, and 6 dogs.  We opened presents just before lunch and the boys were super excited with their gifts.  Little Andrew loved the hat and chaps set I got him.

After lunch and naps by nearly everyone in the house, probably including dogs, it was time to finally get the kids outside to play.  Got the boys bundled up and I put on as many clothes as I brought (Even though my jeans were poor defense against the snow) and we headed out.  There were snow angels, snow ball fights (although the snow was too dry for it), and lots of tag and tackling.  I know I was worn out!  An evening dinner of soups and some sitting on the couch doing nothing and it was time for the kids to go to bed.  David, Penny, and I stayed up late (why?) to watch the old movie Terminator (another why?).  For whatever reason, I did not sleep well that night.  I think I was in some part thinking about all that needed to be done but I was sad to go and wondered, as usual, if I could have somehow spent it better.  But really, I'm not sure if I could have.  It didn't go as planned usually, but it was good.

Sunday morning-everyone wakes up under the same roof.  I can't tell you how that feels.  A breakfast of casserole and Penny's cinnamon rolls and I spent about an hour working with mom organized the pictures and folders on their computer and how to get the pictures off the memory card and also how to upload to facebook.  Then it was mostly just sitting in the family room, talking, watching TV, falling asleep at random times.  I gathered up my things slowly and packed the truck and started clearing off all the snow.  It was a long goodbye, and an almost teary one.  As much as my family can drive me crazy and we don't always see eye to eye, they'll always be my family.

Things I'll miss....moments I wish were frozen in time

 
1.  Noah looking out the window and yelling, "Snow!" and being super excited about it every time.  His "uh-oh"s and constant turning on and off of the lights.  I remember on Friday night, keeping him calm as I carried him through the house, saying goodnight to everything and turning everything off.  Goodnight wreath.  Goodnight TV.  Goodnight kitchen.  Goodnight family room.  Goodnight Noah.  :-)

2.  Andrew read me a book.  "Brown bear" was probably memorized but it was still the best thing in the world.  I then read him a book, because it was my turn he said.  I loved watching him run around in his hat and chaps.  He's so cute but so mischievous and I can't help but laugh and love him.

3.  Snuggling with Joshua and talking about everything.  He asked me questions about everything in the world and then we watched Disney channel one morning and snuggled up together.  Joshua is a sweet and caring young man.

4.  Caleb's the oldest.  He definitely knows what he wants and isn't afraid to tell you but we share a lot more history since he still lived in Lafayette before they moved towards Crawfordsville.  Listening to him tell me everything he likes, doesn't like, and wants to do.







5.  Enough said.

I wish time could have been frozen, for just a few more hours.

Christmas at the Hunsbergers

Christmas 2012-it never goes quite like you think it should but nonetheless, it goes.....

After scurrying for days prior to leaving, attempting to make sure all was in order so I could be away for a few days, I finally left for home the 23rd.  I spent Christmas eve morning wrapping presents and the afternoon cooking.  We had our usual steak, potatoes, shrimp, and salad meal and then watched a few Christmas specials on TV.  Once the parents went to bed, I started/finished their present.  I had a personalized frame with our last name and I filled in the letters with pictures of us as a young family on up to the newest additions.  I finished at midnight and it was off to bed.  Christmas morning wasn't too exciting, especially after I'd decided that, in order to beat the incoming "blizzard", we would drive back to camp that afternoon so I could put out round bales and check on the herd.  I didn't really think we'd get that much snow but I knew they were already putting out travel advisories for Wednesday so it was probably smart.  We quickly opened up presents (I got a recliner!  Wasn't expecting that.) and got on our way. I was hoping to spend Christmas day doing nothing but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.  At least that meant that Wednesday through Saturday would be mostly calm.  Wednesday I spent doing little projects while watching an almost all day marathon of NCIS, easily my favorite show.  I got emails sent, a calendar made, and postcards written.  Wednesday night we watched It's a Wonderful Life.  Still a good movie.  Thursday we ran a few errands in Hartford City and I was able to spend some time on a great friend's overdue birthday present.  Almost done!  Went for a lovely run around the "block" and when I got home, I got to talk to three very special kids-Gavin, Reagan, and Braydn called from California.  I miss those guys.  :-(  My mom went to Darlington to watch the boys for Friday and then would bring them back Friday night for Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Dad and I watched The Avengers while mom was gone.  We made a plan to go see the early showing of Les Miserables Friday morning and it was a great idea!  That movie was amazing!  I loved going to the musical a long time ago but the movie, the characters, the music were beyond words.  Very long but very much worth it.  I would go see it again.  We ran a few more errands in Muncie then it was home to keep getting ready for the onslaught of children my mom was bringing home (mom and dad are coming after work).  So these are my last few minutes of peace.  Tomorrow will be our Christmas with the kiddos and then Sunday it's back to camp.  It'll be nice to be back home for a few quiet days before work starts up again.

