And so far, no major disasters!
Actually, all is going exceptionally smoothly, as far as I can tell. The staff is great, the parents are happy (as far as I know!), and the kids are having a blast and learning tons. (Glory to God!)
And the Kenosha News came today to take pictures! It was Create-Your-Own-Superhero-Costume Day. --They kept trying to figure out what show we were doing!
Team pictures, Showcase and other wrap-up festivities are tomorrow.
Then maybe I'll have time to post some pictures!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Summer Camp Prayer Requests
My friend Amy asked, in the comments awhile back, if I had prayer requests for the upcoming drama day camp that I am running next week--and I should have posted them a long time ago!
I especially could have used prayer when I was UNABLE to work on preparations for summer camp because I was too busy dealing with a flooded basement and outfitting boys for a funeral (I tell you, it had been long time since we made sure they all had suit coats, dress shirts, belts, dress socks, ties and church shoes!). And ATTENDING the funeral, and then going on the camping trip that had been planned a long time.
My anxiety level has been gradually raising with all the things I should be doing to prepare--and then it turns out that the bulk of it all happens the weekend before. Which is NOW.
So pray for me and my family to get it all done. Before Monday! My kids are folding t-shirts and writing out name labels and stuffing zip-loc bags while I email my staff, helpers, and parents of campers. And purchase supplies. And make copies. And comb my manual for details I haven't covered yet!
For next week, pray for:
--good health for every one involved--kids and staff
--protection from accidents
--that each child that comes would be pointed toward God by the words and example of the staff and by the presence of God among us
--for unity and grace among staff and with kids and parents
--for a good foundation for CYT Kenosha to be laid by this camp
--for connections to be made
--for my memory, to be able to remember parents, kids, names!
--that the details would all get covered without too much stress--my first time doing this!
Praises already:
--112 kids signed up!! Since we are a brand-new area, we would have been happy with half that many. It is really exciting to have so many kids coming!!!!
--a wonderful facility to hold the camp, and great support from the family pastor there!
--experienced, enthusiastic staff to teach the classes and run the rehearsals. They will make my job much easier!
--two more helpers volunteered this week, bringing my total up to 8. We could use 11 for this size camp, but I'm greatly relieved to now have 8 (vs. the 6 that I had at the beginning of the week). God provides!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS. I am so excited to watch what God will do next week!!
I especially could have used prayer when I was UNABLE to work on preparations for summer camp because I was too busy dealing with a flooded basement and outfitting boys for a funeral (I tell you, it had been long time since we made sure they all had suit coats, dress shirts, belts, dress socks, ties and church shoes!). And ATTENDING the funeral, and then going on the camping trip that had been planned a long time.
My anxiety level has been gradually raising with all the things I should be doing to prepare--and then it turns out that the bulk of it all happens the weekend before. Which is NOW.
So pray for me and my family to get it all done. Before Monday! My kids are folding t-shirts and writing out name labels and stuffing zip-loc bags while I email my staff, helpers, and parents of campers. And purchase supplies. And make copies. And comb my manual for details I haven't covered yet!
For next week, pray for:
--good health for every one involved--kids and staff
--protection from accidents
--that each child that comes would be pointed toward God by the words and example of the staff and by the presence of God among us
--for unity and grace among staff and with kids and parents
--for a good foundation for CYT Kenosha to be laid by this camp
--for connections to be made
--for my memory, to be able to remember parents, kids, names!
--that the details would all get covered without too much stress--my first time doing this!
Praises already:
--112 kids signed up!! Since we are a brand-new area, we would have been happy with half that many. It is really exciting to have so many kids coming!!!!
--a wonderful facility to hold the camp, and great support from the family pastor there!
--experienced, enthusiastic staff to teach the classes and run the rehearsals. They will make my job much easier!
--two more helpers volunteered this week, bringing my total up to 8. We could use 11 for this size camp, but I'm greatly relieved to now have 8 (vs. the 6 that I had at the beginning of the week). God provides!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS. I am so excited to watch what God will do next week!!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Something I Miss
Here's something I wish my younger kids could be involved in at our old church...like the older ones used to...
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Time for a Nap, Dear....
We were headed home from our camping trip, and I was driving Papa Rooster's Prius while he drove the van pulling the trailer. Chicklet6 had ended up in my backseat, and 2 minutes into the 20 minute ride home, I could see her head nodding in the rearview mirror. A moment later she asked,
"Mom, what does it mean when someone can't keep their eyes open?"
"Mom, what does it mean when someone can't keep their eyes open?"
