Church Camp

Singing to our Lord, class time spent in studying the Word, devotionals, worship service, and Christian fellowship are all highlights of time spent at Silver Maple Camp near Kingman, KS for church camp. We had around 200 kids and counselors at the camp grounds this year the last full week in July. This camp is supported and promoted by the churches of Christ throughout Kansas and the neighboring states.

Yes, the weather was hot and humid, but for some reason when you are at camp and busy attending all the activities, you don’t seem to notice it as much. There was only one shower of rain during the week, and it was just enough to settle the dust. The skies at night were absolutely awesome. We would sing songs late at night when it was dark, and you could look up and see part of the vast universe displayed with its brilliant stars. One particular night there was even a shower of falling stars.

We sing a cappella, and it was beautiful. All the parts of bass through soprano were beautifully harmonized. The theme this year was ‘running the race,’ taken from Hebrews 12:1. This theme was studied during morning class time, morning and bedtime devotionals, and was also the subject of the evening worship lesson by five different speakers throughout the week. In the afternoon there was also a session called ‘Pot Luck’ which varied from day to day. It was an activity that got the kids involved with each other and doing some studying in their Bibles. There was also a session called ‘genderfication’ (a word made up by our camp director) in which the boys and girls were separated and learned what their rolls are – not only in life, but also within the church.

The kids were also held accountable for keeping their cabins clean by competing to see who could have the cleanest cabin in order to go to lunch first. And speaking of food – wow! We had three square meals a day that were cooked and served by the volunteer cooks and also volunteers who came from various local congregations to help out. The food was delicious! And then there was afternoon and evening canteen where the kids could have a candy bar and cup of pop. The kids looked with anticipation to this time of day, but it made it interesting for the counselors to get a few of them wound down to get to sleep after that sugar rush.

We also had an evening activity which got all of the kids involved in doing things together – such as ultimate duck-duck-goose, scavenger hunt for items in the Bible, fun night of different games, skit night portraying the Bible character for whom their cabin was named, and talent night where kids could perform for others with their own singing or expertise. Some of these were awesome. And of course there was always afternoon activity time where the girls could swim and the boys do crafts and then switch, or play baseball or soccer, or go fishing.

This was mine and my husband’s eighth year and our sons’ ninth year of attending Silver Maple Camp. It was our youngest son’s last year as a camper, so we will all be returning next year as counselors. Our others sons have been serving in that capacity already the last several years. Probably the most rewarding thing when camp is over for the week is seeing how the kids have grown spiritually during the week. There were even four baptisms this year. We always look forward with anticipation to camp for the next year. It’s great to get spiritually rejuvenated for another 51 weeks. Just as we sometimes need to get the right mindset with our daily life and running businesses or working jobs by reading positive books and being with positive people, we need the Bible and Christian associations to give us the right mindset for getting us through our spiritual life on a daily basis.

Author: Linda Dougherty
Specializes in working with people to show them how to market effectively to earn money online.

http://www.internettowealth.com/

The Good Old Days

I recently received a phone call for a cake order for a party for a lady who is turning 100 years old tomorrow. I felt honored to do her cakes. There was also a front-page article in our local newspaper about a county resident who turned 108 on July 6! There was also a big celebration for him. As I am working on the cakes, I have to stop and wonder to myself what these two centurions have seen in their lives in the last 100 or more years. I’m not ever half their age yet, and I think sometimes I have seen a lot of changes in my life. Just with the conveniences I have seen materialize, I have come to the conclusion that I am glad I live in the present time in history and not those prior to my lifetime! Here are some to name a few, not in any particular order of importance:

Microwaves
Cell Phones
Electricity
Air Conditioning
Forced Air Heating
Computers
The Internet
Online Businesses
Email
Hot Water Heaters
Digital Cameras
Televisions
Vinyl House Siding
Canned Foods
Refrigerators
Freezers
Motorized Vehicles
Dishwashers
Washers and Dryers
Calculators
Fast Food Establishments
Frozen Foods
Riding Lawn Mowers
Weed Eaters
Indoor Plumbing
Vacuum Sweepers
Water Filtration Systems
Car Seats for Kids & Babies
Cake Mixes
Electric Mixers

Well, I am sure the list could go on and on. As I was doing the cakes, I thought how thankful I was for cake mixes and my electric mixer. I remember back in the day when you did not splurge and buy a cake mix. You had all the ingredients on hand so you just mixed it up from scratch. And if you did have a mix, you may not have an electric mixer. It actually gave the instruction on how many times to stir or beat the mix with a spoon on the back of the box!

I can remember hearing stories from my grandparents, and even my parents, about how certain things were done before the modern conveniences of today. They are like horror stories to me, but if you lived in that era you did not know any better. That was just the way it was. Some older people may use the expression of “The Good Old Days” when they refer to something from their younger years, but I don’t know of too many of them who have been spoiled by the conveniences of today that would go back and live in that time again.


Author: Linda Dougherty
Specializes in working with people to show them how to market effectively to earn money online.

http://www.internettowealth.com/