It is hard to believe that just one week (ONE WEEK!!!) from today the six whirlwind weeks of the year which we call a “Day Camps Summer” will have begun. I tend to spur myself on at this time of year by listening to clips from the Day Camps Song CD, somehow, listening to the songs helps me to believe that it really is going to happen!! This is not a recording from our CD.. BUT it is the 2012 Theme Song
As I sit here, beginning this Post @ 330 pm, (and boiling up a pot strawberry/pineapple conserve) I can imagine that, at this time next Sunday, our 3 Training Day Camp Team Leaders may well be Chairing the Set-up meetings for their 3 Day Camps.
Last Wednesday I met with those 3 Leaders and we spent several hours wrestling with our 12 Team members’ names trying to build the 3 best, most balanced Teams, who would benefit from Training under those 3 Leaders and in 3, very different types of Churches.
We took time to offer our choices to the Lord and I do feel confident that He is pleased with the final result.
And so next Saturday we will gather for Team Training Day. When I look at what needs to be accomplished this week I must say that I do feel a bit queasy! I think it is better to break things down and only look at one day at a time.:-
Monday- The final Day Camp Committee meeting prior to Day Camps. We will be selecting the Leaders and Members for the 3 Teams which will be flying out West. We REALLY need to let the host churches know the names so that they can take advantage of any seat sales for tickets./ We need to look at some of the final details around the Retreat and try to plug a number of small holes in the schedule/ We need to allocate jobs for Team Training Day AND put our heads together to look at what to do if those 2 most needed Leaders do not materialise.(what a Blessing it is to remember that -“when 2 or 3 are gathered together, the Lord is with them”)
Tuesday- I hope to find a helper and go into the Supply Room to pack the last of the Supplies into the Team Tubs/We also need to pull together the folders which each person receives when they arrive at the Retreat.
Wednesday- God Willing, I plan to finish making all the name tags for the Retreat. Each one includes a Scripture Verse and I need to paint the round metal badges (we recycle them from year to year!) and then write all the names with a special marker. I’m planning on using verses from the Prophets, the ones which speak of Christ’s birth. In the afternoon I will be baking both for Team Training Day and the Retreat.
Thursday-I plan to shop for the snack and lunch foods for Team Training Day and hope to prepare some menu items as well.
Friday- The first Team Members arrive from Edmonton.!!! I have arranged for a faithful Day Camp helper to meet the flight and billet them overnight.
If we can have access to the Hall @ Isaiah 40, I’m hoping to co-opt a few helpers and do the physical set-up for ….
Saturday-TEAM TRAINING DAY-
Of course EVERY morning I shall be glued to this laptop, still hunting for Team, still looking for those 4 elusive host-churches, still badgering etc…
Last evening, after hammering out a number of emails with my nose to the screen, I took a quick stretch break and looked up into the canopy of giant maple trees and the blue of the evening sky and thought, as I often do at this time of year..” I must NOT miss June!!’
This is surely the most lovely month of the year and I spend so much time looking “down” instead of “up”.“What is so Rare as a Day in June?”
So, despite of all the seemingly insurmountable difficulties of the coming week, I plan to resolutely keep “looking up”!!
I may be throwing in an extra quick Post if there is any earth-shattering news as a result of our meeting tomorrow, or post an extra mid-week update, after all this is cruncher time.
Since the Gazpacho lunch I served proved to be pretty popular at church today, here is the recipe,perfect for a hot June day!
- 1 28oz. can diced plum tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 slice wholegrain bread
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 2 spring onions, coarsely chopped
- 1 4″ piece English cucumber OR zucchini, diced
- 1 whole dried chilli
- 2 Tbsps. red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsps. olive oil
Dip the slice of bread, briefly ,in a bowl of cold water. Squeeze out excess water and place pieces in the bowl of a food processor, add all other ingredients. Puree until smooth.Transfer to a large serving bowl and chill for at least 30mins.
To Serve-
- chopped green peppers
- chopped cucumber or zucchini
- shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh cintro
- fresh tomatoes,chopped
Arrange toppings in small bowls. Serve Gazpacho accompanied with toppings and blue corn chips
Serves 4-6, easily multiplied 😊