Beth Tephila Retreat

We're exhausted but happy that the Beth Tephila summer retreat at our home this week-end appeared to be successful. Around 20 folks attended both Friday & today. We all enjoyed the BBQ, fellowship, normal BT service, horseshoe contests, etc. Chatting with the Olson family about the current warfare & life in Israel, was a highlight. After visiting relatives & churches who support them, they will return to their home & ministry in Jerusalem mid-August.

We started to catch up on watering our garden & lawn after folks left, but ended up flooding Esther's bedroom. I wish I could say this was the first time we've done that. Unfortunately it's become a habit! Thankfully Esther decided to go camping with her boyfriend & family after her return from Wildhorse Canyon. That gives us about a day to sop up the water & dry out the rug. We are not going to tackle any more projects until we've had a good night's sleep. Thankfully we finished picking the bumper crop of Bing cherries from our two trees the morning before the retreat started. Anyone want some free cherries?

Three good films - Thursday

Here are the three top recommendations for secular films worth seeing from pastors & other staff up at Camp Utmost last week: "Rabbit Proof Fence"
"Second-Hand Lions"
"Holes"

P.S. Here in August, we are renting these DVDs for 49c on Tuesdays. Louis & I laughed through our watching "Second-Hand Lions" & considered it one of the best films we have seen in a long time. The two men reminded us of some friends of ours. Yesterday, after my colonoscopy with the excision of a polyp, Louis rented the "Holes" DVD. I had been battling nausea and several episodes of emesis during the post-procedure period, so this wonderful film provided a great diversion. We can't wait to rent and see the "Rabbit Proof Fence" if it is as good as the other two.

Fire Season has arrived

Often God allows the starting of fires in later summer via lightning strikes in Montana. This year we are seeing the fire season start with a series of man caused fires. Monday I took our Yukon for some repair work in Hamilton. On the way home, I noticed a fire had started on a mountain side West of Victor. That fire is now partly contained. Since about 5 pm yesterday (Tuesday), we have been watching another forest fire NE of our home in the Upper Woodchuck area. It started at about 50 acres, increased to 350 acres last night due to a moderate wind and is now at 500 acres. Only a couple of homes have been burned, although 250 homes were evacuated last night. We have not been called yet. Now this evening, my friend, Janie, who lives close to Bass Creek campground and Larry Creek Canyon, called to say that a fire is raging in the Larry Creek area. Each of these fires was supposedly started by man. Everyone is hoping there is not an actual arsonist, but some careless accidents in a bone-dry environment. Esther called from Wildhorse Canyon Camp in Oregon where she & the Chidwicks are spending a week. It's 112 degrees F. there. They may see some similar fires if the weather continues to super-dry the forests and brush. We are praying & watering our acreage day & night. P.S. Thursday - the Woodchuck fire we are watching from our home has now burned over 700 acres. By the week-end, around 1000 acres was burned.

P.S. It's now August 16th, the Woodchuck fire is long over, PTL! The fire West of Victor still fills the sky with smoke. It's burned about 6000 acres now & is 60% contained. Many new fires in Montana have been started in the last couple of weeks by lightning. Most are now under control. Our weather remains hot & dry most days.

Camp was lively but our computer is dying

Camp Utmost was so fun this past week. Since several of the counselors were going rafting on Sunday afternoon along with RandyTurner, the activities director, I invited myself along. We had a wonderful float down a moderately quiet Blackfoot River with short stretches of rapids about the time we were getting bored. We were checking this stretch for use during the week with the 4th & 5th grade boys. The portion of the Blackfoot normally used had become too shallow with huge rocks sticking out everywhere in the river due to our extended weather in the 90's. We encountered numerous rocks too, but nothing that couldn't be avoided with good paddling. We even found a good swimming hole for the kids about half-way through the rafting course.

Once the 42 lively campers arrived on Monday morning, I had the fortune of "mothering" them until Friday afternoon. Tano and Ben Chidwick never had to visit my nursing station, many others did for splinter removal, cleansing & bandaging of abrasions, sore throats, etc. One asthmatic youngster became ill with the flu on the 3rd day. He spent the day up-chucking. His fever rose as high as 103 degrees F. before his family came to pick him up. Poor kid, he kept moaning that he didn't want to leave yet. He hadn't gotten to the rifle or archery ranges yet! There was a great spirit to the week. The 4th & 5th graders hadn't developed any "attitude" yet. Best of all, several campers came to know the Lord!

While I was at camp, Louis continued to have computer problems. He finally took our computer to "Computer Guys" for a diagnosis. Sigh, sigh... our mother board is dying. It's built in obsolescence. They think we may have a month or so left on our current computer. So, if you don't hear from me for awhile, it may be that I am without a computer.

Bound for Camp Utmost (with my vinegar)

After church tomorrow I will be driving back to Camp Utmost to be the Camp Nurse for the 4th & 5th grade boys' camp. Shortly after my last entry, I spent 3 days as nurse for the 7th graders. Camp nursing is an adventure... sometimes restful, sometimes stressful & tiring, but always interesting as I meet new campers & staff. I pray my way through the days that nothing happens that the Lord & I can not handle in my role. A sprained ankle was the worst that happened during my days with the 7th graders. I was still experimenting with drinking apple cider vinegar drinks to help my joint pain, so I brought the vinegar along. Guess what. It definitely helps arthritic conditions! Upon my return home, I have spent hours weeding in the garden & picking our raspberries. (Wish I could plant & harvest some of those apricot tasting ones Jeannie picked.) Louis & I also relished the preview concerts of the International
Choral Festival which Sherry spoke about in her blog. We treated the concerts as a free date. One of the best we've had so far! Too bad that this festival is held in Missoula only for a few days every three years. The hard seats were not a problem anymore than the gardening. Usually I pay for such activities with aching joints for days... I have slept like a baby and hardly feel a twing of discomfort. The vinegar is already packed in my bags again. I'll be back in a week or so. Then Esther leaves for WildHorse Canyon Camp with the Young Life group from the Bitterroot. PTL!!