It's Saturday and been 2 weeks

Today was a lazy day. I took two naps. ☺ Jason’s youth group ate breakfast this morning and then headed back into town. We’ll catch up with the Hurds later this week.
I also finished one book and began two others. The biography I’m reading on Lincoln right now looks at him through the eyes of his rivals. His three most outspoken rivals of his party were key members of his cabinet later and the three most critical opponents of the opposing party he also added to his cabinet. All of these men were better educated, better speakers plus they were more experienced. None of them liked him when they first met him (which is an amazing encouragement for me – I rarely make a good impression), but all of them counted them among his dearest friends later in life.

Happy 4th!

One of the things about coming to the Cobb Ranch is that this is one of the few places I can truly get physical rest. The hammock was ready for me when we arrived last night.

Of course, the way I’m fed while I’m here also means that I gain a bunch of weight.
One of the neighbors, who has to be one of the more generous people we know, heard that we were coming and dropped off a bunch of cream (so thick you have to spoon it out) and fresh beef. As I’ve gotten to know Paul and Ruby through the years, I’ve learned that she pays close attention to what people like and she provides it. They don’t have much to give but what she has, they give. She knows I love my home made ice cream and that there’s no ice cream in the world that’s better than what we make here with her cream…so she brought cream. She also knows I love my beef…and so she brought a Prime Rib Roast just for me.
Tonight, Jason & Laura’s youth group will come floating down the river to the back of the house on inner tubes and they’ll camp by the river. We’ll blow off some fireworks and have a great time.

Brendon will stay in the tent with his cousin as his first “away from mom and dad” camping experience.

We defaced a National Monument...

We arrived at the ranch late on Thursday, the 3rd so have not had internet access since.

Ian woke up on the 3rd saying he had a tummy ache but seemed to be OK. So we went ahead with our plans and checked out of the campground. We drove south of Rapid to Hot Springs and went to Wind Cave (rated very well by that book you bought Ian). Ian continued to say he wasn't feeling well but said he felt good enough to go on the cave tour. We barely got into a tour and sat through the orientation. "Please go to the bathroom now and eat/drink because this tour is 90 minutes and there are no facilities in the cave. Plus, do not touch, spit, or leave ANY kind of human touch in the cave as it will permanently alter the cave" -- that was the speech.

So we headed down into the cave...we were in the cave about 15 minutes when Ian, in my arms says, "dad..." then URP! and he threw up all over the cave wall. Then again and again. So much for leaving no human waste in the cave. He and I headed back to the entrance but about go lost with all the twists and turns (120 miles of cave), plus he started crying, "I want to see the cave dad! I'll feel better!" So we found our way back to the back of the tour group.

I carried him all 90 minutes, 452 stairs, and 5+ miles. He laid his head on my shoulder with his eyes open and would whisper in my ear, "that's awesome looking dad."

I kept thinking about the fact that we defaced a National Treasure with puke...

We skipped the Woolly Mammoth dig after that, with a promise to try and do it on the way home, and headed for the ranch...

1st of July Already?

Hard to believe it's July already?!

Spent most of the day today hanging out at the campground with Hurds. When they left, we took the boys to a big maze. Did it in 45 minutes! Then we lit a fire around 5 pm and kept feeding it until well after dark (a friend showed me how to start a fire using road flares – there is no other way!).

Yesterday

Yesterday was a fun day. We took our time getting ready at the hotel, then moved to "Mystery Mountain" campground just south of Rapid City. It's a nearly perfect campground. Lots of trees, quiet, hiking trails, no bugs!, fire pit, pool, free pancakes in the mornings, mini-golf, playground, and more.

Last night we made smores for the first time this trip. Kiley's sister's family (with the three cousins) are staying at a cabin on the campground as well, so they're running everywhere having a great time.

Anyway, back to yesterday...on the way to the campground we stopped by Cedar Canyon Camp, which is the Dakota District camp. We discovered, through a friend, that this district was having their conference there yesterday. This district is my home district, and Kiley grew up travelling form church to church here so we knew we'd run into friends.

We spent a few hours hanging out at the camp and visited with several friends. Doug Goodelle, the current pastor for my home church and a good friend to my folks was there. The delegate from my home church was Bruce King. Who was my CYC (the Wesleyan version of AWANA that dissappeared YEARS ago) leader for years. I give him credit with setting an environment for some great decisions for Christ in my life. We had a great visit. We also visited with many others: Bob Totino, Keith Loy, Dennis & Joanne Selfridge, Chuck & Judy Lucas, Merl & Ruth Baty, Brian Anderberg, Isaac Smith, Joanne Lyons, Bob & Amy Theis (that was interesting as she was a former girlfriend), plus some new recent friends, and so many more.

After lunch at the camp we left the trailer at our new campground and headed to meet the Andersons at Mt. Rushmore. The boys were more excited about seeing Blake & Gillian than they were the faces. :-) We took the walk around the base of the mountain then sat and ate ice cream on the patio overlooking the faces.

Kiley's sister's family joined us there, so we had a big group for a while.

After Rushmore, we went back to the campground, lit a fire, and at Brauts, hot dogs, chips and more. Then it was S'more time!