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
All God's Creatures
Since the weekend weather for our camping trip was unseasonably chilly for the first week of JULY, we took our Illinois friends that we were camping with to the Milwaukee Zoo instead of the beach on our first day. It was our first time to visit the Zoo, too!
Papa Rooster is still having fun with his new camera and lens, and the animals were interesting subjects.
I love giraffes. What comic grace! (Graceful comedy?)
This bear was cool. Sadly, he reminded me of a bear rug. I love the way they swing their heads around.
Don't you love the intensity in that cheetah? He could be on a motivational poster. "FOCUS." "DRIVE." Or something like that. (Sorry if I just ruined that picture for you. He was for real!)
Those were all taken outdoors. These next ones were all taken inddors, through glass:
There is nothing like a gorilla. What an immense, soulful creature!
God must have had fun creating all the monkeys:
What variety--and oddity! You know He has a sense of humor when you see one like this.
The most amazing creature we saw was this lion, who rested near the glass so everyone could admire him. He was totally comfortable with the crowd that gathered. He even got up and paced back and forth for five minutes or so, next to the glass the whole time, so we could clearly appreciate his supple power.
Since we just re-read most of the Narnia books, of course I couldn't help but think of Aslan. This is my favorite Aslan-ish face:
Doesn't he look wise and stern and splendid? Yet possibly gentle and loving underneath--and maybe about to speak? I think so, anyway.
Do you know the song "All God's Creatures Got a Place in the Choir"?
Papa Rooster is still having fun with his new camera and lens, and the animals were interesting subjects.
I love giraffes. What comic grace! (Graceful comedy?)
This bear was cool. Sadly, he reminded me of a bear rug. I love the way they swing their heads around.
Don't you love the intensity in that cheetah? He could be on a motivational poster. "FOCUS." "DRIVE." Or something like that. (Sorry if I just ruined that picture for you. He was for real!)Those were all taken outdoors. These next ones were all taken inddors, through glass:
There is nothing like a gorilla. What an immense, soulful creature!God must have had fun creating all the monkeys:
What variety--and oddity! You know He has a sense of humor when you see one like this.
The most amazing creature we saw was this lion, who rested near the glass so everyone could admire him. He was totally comfortable with the crowd that gathered. He even got up and paced back and forth for five minutes or so, next to the glass the whole time, so we could clearly appreciate his supple power.
Since we just re-read most of the Narnia books, of course I couldn't help but think of Aslan. This is my favorite Aslan-ish face:
Doesn't he look wise and stern and splendid? Yet possibly gentle and loving underneath--and maybe about to speak? I think so, anyway.Do you know the song "All God's Creatures Got a Place in the Choir"?
Monday, July 06, 2009
Fun Times Too
Blogging has been sparse because...once we got back from the funeral, we turned right around and went camping for four days! Not the kind of thing you announce on the internet, though. Papa Rooster took many pictures so I will have lots to share this week, which is an excellent thing, because I shall be busy with final preparations for the drama camp I am coordinating--which is NEXT WEEK!
In the meantime, a few more photos from our trip home to Ohio for the funeral.
To relieve congestion in my parents' home, we brought our trailer. It looked surprisingly at home, I thought, next to the old chicken barn where I used to keep my pony.
"Knee high by the Fourth of July" is an adage I grew up with, but this year's crop came nearly to my shoulders, with the Fourth of July a week away!
How do you work this thing?
Ah, ya gotta put your weight into it!
The tire swing and swinging rope are perennial favorites.
But the big attraction this trip was the cousins!
At last, Bantam10 found someone who would play board games with him all day long. (Click to enlarge and see if you recognize Score Four, a game our family played all the time back in the 70's.)
A little drama:
Chicklet6 got her fingers slammed in the trailer door. :(
Look at those toes!
In the meantime, a few more photos from our trip home to Ohio for the funeral.
To relieve congestion in my parents' home, we brought our trailer. It looked surprisingly at home, I thought, next to the old chicken barn where I used to keep my pony.
"Knee high by the Fourth of July" is an adage I grew up with, but this year's crop came nearly to my shoulders, with the Fourth of July a week away!
How do you work this thing?
Ah, ya gotta put your weight into it!
The tire swing and swinging rope are perennial favorites.
But the big attraction this trip was the cousins!
At last, Bantam10 found someone who would play board games with him all day long. (Click to enlarge and see if you recognize Score Four, a game our family played all the time back in the 70's.)
A little drama:Chicklet6 got her fingers slammed in the trailer door. :(
Look at those toes!Friday, July 03, 2009
Funeral and Photo Ops
This is the old Baptist church that Papa Rooster and I were married in.
My dad's side of the family has attended here for generations. I used to sit in that balcony to sing with the Junior Choir, and I was baptized in that baptistry.