A Camp Job......

It's not unlike.....

A parent-think about it, you're in charge, 24/7, of 10 kids.  You make sure they eat, shower, drink water, go to the bathroom, and get to bed.  For at least a week at a time, you're the parent.  Just a really really cool one.

A teacher-all I really need to say is clinic time.  You make lesson plans and execute those plans every morning.  Plus all those other unscripted moments where you teach them everything from how to act in social situations, making a fire, spotting deer tracks, and everything else inbetween.

A psychologist-it's late at night and your camper is homesick or a child is suddenly scared to ride a horse or climb the wall.  Just pull a little psychology book out of your back pocket, or the back of your mind, and calm them down.  No big deal.

Pastor/Counselor-Lead chapels.  Lead devotions.  Lead the little God moments every day.

A nurse-dressing those little scrapes and bumps and bruises on a daily basis gives you your nursing 101 degree.

A fireman-yep.....sometimes you got to put those out too.  Some years more than others.  This year, too many.

Any emergency personnel-anytime something comes over the radio, you got to go.  I've left many a plate uneaten.

Police-Yep, gotta keep the peace sometimes.

Team building-Survivor, Amazing Race, Teams course, anytime you have a unit activity

Horse Professional (only applies to certain camp jobs, like mine!)-you're expected to know everything and anything about the horse, what it eats, what comes out, how to ride, how to train, and, well, just everything

Handyman-self explanatory.

Wildlife/Nature Expert-cause kids expect you to know everything about the woods.

Expert at driving many different kinds of vehicles (buses, tractors, 4 wheeled all terrain anything)

And probably many more that I can't think of right now.


So to all you camp folks, counselors, full-time staff, you'll find that whenever you might make a resume, you'll have a lot of job skills to detail.  At least it makes it interesting every day!

Just wait for the good guys....

Just one week ago, the biggest concerns of 20 children were their Christmas lists, who they would play with at recess, homework, snack time, and the upcoming break.  School was always meant to be a safe haven.  While adults may skirmish, disagree, and even inflict pain on one another, children were meant to be kept safe from all of that.  An unspoken rule.  You stop talking about the world's problems or you quiet your voice during an argument when a child enters the room and do everything you can to shield children from the horrible reality of the world you live in.  Even in jail, those who harm children cannot expect any favors from other inmates.  They were supposed to be forbidden territory.  As adults, we expect to outlive our kids.  That's just the way it's supposed to be.  That wasn't the way it went on Friday.  I cannot imagine the terror, the confusion, the horrific scene that was the school on Friday morning.  I wish we could take away the memories of the kids, teachers, and first responders so that they wouldn't see those visions again, in their sleep, whenever they looked at a child.  I know in my heart of hearts that God welcomed 20 new kings and queens that morning.  Kings and Queens  They are in Heaven.  Their families will be hurting this holiday season, finding little to be merry and jolly about, and words will not heal their broken hearts.  Sometimes as Christians we tell those who are hurting to "trust God", that their kids are in a "better place" (which I do believe they are), or that this was "God's will."  How trite do those words seem just hours after their loss?  Are those words true?  Yes.  However there is a time and place for those words and it's okay to grieve.  It's only natural to hurt and question and we need to give them time.  We need to let them grieve and lament over their unexpected loss, over their empty place at the table, over the presents that will never be opened, the birthdays and graduations that will never occur, and the future that's been taken away.  I pray that God will comfort them as only God can.  He alone is the Healer, the Giver, the Prince of Peace.  Through Him alone will they heal.

There were several heroes that day.  From the teachers doing what they'd been trained to do, those who alerted the rest of the school to the danger, and the police and SWAT teams that saw horrific images and, as usual, go towards the shooting instead of away from it, there was good....and.....there were good guys that came.  I'm proud to live in a country filled with dedicated civil servants, soldiers, and citizens willing to give their all for people they don't know.

When I started thinking about it, I realized how much I've seen in my 32 years.  During my life, I've seen a lot more tragedies that I thought.  Thankfully, not much has affected me personally or hit extremely close to home (except 9/11).  The Challenger explosion, first WTC bombing, Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine, Virginia Tech, 9/11, the uni-bomber, first Gulf War (I remember watching the missiles on TV), current wars, current shootings....I call "uncle".....it's enough.  But my peace does not come from the world I live in but only in the Lord and Creator of the universe.

