random thoughts

• The forgiveness of God doesn't simply restore us to the way we were before, but to the way we were meant to be.
• The genesis of Sesame Street was a father wondering aloud if television could be used to teach preschool aged children.
• The Watchmen book is better than the film.
• Same with Prince Caspian.
• Ditto for the Passion of the Christ.
• The Muppet Movie never gets old.
• Disney has DVDs where the commentary isn't simply a rehash of the info learned on the making of documentaries.
• I am now a volunteer for Redwood Kids 
• The main puppet characters at Redwood are named Sven and Ollie.
• When I was a kid, the pastor of my church often told Sven and Ollie jokes.
• I can't believe the good fortune I have had in finding a church/small group.
• This is the fourth time the first church I attended has been the church I made my home church (high school, college, Grace, and now here). In the case of Grace and Redwood Covenant Church (aka RCC) they were not only the first church I attended, but the only church.
• I am contracted to stay at camp through the summer
• I won't make it home for VBS =(
• I am trying to find another, less busy week, to visit Long Beach.
• The act of Jesus kneeling to wash the disciples feet (John 13) is also an act of lifting them up.
• The God who made the cosmos, stripped down, wrapped a towel around himself, and washed the feet of the disciples. Showing not only an example of service, but one of giving worth to those men, an act that would be repeated and magnified as He died on the cross in our place.
• There were no guests (not counting three families of co-workers) this weekend, so that means we don't have to pick up trash before work this morning. (We usually pick Friday afternoon after the kids leave and again Monday or Tuesday after weekend guests leave and before the kids arrive.)
• The fifteen minutes I had before work have now been filled by this list.

Odds and Ends

So, I was home this weekend. And I learned as I caught up with people, that there are few details of the job I haven't shared with you all.

To fix that oversight is a bulleted list of random things about my current job.

• I was living in a house with 5 other guys. The house while it had a living room and kitchen (and three bathrooms) was more a dorm type deal.
• I am now living in a one bed room house with a proper living room/kitchen and only one other person.
• I work 40 hours a week.
• I seldom work on Monday.
• A typical day starts at 8:15am.
• With meal breaks I can be done as late as 9:30pm or even 11:00pm.
• Other days I am done at noon.
• The sun goes down around 5:30pm.
• By 11:30pm I feel like I have been up all night.
• The kids who come to camp are from public schools.
• Except the weeks where they are from Christian schools.
• I know that my K-12 school competed in high school sports with at least one of the Christian schools who are coming up later this year.
• At camp we have nicknames.
• Mine is Gonzo.
• Gonzo, no matter how many times he tried and failed, he never failed to try again.
• I use the name as a case of bravado to remind the campers that camp is all about overcoming fear and trying new things.
• In reality the name is a reflection of God growing and stretching me in this job.
• That and the little dude just makes me laugh.
• Unrelated to the job: but I am entitled to a rabbit trail every now and then: Gonzo is the Muppet with the most complete character arc in the 25 plus years they have been around. (He is also the only main character from the original Muppet Show still voiced by his original Muppeteer).
• Most of my meals are eaten in the cafeteria.
• I can tell you what day of the week it is based on what is being served for dinner.
• Alliance Redwoods cafeteria is the second best cafeteria I have encountered. (Second only the Green Oak Ranch where there kitchen staff are being trained as gourmet chefs.)
• I still can't believe how great the people are that I work with.
• It is a huge blessing to be working with Christians.
• It is a huge blessing to be working in a place where ministry and work are one in the same.
• It rains 90% of the time.
• It is indescribably beautiful up at camp.
• I am so grateful that I know the Creator who crafted the scenery around me.
• I am even more grateful to be known by the Creator.
• I haven't found a home church (yet) though I have found a small group.