VBS 2009

One of the high points of the year for me is Vacation Bible School.

It is also one of the most exhausting.

It does weird things to you

(yes, that is Steve Sheets)
You get to try new experiences in child care

(and Rick Poorman)

And it makes you do things you would not normally do

But for some reason when I suggest going to 10 day VBS next year everyone gives me the same look?

....actually, that wasn't it.

And when VBS is over for another year everyone gets excited about that as well


But we will do it again next year and love almost every minute of it.
I can hardly wait.

The trouble with having your name on the truck door:

Sue and I had been out for supper for our anniversary and stopped by Wal-Mart in Terre Haute for some grand-kid supplies. When we were walking back to the truck the lady parked beside us said "You don't remember me do you? 26 years ago I was broke down along side the road Highway 154 and you guys gave me a ride to my dad's place." I guess I'm a bit ashamed I didn't, but I'm glad it is not so uncommon to offer someone help that I don't remember all the faces.

Sue and I got to discussing some of the folks we had stopped and assisted (my kids will tell you the old guy rarely passes a stopped vehicle with a person inside, especially a female with kids). I guess one thing really stuck with us. We have done it so often that it is second nature to us, and so few of them we remember.

I'm sure to them it is a memorable experience and like Pam (the lady's name) they remember details. But to us it is just something we do. I only remember one time vividly. We were coming back from Sue's folks and a young woman and child were stranded. We ended up bringing them home for the night and arranging for their car to be repaired the next day. It is the only time I really felt we stuck our necks out for 2 reasons. 1) we brought them into our house even though we did not know them (and to be honest I can't tell you her name today) and 2) we went to our local mechanic, who had a wrecker at the time, and told him we would guarantee he was paid for the parts on this job so the only risk he had was the labor.

I am also struck by something else. I do not recall ever feeling threatened in any way. As pastor Jack would say, God has been good to us.

Hello from the fireworks capitol of SE IL and SW IN

OK, so maybe I am rubbing it in a bit. West Union went ahead with our scheduled fireworks July 4th. I'm told the closest place that didn't cancel as French Lick. The crowd was WAY down, but it was one of the better fireworks shows they've had. The parade was rescheduled, which I think was unnecessary but will work out OK. There is a service scheduled at the park at 5 PM Sunday honoring military/EMS/firefighters/police and a 2:00 parade will fit in quite nicely.

We did it! We finished planting Thursday. Well, maybe we just quit. We got everything planted we intended except for a couple low spots, and did not replant a few drowned out spots. And there was 20 acres I would have liked to double-cropped, but by the time I figured seed cost plus the cost of planting and harvesting with a herbicide application ... I didn't care it I planted any more non-irrigated double crops or not.