Some question where God was, how He could allow bad things to happen to innocent kids, and why He didn't stop it.  While it hurts and seems callous, there's evil in the world.  And the choice made so long ago (that was also blamed on another) by the first man, is what set in motion the events of the world.  
Whenever tragedies happen, we blame whoever and whatever we can.  Whether we are questioning gun control, standards and laws in place, the response of the police and EMTs, or how someone was raised, there's only one to blame.  The choice of the person involved.  Several times we refuse to take personal responsibility for our actions and we blame everything else but the choice.  It started thousands of years ago with a choice.  Unfortunately, choices we make hurt those around us.  I pray we can find solutions to help those struggling with mental illness to keep them safe and keep those around them safe. I pray that we can keep our children safe.  I pray that we don't forget the victims and remember them and their healing in the coming months and years. 

Merry Christmas to the Full Time Staff!

Tonight was the culmination of about 2 weeks and 20+ hours of work.  For the past 6 years, I've done an "end of year" video for the full time staff of Camp T.  There's so many things that happen throughout the year that we tend to forget.  Not only the big events but the little things that happen every day that are funny need to be remembered.  I always have the best intention of carrying a camera with me at all times or a pad of paper to help me remember the crazy little things.  My camera phone has been a life saver in these videos.  This year's was special.  It was emotional to make and emotional to watch.  I am a perfectionist in many ways and while watching it with a roomful of folks, I am thinking, "What are they thinking?" and "I hope they see this the way I intended."  We said a lot of goodbyes, saw a lot of "lasts", and were reminded that although there was a lot of crazy stuff, the torch did get passed on and life went on and we had fun doing our jobs.  Thank you to the entire Camp Tecumseh staff (and their spouses who also sacrifice for this ministry) for a job well done this year.  I rarely think of this as my job.  It's a lot of work but I often think of this as my ministry.  I can't imagine doing anything else right now with my life.

Staff Video 2012  This is the you tube link for the video.  The video is not public on youtube so you have to have the link to watch it.

Heaven is for Real.....Really!

I just finished a tremendous book, Heaven is for Real.  This book gave me "tinglings" and goosebumps, made me almost cry, and left me desiring to know more about what this little boy experienced that I couldn't put it down.  Now, since I want you to go read it (and please go read it!!) and experience it for yourself, I'm not going to give away too much.  However, I do need to leave you with this.  I would have to say that my "pre-camp" self, one who was very logical, black and white, and skeptical of anything that didn't seem to fit into the mold of how I was taught (while I learned a lot, I tended to put it all in a box and if it didn't fit, I threw it out) would have dismissed this account of heaven.  Obviously, you can't go to heaven unless you're dead.  Heaven isn't supposed to look like that.  Angels don't really have wings do they?  I knew that there were a few people in the Bible who did not have to experience death to go to Heaven but that was then, a long time ago, not in this day and age.  One thing that I am extremely grateful for is that my camp experience has broadened my view of so many ideas and has taken me and my God out of this box that I constrained everything into and made me ask, "Why not?" instead of "No way."  God is big.  He's huge.  And He can work however He wants to.  He doesn't need us to tell Him how to work, that there's no way He can work in the way He works.   That's one of the biggest ways I've changed since camp.  I've seen child-like faith every day.  Is our walk include about learning more about God and diving into the scriptures?  Yes, of course He wants us to learn more about Him.  But we get so caught up in our petty arguments about theories that don't change the underlying theme of God.  God is God.  God is perfect.  He loves us more than we can even fathom.  And He wants us to come to Him by knowing His Son, His perfect sacrifice.

 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."   

Deer Season and Thanksgiving Week

Yep, we are one week into shotgun season and there's one week to go.  Ben was able to get a big buck last Sunday.  Of course, whenever he gets a deer, it turns our entire evening, and subsequent evenings, on their head.  That night was no different.  After he'd shot it, I went out to help him clean it up and get it into the truck and then weighed at the general store.  His hanging weight was 150 lbs and he looks to be an 11 point buck.  However, we are convinced that the scale was off by 30 lbs so we're calling it an 180 lb. buck.  :-)  After getting him back to the garage and getting him hung up, it was time to clean him off and skin him.  We'd made plans to meet up with members of our Dream Team from this past summer (Rachel, Sarah, and Steven) and then joined us in the garage as Ben and I cut and they watched and chatted.  Eventually they had to leave (sad to say goodbye!) and we were ready to head in and get some dinner (at 10 pm).  On my way to pick up Sarah's gift, I saw the buck's friend wandering in the road, seemingly dazed and confused as he walked the yellow line in the middle of the road.  He eventually jumped to the field across from the TLC.  After some dinner, it was time for bed.