My brothers and husband helped carry my grandfather's casket through these same doors nine years ago.
This time, two of my sons were old enough to join them. Grandma would be pleased!
And here we are at the family plot at the cemetery. It's a beautiful spot. The headstones all around bear familiar old family names; names I've grown up with, but people I never knew.
Until now. Now Grandma and Grandpa are both there, and the plot is full. Future generations will have to be buried elsewhere.
At the cemetery, Bantam10 managed to snap a good picture of his dad! Gotta love that sun hat.
Papa Rooster was determined to get a nice portrait of me.
Back at home, he snapped this candid of my niece...
And captured Professor Brother and family the day before.
We think this one of Bantam4 is a winner too!
My dad's side of the family has attended here for generations. I used to sit in that balcony to sing with the Junior Choir, and I was baptized in that baptistry.
My brothers and husband helped carry my grandfather's casket through these same doors nine years ago.
This time, two of my sons were old enough to join them. Grandma would be pleased!
And here we are at the family plot at the cemetery. It's a beautiful spot. The headstones all around bear familiar old family names; names I've grown up with, but people I never knew.Until now. Now Grandma and Grandpa are both there, and the plot is full. Future generations will have to be buried elsewhere.
***
At the cemetery, Bantam10 managed to snap a good picture of his dad! Gotta love that sun hat.
Papa Rooster was determined to get a nice portrait of me.
Back at home, he snapped this candid of my niece...
And captured Professor Brother and family the day before.
We think this one of Bantam4 is a winner too!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Family Time at the Wake
Or do you call it "the viewing"? That's what they call it where I'm from in Ohio. Many people came to pay their respects to Grandma and all of us, but these shots are mostly from the family-only time in the first hour.
Bantam18 and Blondechick16 looking at old photos
with Pilot Uncle (foreground) and my cousin (center).
The two 10-year-olds really hit it off! Here they are watching
a video slideshow of photos covering Grandma's life span--
from high school to great-grandmother.
Professor Brother and I look on.
Chicklet6 with 7-year-old cousin and Bantam4.
My oldest and youngest.
Teacher Aunt fixing hair of impatient 3-year-old cousin.
All the kids were tired by the end of the four hours.
Did you recognize B4 and B10 with their new haircuts?
Pilot Brother and Summer page through a photo album.
Their girls (3 & 1) stayed home in Florida. Summer is expecting
their third little girl before the end of August!
It was a joy to see many old family friends that afternoon, but here I am with a friend I met for the first time. I have heard of her all my life though, and since I began blogging, we have enjoyed a lovely email correspondence. She was a student of my dad's during one of his first years as a high school biology teacher, and I am named Jeanne after this Jeannie! (As Teacher Aunt observed, that's quite a tribute, for a teacher to name a child after a student!) I was so happy to finally meet her--and see why she's a special lady!
B4 needed constant shirt-tucking-in.
Telling secrets.
California Cousin wins over Bantam4.
In the midst of death, life!
Bantam18 and Blondechick16 looking at old photoswith Pilot Uncle (foreground) and my cousin (center).
The two 10-year-olds really hit it off! Here they are watchinga video slideshow of photos covering Grandma's life span--
from high school to great-grandmother.
Professor Brother and I look on.
Chicklet6 with 7-year-old cousin and Bantam4.
My oldest and youngest.
Teacher Aunt fixing hair of impatient 3-year-old cousin.
All the kids were tired by the end of the four hours.Did you recognize B4 and B10 with their new haircuts?
Pilot Brother and Summer page through a photo album.Their girls (3 & 1) stayed home in Florida. Summer is expecting
their third little girl before the end of August!
It was a joy to see many old family friends that afternoon, but here I am with a friend I met for the first time. I have heard of her all my life though, and since I began blogging, we have enjoyed a lovely email correspondence. She was a student of my dad's during one of his first years as a high school biology teacher, and I am named Jeanne after this Jeannie! (As Teacher Aunt observed, that's quite a tribute, for a teacher to name a child after a student!) I was so happy to finally meet her--and see why she's a special lady!
B4 needed constant shirt-tucking-in.
Telling secrets.
California Cousin wins over Bantam4.
In the midst of death, life!Thanks, Papa Rooster, for taking all the pictures!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Celebrating Grandma's Life
...with family and so many friends. What a privilege!
Ninety-seven years of a life well-lived, here on earth--
Now, a new life in heaven with her Lord and other beloved ones.
So much to celebrate.
All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
~1 Corinthians 15:39-44
Ninety-seven years of a life well-lived, here on earth--
Now, a new life in heaven with her Lord and other beloved ones.
