Rainy Days and Mondays

Some of you might remember that old song by The Carpenters… in my youth I certainly related to the lyrics “Hangin around, Nothin to do but frown, Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” but a lifetime of Great Day training has really cured me of that attitude.

I awoke this morning to the sound of rain gently falling on the roof with a sense of delight. Rainy days are actually a ton of fun at camp, I hope it rains all day!

The “weather dog” (when I look at the weather forecast I always act like my dog told me what was going to happen… stupid, I know, but the girls like it) says that we will have an overcast day with highs in the low 80’s and occasional showers. If it does rain, we will be fine! Rain does not really impact our schedule at camp. Life goes on, rain or shine… we just play harder in the puddles! The most enthusiastic of the rain activities is Tennis, who take the opportunity to play “Ultimate Foam”. Fantastic Fun!!!

Last night’s concert was moved to the pavilion because of a passing rain shower that hit at exactly the wrong time. Interestingly, the last time Jillian played for us the exact same thing happened! What are the chances!!! As it turned out, her laid back acoustic songs were ideally suited to the intimate feeling of the pavilion. Girls leaned against each other, braided hair, held hands, and sang along as Jillian performed a mix of her old and new songs. It was delightful. She played again today at our Morning Assembly, the highlight of her talk was the “engagement story” (she was married last year, the girls wanted to hear every detail). It was a hit… Jillian even teared up talking about it! Ask your daughter about it and she will know every detail!

One of the side benefits of rain (besides the comfortable temperature) is the mist that hangs on the mountains that surround camp. The view across the pagent court is divine… like something from a movie. The very definition of a “postcard” location. I can’t stop looking at the wispy clouds that hang on the mountain valleys on these days. “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills” indeed!

Tonight we will have our second annual “Dance Marathon”… last year we “Danced for Ducks” (for every camper and counselor who danced the whole night we gave $5 to the Samaritan’s Purse program to buy ducks for impoverished third world families). We purchased hundreds of ducks!!! The girls loved it. This year we will be Dancing for Goats!!! Each cabin will “earn” a goat for a family… A GOAT!!! It is so good… goats give a family a liter of milk every day (excellent nutrition and source of income) and they have babies (to sell or add to the herd). In addition, goats are very easy to keep and do not need supplemental feed in most situations… truly the gift that keeps giving. We will give about 60 families a blessing that will bring much joy. A real win-win.

Abundant Living. That is what it feels like… rain or shine, our hearts are full and life is good. Camp is a wonderful place.

Thank you for making it possible.

Jimboy