Monday went fairly smoothly.  I did go out with Ben to sit in the blind for a few hours but we didn't see anything.  I had bought a buck tag in the hopes of seeing that same confused buck and get us some more meat.  I was pretty tired by the time the evening rolled around but there was no time for bed.  It was time to cut the deer up into chunks so that we could grind him up into burger.  I don't remember exactly when we started, but we ended around 1:30 am.  We watched 2 1/2 movies through Netflix as we tried to keep our sanity cutting up this huge buck.  Comedies were on the docket as we watched Meet the Fockers, Tommy Boy, and Big Daddy.  Ben M. came over and helped us out some (and the next day remarked at the staff retreat that he couldn't get the image of seeing us in bloody gore out of his head).  After finishing up the deer (1 1/2 buckets full of chunks) and cleaning up the kitchen, it was off to bed.  The next day was our staff retreat and it was going to be hard to stay awake.  However, the never ending fountain soda would be key to staying awake.  The retreat was really good.  Some fun games from Tom and Joel and an archery contest with Kyle kept us energized and it's fun to hear the good natured ribbing that takes place as we go through material.  The state of camp is good, still good, even in this economy.  After the retreat, it was time to chunk up the deer.  A quick trip to Monticello for Thanksgiving groceries and freezer paper/bags, it was time to put together the grinder and get going.  We had a few issues with the grinder which slowed us down and we got down to the last small bowl of deer before it completely quit on us.  By 2 am, it was time to go home and shower up.

The next morning was extremely foggy.  So foggy they cancelled school and the fog didn't lift until noon.  We had a summer camp meeting at 9 am and went in with big drinks because we were dead tired.  Heard some very important and promising news that I don't think is public knowledge yet so I can't say anything but after the meeting, I found myself fired up again for summer camp.  After the meeting, Amie and crew headed out to North Carolina and I found myself in a quiet camp with my thoughts to myself.  A great feeling.  Revitalizing.  And that, my friends, was my week.

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 was full of good food, a nap while watching football, and an awesome evening spent playing football with 3 of my nephews-Caleb, Joshua, and Andrew.  After a morning spent feeding and cooking (I thought my stove had gone out but it ended up lighting up), I headed down I-65 towards Darlington.  I-65 wasn't too incredibly busy but mostly full of Illinois drivers.  After arriving and being greeted by an awesome crew of boys, I spent some time chatting with the adults and watching The Lorax with the kids.  Then it was time to eat!

After lunch, it was time to finish watching the movie then turn on football.  Of course, a nap followed soon after.  It'd been a long week before that day with 3 nights ending close to 2 am processing the deer that Ben had shot on Sunday.  I was beat, very tired.  The boys kept asking me to go outside and play with them but that chair was just too comfortable and my stomach was still full of food so I kept putting them off.  After dessert though, it was time to go play some football with them.  However, it was unlike any football I've ever played.  I was the quarterback and I threw to Caleb who would then turn back to me and I had to touch him before he got to the endzone.  Once Joshua and Andrew joined in, it got even crazier.  Joshua was on Caleb's team, being his blocker and Andrew was on my team, helping me "tackle" the others.  After every play, Andrew would want to tell me our strategy and I wish someone would have come out and taken a picture of the scene.  Little Andrew pulling me down to his level so he could lay out his idea for winning.  Most of them went something like this, "First we're going to chase them down to the sandbox.  We're going to throw sand in their hair.  Then we'll take them to the pool and throw them in.  Then we'll take them to the garden and tie them up.  Then we'll get the ball back."  Great strategy Andrew..... :-)  He's hilarious though.  He can say the most inappropriate thing with the cutest smile and you'll end up laughing, even though you should be scolding him.  He's a cutie who I think looks exactly like my brother.

After some football, it was time to say good bye to Mom and Dad and I stuck around for another few hours to hang out with the boys and read them some books.  They went off to bed and I watched some TV with David and Penny.  I left for home and called mom on the way so we could chat while I drove since Forrest's car had no radio.  Overall, it was a good day.  Thankful for so much....but that'll wait for another blog post.

In this uncertain time, take time to think of everything you have.  Remember that we have more than a majority of the world.