So much to celebrate.
All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
~1 Corinthians 15:39-44
Thursday, June 25, 2009
This Week's To-Do List
It's been just a little busy around the Henhouse this week...
Prepare for funeral:
--take boys in for haircuts
--cut B18's hair myself
--take B18 and B14 shopping for dress clothes, suitable for pall bearers
--figure out outfits for myself, Chicklet and B4
--take Blondechick shopping?
--belts? shoes? nylons? dress socks?
Prepare for road trip:
--new tires on van
--to mechanic's re: Check Engine light
--check supplies in camper
--laundry
--pack for me, Chicklet and B4; inspect the rest
Flood recovery:
--get furniture back in place, books on shelves, sundries back in place
Appointments:
--claims adjuster
--chiropractor (residual pain from accident)
--dentist (1 child only, fortunately...)
--piano lesson
--refrigerator repairman
--core team meeting (church)
--meet with pastor of church where drama camp will be held
--tour potential facility for next year's productions
--interviews with two potential teachers/directors
Other:
--keep up with emails
--get through paperwork backlog
--find more teenage helpers for summer camp! We have 107 kids registered--praise God!
Prepare for funeral:
--take boys in for haircuts
--cut B18's hair myself
--take B18 and B14 shopping for dress clothes, suitable for pall bearers
--figure out outfits for myself, Chicklet and B4
--take Blondechick shopping?
--belts? shoes? nylons? dress socks?
Prepare for road trip:
--new tires on van
--to mechanic's re: Check Engine light
--check supplies in camper
--laundry
--pack for me, Chicklet and B4; inspect the rest
Flood recovery:
--get furniture back in place, books on shelves, sundries back in place
Appointments:
--claims adjuster
--chiropractor (residual pain from accident)
--dentist (1 child only, fortunately...)
--piano lesson
--refrigerator repairman
--core team meeting (church)
--meet with pastor of church where drama camp will be held
--tour potential facility for next year's productions
--interviews with two potential teachers/directors
Other:
--keep up with emails
--get through paperwork backlog
--find more teenage helpers for summer camp! We have 107 kids registered--praise God!
Monday, June 22, 2009
We Got Books
And thank God, they are all safe and dry!
Below, you can see the carpet on the left "floating" above the ground as the industrial strength blower (blue, in the corner) blasts air beneath it.
Fortunately they were able to blow air in underneath the theater seats by cutting a hole in the back wall behind them (through a closet in the bathroom).
Today, the team declared the basement completely dry (the only one of their "jobs" to be dry, they said) and removed all the blowers and dehumidifiers. Papa Rooster stretched all the carpets back into place with the carpet stretcher tool he bought to do the carpet on the platform for the theater seats, and we were able to move all the shelves back into place, in the alcove behind the TV and in his office. Tomorrow, we put all the books and movies back on the right shelves!
The flooding was caused by heavy rains--7 inches in less than 24 hours--and our neighbor said that never in his 52 years in this area has he seen anything like it. Over 800 homes in our area of Kenosha were flooded! So it seems unlikely that we will have continual issues with flooding in the future, especially since we were relatively unscathed in this trial. The only thing we are throwing out is the gazebo, while our neighbors' driveways are lined with trash bags and carpet rolls. It's been a hassle and a big expense, but we have a lot of reasons to be thankful!
No, we didn't get pictures of the flood itself, because it was dark when we arrived home, and by the next morning, the water was all gone.
Below, you can see the carpet on the left "floating" above the ground as the industrial strength blower (blue, in the corner) blasts air beneath it.
Fortunately they were able to blow air in underneath the theater seats by cutting a hole in the back wall behind them (through a closet in the bathroom).Today, the team declared the basement completely dry (the only one of their "jobs" to be dry, they said) and removed all the blowers and dehumidifiers. Papa Rooster stretched all the carpets back into place with the carpet stretcher tool he bought to do the carpet on the platform for the theater seats, and we were able to move all the shelves back into place, in the alcove behind the TV and in his office. Tomorrow, we put all the books and movies back on the right shelves!
The flooding was caused by heavy rains--7 inches in less than 24 hours--and our neighbor said that never in his 52 years in this area has he seen anything like it. Over 800 homes in our area of Kenosha were flooded! So it seems unlikely that we will have continual issues with flooding in the future, especially since we were relatively unscathed in this trial. The only thing we are throwing out is the gazebo, while our neighbors' driveways are lined with trash bags and carpet rolls. It's been a hassle and a big expense, but we have a lot of reasons to be thankful!
No, we didn't get pictures of the flood itself, because it was dark when we arrived home, and by the next morning, the water was all gone.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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