We finally collapsed into bed about 11:00 after some reading by camplight.

Today, we're off to see Wall-e, then we're planning on seeing the Mt. Rushmore lighting ceremony tonight. Other than that, it's a lazy day!

Memories from the Last Few days

Haven't listed out some of my favorite memories for a few days:

• Watching my boys' faces when we walked into the indoor pool room and they saw the 2 story twisting water slide at our hotel in Sturgis

• Eating Pizza at the Pizza Ranch in Sturgis and just laughing at each other
• Blowing out a second tire on the trailer -- argh...again though, at the perfect location, with the perfect weather and the right tools.
• Picnicking near the top of the Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It has to be one of the best picnic spots ever...

• Eating Old Fashioned Ice Cream on the porch of Old Faithful Inn watching Old Faithful go off with the sunset making a rainbow in it's steam.

• Playing cards in the camper with Kiley's folks on our last night in Yellowstone.

• Hiking around Dragon's mouth cave. All the adults wanted to take the short route, but the boys refused and we had to take the long route.
• Staying at a beautiful campground in Buffalo, WY. (The hometown of my first girlfriend, but that's another "camp crush" story). The cottonwood trees were shedding so much it looked like it was snowing.
• Watching the boys hike through the woods with their matching glow-in-the-dark Yellowstone T-shirts and Coon Skin caps.

• Walking around Devil's Tower. Watching people climb it. Thinking, "No one can look at this and think this is some random act of nature...it's too creative."
• Playing for hours in the pool in Sturgis with the boys (we are LOVING camping, but have to admit, a couple nights in a hotel is fun too).
• Eating junk food for supper on Sunday night and watching old Incredible Hulk and Iron Man cartoons together.
• Finding free Wi-Fi signals at random campgrounds around Devil's Tower while we drive in order to hunt for a hotel.
  

Church

Went to Countryside Community Church in Spearfish, SD this morning where my friend, Bob Totino, is on staff. They're one of two churches in the Dakota District of the Wesleyan church that are truly reaching lost people like crazy.

They're so busy reaching lost people that they hardly have time to figure out what to do next. This is one church that has truly figured out the keys to the culture of their community. Their music fits the community, so does their style and approach. They aren't trying to be an image of one of the big churches out there, although, you can tell they've learned from the best. They have intentionally chosen to do what works in THEIR community.

This church was planted by Chris Conrad, then when he went to Wisconsin to plant a new church, their search for a new pastor led them to Mark, who was already on the inside. He's taken the church to whole new heights. They've built a great building and have impacted their community. As I talked to him this morning, he's working closely with the district to figure out how to reach the smaller communities of the Dakota District. He has some brilliant ideas.

It was also a fun surprise to be there this morning as Chris Conrad came "home" to speak.

I also found out that the Dakota District is having Camp and Conference this week in Rapid City. We're going to stop in and visit with some old friends. I'm hoping there are some college friends, as well as friends from my home town.

One Week

It's been one week to the day since we left Sacramento and headed East. I haven't posted in a few days mainly because I've had far too many thoughts and was tempted to move into "work" mode.

The Holy Spirit has been working on me for many months now. This summer could not come at a better time for my soul (but God's timing is always the right time isn't it?). I have to confess, I've been tired in my soul for months. Not necessarily physically tired, so many others have so much more to deal with in their lives than I do. There has just been a weariness in my soul that has, at times, been beyond my ability to know what to do. There has been a creeping coldness at times in my soul that I have had to actively fight. The kind of coldness that causes an internal self-absorption instead of an outward heart-for-the-world.

In the middle of this subtle battlefield, the Holy Spirit has been quietly transforming my mind and heart once again. He's brought me to points of re-examining, deepening, and strengthening values, purpose, and faith. I know He's preparing me for another wave of involvement in His activities. I'm not sure what that looks like yet...in fact, I've got a lot of questions I'm asking right now.

I do know a few things He seems to be saying clearly:

• Relationships are more important to God's work than I've ever come to understand in the past.
• I am to somehow lean into my strengths and away from my weaknesses more than ever before.
• My family is my first ministry.
• God made seasons for a reason - we are to live and move in seasons.
• God is using a new wave of leaders with a different focus than the last 20 years (more on this at some other time).
• I am to go deeper into His Word than ever before.
• I have seen myself as not having much vision, I have more vision than I have given myself credit for.
• I need to spend more time visiting churches (not necessarily big ones) that are accomplishing the Mission (capital M) to keep my heart stirring - this comes from visiting a friend's church this morning (another post).
• God is creative - we limit Him when we emulate other churches instead of seeking His face AND using the brains that He has given us. This takes time, brains, study, experimentation and prayer. It does not mean that we don't study and use what others are doing. It does mean that He likes doing new things.
• It is vital for churches to figure out the key to their culture. What language speaks the loudest? What communicates love the most? What will turn the heads of the community due to their surprise and wonder at who these people are instead of shock and dismay?

I've got to stop...there's a ton working on my heart right now. I pray that I am being renewed for another wave of being in the center of His active Kingdom.