Monday Pony Time

After a slow rocky start to the day (Mondays seem to be like that, after working the weekend, I think I'm too spent to do anything), it ended up being a good day that went well into the night with Amie and I still at the barn, playing with and sprucing up our ponies.  After staff meeting, we spent several minutes talking about the issue of a hog farm trying to get a permit to build a 1000+ animal facility less than a mile from us.  Obviously we are very concerned because of the smell and health concerns.  I'm all for agriculture, but keep that farm away!  (Please pray that the zoning permit will not be allowed.  This barn will be directly west of us and as you probably know, most of our wind is from the west.)  Anyways, after feeding we had to pick up a (FAT!) pony from Delphi and then I drove up north past Buffalo to drop off two more horses and pick up another.  By the time I got through all of this (none of which were a part of my plan), it was time to play with the ponies.  I continued to work with Max, our little boy.  The funniest part of the day occurred while I was working with Max on the ground.  He was a little more squirrelly than normal and quicker.  I had just made the comment, "Boy, he's a little fresh today."  Truer words were never spoken as at that moment, he reared up, turned and took off the other way.  I tried my best to hold on but once I got to the end of the rope and my feet had dug into the arena as much as they could, I fell down and let go.  Max ran through where Amie was lunging Nina and she started cracking up as she saw me on the ground laughing as well and shaking my head in disbelief at my prophetic words.  She said that all she heard was me say, "Boy, he's a little fresh today," and then Max was running past her.  :-)  He was a good boy while I rode him though.  We'd taken Flicka and Haddie up top yesterday so that Amie's kids could ride when they got home from school.  Braydn got to ride Haddie for a bit, learning to steer her through obstacles.

After dinner, I headed back to the barn where I lunged and rode Anthony until Amie came back from putting the kids in bed.  She started clipping up Tuni giving him a hunter clip while I pulled Anthony's mane, brushing out his tail and cutting it, and clipping up his face.  After we were done, our ponies looked spiffy!  It was also 10:30 by the time we got everything cleaned up and we headed home.  Good day.  Ready for a day off tomorrow!

Pulling Anthony's Mane

Clipping

Anthony's Tail

Tuni!

Lookin' Good!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Okay, so most people don't go around saying, "Happy Veteran's Day."  I want to pay tribute to all our fighting men and women, active, reserve, and guard, everyone of them who have sacrificed in some way to serve our country.  I think very highly of our military and find it such a noble profession.  If you were to ask me if I were willing to sacrifice myself for my friends and family, I would do so in an instant.  If you were to ask me to do the same for a stranger, I'd probably do it in the heat of the moment but there may be some hesitation.  But our soldiers are risking their lives to protect our lives, to protect our freedoms, and our way of life.....and they've never met you.  They serve our country at the highest level.

Thank you to.........

First off, my dad, Don Hunsberger, who spent almost 20 years in the Indiana National Guard in the medical corp.  He almost made it to retirement but when the kid's lives got more busy, he elected to spend more time with them.

My Grandpa Hunsberger (may he rest in peace) fought in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge and spent the first two years of my dad's life in Europe.  He never talked about his time over there and I only learned of his involvement after he died and we found out the important battles he fought in.  When I carry the American flag for the 4th of July, I think of him as that flag hung in front of his house for years.

My Uncle Tom was drafted during the Vietnam War.  I don't know much other than he didn't make it onto Vietnam soil.  My Uncle Carl was drafted in the Korean War and spent some time there.

My brother David spent 6 (?) years in the Army Reserves.  Half of his unit got called up after the attacks of 9/11 but he did not go.  He will willing to go and I remember being nervous for him to go, but he stayed on U.S. soil.

There's probably more family members that have been a part of the military (I know of some who fought in the Revolutionary War) but I don't know who they are.  But I have a few friends out there.

Michael Kraft, currently serving in the Air Force.  I always thought he was a pretty great guy and then when I found out he was going to officer school, it added a whole other level of respect.  I'm sure he's taking a little bit of camp everywhere he's been stationed.  Currently that's in Montana.  Thanks Mongoose!

Molly Taskey, former barn assistant.  Served with the Navy for a few tours.  I think she's now getting her nursing degree.  Thanks Molly!

Our former camp director, near and dear to our hearts, Dave Wright served in our military and was wounded in his service.  Thanks Dave!!

Former counselor Molly Blankenberger (now Carnahan) married an Air Force man.  I've never met him, but I know Molly and there's sure to be challenges being the spouse of a soldier.  Going wherever he goes and having to stay behind when he goes on duty.  She's in Washington but soon to move overseas.

I know there's more folks out there that I know that are in the military but can't think of them all at this time.  Thank you all for your service, past and present.  We will never forget you.

2016, Obama's America

"Love him or hate him....now you know him."

That's the tag line of 2016, Obama's America.  A very insightful piece on the background of our current president, the possible theory behind his actions, and the potential consequences of another term.  Another term.  He won't be held back by a re-election.  He can unleash all that he wants.  And the world could very well be a scary place after four more years.  And why?  First off, our debt will be astronomical.  We will reach a point where our out of control debt will start to topple us as the world's largest economy.  The effect could be world wide.  Like it or not, while you may think that we should be the strongest, the protector of others, we are.  We are a country unlike any other but those in control are attempting to weaken us, to make us like any other country.  Reducing our nuclear warheads from 5,000 to 1,500 and eventually to 300 while Russia and Iran have no such reduction in their plans.  A nuclear free world is not a peaceful world.  There has to be a monitor, one who has some power to keep others in check.  The muslim nations will be allowed to run amuck and eventually create a United States of Islam.  Sorry but I don't want to live in a world full of extremists with no one to keep them in check because we've been weakened.

A little closer to home though.  Obama's heritage has completely shaped the man he is now (which is obviously true of a lot of us).  However, most of us didn't grow up in an "anti-Colonial" household with mentors who were true card carrying members of the Communist Party or had gone to Harvard to learn under the socialist teaching of a man so extreme that he was kicked out of a Socialistic country and has even gone on to say that he distanced himself from Obama because if anyone found out they were linked, there was no way Obama would have ever been elected.  You don't sit under preachers who preach "God damn America".  (Although I'm not sure if God should bless America or we should bless God).  However, someone did.  And his views, at their very base, are extremely un-American.

He's come out this election looking like a deer that's being hunted.  His words have more anger behind them than the positive words of change in 2008.  Revenge is on his mind, cover ups are happening all around us, and his undermining of his challenger through pictures of Romney in dunce caps and women trying to protect themselves are all painting him as scared, on the run, and fighting for this election.  It's ridiculous.  This amateur does not deserve one more time to "make it right."  He's done nothing of value these past four years.  The economy is no better, jobs are low, handouts are high, our military has a weak Commander in Chief, prices are rising and values are plummeting.  He's a man on the run (I hope!) and I hope we run him out this Tuesday.  I am 100% voting for Romney.  Even though he's Mormon?  Of course!  At first, I was hesitant during the primaries to vote for Romney because the Mormon religion is not mine, it's not my Christianity, and they can be a little weird.  However, what I have seen is a godly man who isn't throwing his religion into the campaign.  He isn't being overtly "Mormon" but a man who's saying what he believes and the politics he believes in.  He believes in small government, giving power to the states, good fiscal responsibility, pro-life, pro-military.  Some folks will not vote for him because he may cut funding to some programs that are close to their heart.  Let me just ask you one thing.  When your budget gets tight and your funds are low, do you not also make hard decisions to cut your spending or choose not to go out to eat or on a vacation because you cannot afford it.  In order to get our country back on track and reduce the ridiculous spending in D.C., there have to be tough decisions.  Romney and Ryan, I believe, are the best people for the job.  Looking at the candidates, they are our comeback team.  Here's my official vote.

Barack be nimble/

Barack be quick/

Barack be history/
November 6th

Nebraska Livin'

Aw Nebraska!  It was good to see you again.  My trip last year was amazing, therapeutic, and refreshing.  If there's one thing that I can say about being out there is that there just seems to be less noise.  I'm not just saying that it's quieter out there, although it is, but it's just less.....less.  I know, makes no sense.  You are out in the middle of nowhere (45 minutes off the main road, several thousands of acres, and neighbors miles apart) and there's little physical noise.  I don't have to listen to my cell phone go off, feel the pressure of checking email, and I go to bed early and sleep long and hard.  And there's less stimulus.  Seems like it's hard to get that at home.  There's noise from camp, noise from phones and TV and the distraction of always feeling like I need to do something.  So it's definitely refreshing and a great change of pace.

We left for NE Sunday afternoon and were able to drive Ben's car which meant incredible gas mileage compared to the truck which we took last time.  We arrived at 5:30 am our time and slept on the couch for about 2 hours and then were up and at 'em for the branding (100+ calves first site, 259 calves second site).  We didn't have any particular job this time but it was so fun to watch as usual.  My regret?  Not bringing my camera!  There were a bunch of kids there this time because of fall break and these guys are definitely little cowboys.  They are a different sort of kids, but not in a weird way.  This is their life.  They have no fear walking in and out of the cows at 5 or 6 years of age where other parents would be whisking them out of the way, their parents are watchful but have taught their kids to listen well and when they tell them to move, there is no hesitation.  They seem to be the most responsible kids you'll meet.  But, of course, they were having loads of  fun too.  They were practicing their roping, picking up the testicles from when after the cowboys castrated the bull calves and throwing them around (totally a boy thing!), and making a fort out of branches in the pasture.  At one point, they wandered into the pen from where the cowboys were dragging out the calves and caught themselves a calf and it took 6 kids to drag that calf in.  Best kodak moment ever!  Another good meal after the branding and we make it home by 5 pm.  It was a long dusty day and a shower couldn't come soon enough.  A quick dinner and I was in bed by 8:45 and slept for 12 straight hours.  The next day, we help a bit around the house, go with Trevor to pick up a washing machine from a friend and then pick up fence, and then Amie and I get to go ride.  She rode Bob and I rode Romeo.  It was quite the adventure as we just headed out, following fence lines and attempting to circle around it all but the sun decided to go down and, well, there's a lot of land to cover out there.  We did pass 3 cows who were dead and gone.  Two were piles of bones and one was obviously still food for the coyotes.  Makes sense to leave them out there when they die.  Food for something.  Then it was back home and time for dinner.  A wind advisory was in effect from 11pm that night on and, right on cue, two hours after I'd gone to bed, that wind came.  It was incredibly gusty (50mph) and the house whistled and things banged all night along.

The next day was still windy and about mid morning we got the chance to move calves.  It was about 49 degrees and a constant wind of about 35 mph and still gusting up to 50.  We bundle up, saddle up, and canter on out to the field where the cows are.  We are bringing them to a closer field for the branding in a few days.  They come in pretty well and then we wait for a long 20-30 minutes in the wind for them to "pair up" again, meaning the moms and calves find each other again.  We go looking for a couple more pairs and herd them back and it was back to the trailer, back to the barn, then back out of the wind.  A good hot meal later and we spent the rest of the day inside playing with Amber's kids and taking naps and reading books.  Trevor had to go out and fight a ferocious grass fire that was probably started from a lit cigarette thrown from a car (cmon folks, really?  If you're going to have a disgusting habit, take care of it!) and with the recent drought and high wind, it was a recipe for disaster.  About 6 miles of land were burnt and although I heard of some evacuations, I have no idea how many homes were affected.  Even if no homes were harmed, it can still be devastating because these fine folks live off the land.  Anything (drought, fire, etc) that can harm the land will harm the people.  They got the fire under control and had to fight a small one the next day.                                      Small video to show the wind that day.  

Thursday was very lazy and the wind continued so we stayed inside and mostly talked and laid on the couch.  A good day spent doing nothing.  The plan was to leave Friday morning to make it back by Saturday trail rides.  All in all, it was a good trip.

The Nebraska cowboy of the Sandhills is a creature of contradictions.  He's a tough man, fighting the elements from atop his steed, working day in and day out in the roughest of weather.  Fixing fence, moving cows, getting up at night during calving, and taking care of everything and everyone when any help is miles and miles away.  There's lots of work to do and not many folk to help him.  His family and his cattle depend on him.  Yet he works on the most fragile of lands, the Sandhills.  He has to be a tough and patient man to take care of tender, gentle ground, but they work together and take care of one another so that both can survive.  He is the Nebraska cowboy.

In a minute, but not yet....

I swear I say that SO many times on a Saturday......

So while I have a great post in the works on my recent trip to Nebraska, I feel as though a few comments about my weekend are in order.  First off, after driving back yesterday and arriving early this morning, Amie and I hit the ground running with trail rides.  It started off a little slow but the girls finally started arriving at camp for time with their dads.  I had quite a few dads recognize me and comment how long I must have been working here.  Some remember me from when their oldest daughter had started the princess program.  Honestly, about 12,000 retreat guests come through here (on top of 36,000 other guests) and while I do remember a few of them (Chris from Illinois, I remember you and your family better be coming to Family Camp!), they certainly remember me more than I can remember them.  But it's fun to be pointed out like that.  Also, the dads this weekend seemed SO appreciative, whether it's of the ride, the horses, the extra time we might take to smile or make small talk with them and pay attention to just them for that one moment.  And sometimes, it's hard for these dads to stop and slow down and I think a weekend of camp is just what the doctor orders for them.  While we go through all the work of making sure they get on and around safely, they get to sit back and enjoy a quiet ride through the Pine Forest with it's tall pines reaching for the bright fall day.  It's a give and take but we certainly get a lot out of it too.  

Also, it's been fun recently because we've had an awesome young man, Alex, join our crew.  He's brought life back to working a long day of rides and Amie and I can't stop singing his praises.  He may not be the most skilled in working with the horses, but he's a hard worker, watches Amie and I and then puts it into practice, and has a most fantastic attitude.

And a few moments of humor that need to be recorded before they are lost.  Last weekend, during breakfast as I was passing around a napkin to get everyone's snack orders, one of our long time amazing workers Abby wasn't going to let Brandon (a young worker who we had told to come in later in the day) write down his snack because she thought he was working retreats and not with the horses because, "I didn't see you tacking up with me."  He's pretty particular about getting his snack and she wasn't going to let him have the napkin.  Soon Franki joined in and poor Brandon wasn't going to get to write down his order.  He looked like a puppy dog who'd just been beat.  Once I stopped laughing, I let him write it down.  I had never laughed so much at breakfast.  Then today, as Alex was having a little trouble getting Arden bridled, Franki comes in and asks if she can help. She slips the bridle on Arden then looks over at Alex and says, "See, it wasn't that hard." and walks away all sassy like.  Poor Alex.  As he walked away, I told him that when she had started working with us, she was quiet and shy.  Alex remarks, "Well, something happened."  I told him he was allowed to hit her for her next sassy comment....we almost had a WWF contest after lunch.  These guys make me laugh!

So that was my Saturday.  Sunday is going to be CRAZY with 2 girl scout troops coming in but I have faith in my crew.  Trail ride days are hard physically and just can get monotonous and be rough.  I'm reminded that a lot of it is in my attitude and then I try to meet the day head on.  Then I get to meet some cool dads and be a small part of their lives and also be a part of my worker's lives.  So all in all, not a bad day's work.

Interesting Reads

Experiences that Last a Lifetime

What Summer Camp Can Do

What Parents Don't Get About Camp

Can Counselors "Out-Parent" Parents?

Counselor vs Intern

In Praise of Summer Camp

While it may seem as though those who work at camp (full time or as a summer counselor) don't have a "real job", aren't "professional", and folks may just think that you play all day, what we do shapes lives in ways that no other "institution" can.  Plus we add the "C" of the YMCA into our program so our reach is that much more powerful.  Pretty interesting stuff!

Looking for Real

As I sat in a women's Bible study this past Thursday, I started thinking about how awkward it seemed to be.  The leader asking questions, hardly anyone responding or the same people responding, some sharing and some not.  This wouldn't be my first choice for a study, but it's a video series by Joyce Meyer and the topic is on the Promises of God.  I had been invited by a friend who has since moved away.  It's a study during the week which makes it more convenient for me.  I used to go to an awesome church.  I grew so much, learned so much, and developed a love of serving.  Unfortunately, some events occurred and I no longer go there and there are still .  I wish I could go back.  I wish it could all be the same again.  I know that church is no longer the same and neither am I.  And it would be too uncomfortable to go back, some feelings hurt too much to go back.  But maybe in a way, it's good to not go back.  I'm not the same.  While I learned a lot and grew so much, I also realize now how judgmental I could be.  Whether it was because of someone who didn't go to church on Sunday morning or maybe didn't "look" like a Christian, I'm sure I judged them before I'd even met them and gotten to know their story.  I think it was awesome for me to come to camp and to broaden my view, my scope, to not put Christianity in a box.  I took what I learned at church and really applied it.  Loving on the kids, discussing questions as deep as, "What will happen if I don't believe in God?" and "Is there absolute truth?", and showing the love of Christ everywhere I could.  So if sometimes things (friends, situations, etc) are only for a season and for a reason, then I believe that the church I was involved with prepared me for the next phase of life.

While this doesn't mean that you don't need to be growing and learning and be involved in a church, I have found it extremely hard to find another church.  First off, I work every Sunday so that's one difficulty.  Also, it's hard to find one that teaches good solid scripture and doesn't gloss over the "hard" stuff.  Not that I'm looking for doom and gloom, but I want a challenge.  And I also want real.  I don't want it to be full of fake, full of awkward, but with people who are the same every single day.  Not pious on Sunday and selfish and lacking love Monday through Saturday.  One where folks are sincere, genuine, not putting on an act, and you feel as though they care.  Obviously, no church is perfect.  No person is perfect.  Nothing will be perfect until He comes back again.  I know that there are real folks out there.  I work with a lot of them. :-)