Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to camp we go.....

Yes, the nephew left for camp today. He was so excited, and nervous, all at the same time. One minute he wanted to hurry up and leave, and the very next he wanted to go home. :-) After encouraging him, telling him how much we loved him, and how much fun he was going to have I have to admit that I had to fight the urge to follow the bus as it pulled out onto the highway. :-) I know, I'm silly. I tried to post a picture of him getting on the bus for ya'll, but blogger wouldn't let me for some reason. When I can I will try again. :-)

One great thing about "modern day" camps, at least this one is that they have a website! :-) They post updates throughout the day letting you know your kids arrived, what they are up to, their daily schedule, and you can even e-mail them! How cool is that?! :-)

After reading about their theme for this week I wish I was there! :-)

For many students, both Christian and not, nearly their entire life is presented as preparation for something else to come. When they’re kids, they can’t really do anything because they’re “just a kid.” They can really do stuff once they get to junior high and in the youth group. But then they’re just in junior high and should wait ‘til high school. But once in high school, they’re not really anything until they’re Seniors. But once they’re Seniors, they should just wait to college, then until they graduate and go to grad school and eventually get a job and then have to find someone to marry and then start a family and plan for retirement and everything else. Everything is about what’s to come. They’re in school to get trained to go until college to get trained for a job. They’re in relationships to realize who it is they want to marry. They’re getting jobs to train them to have a good work ethic. They’re in church so they can learn to do things right so that they might be good Christians one day.This constant preparation for the future exists in tension with the guilt and shame that they also feel about their past. Mistakes made some time ago can still hold a firm grip on a student’s life so that they feel trapped, unworthy and unable to live in the freedom that God has promised them through Jesus Christ. Both the trappings of the past and the pressures of the future often render our students paralyzed.In actuality, once they gain a proper understanding of their identity in Christ, they realize that God is at work right now and is calling them to live a life in relationship and on mission with Him right here and right now. This isn’t practice. This isn’t rehearsal. This is it.This is something that people have always needed to be reminded of. Moses and Joshua called the children of Israel to make decisions “today” about whether or not they would follow God. The prophets called people to repentance and action “today.” Mordecai challenged Esther about who knew whether or not she had come to be queen “for such a time as this.” It is perhaps not evidenced any greater than in the response of the disciples to Jesus’ call to “Come. Follow me.” They immediately left their nets, boats, tables and families to follow the Christ. God is calling us, all of us - young and old, child, youth and adult to life in and with Him. We have to choose whether or not we are going to live that life… here and now.

Love,
Wendy Darling

Wal Mart Sucks! .... and other thoughts for the day....

Can I say that in a blog? Will I be sued for slander? I. Don't. Care. I know I am not the only one who believes that since Mr. Sam died Wal Mart no longer cares about the customer. At least the one in my town doesn't. We have actually boycotted Wal Mart in the past, and the only reason it stopped was because the gas prices went too high to continue the 25 mile trek to the nearest town where we would actually have CHOICES in grocery stores.

They rarely smile and greet you. Most of the cashiers barely look at you, much less say anything to you beyond the total of your purchase. Not even a "Thank you for shopping Wal Mart." When you do have a question about a product or something you can never find anyone to help you, and if you do find someone they don't know anything anyway. Today my sister called, because the camera my nephew got for Christmas is no longer working. All we wanted to do was exchange it, not get money back. She spoke to 2 people. The first was rude and then hung up on her, the second was VERY rude and she hung up on them. What ever happened to the Customer is always right? Poor Sam must be rolling over in his grave! When, Oh When are we going to get some competition in this town?!

OK, off my tangent. Today is Memorial Day. I was reminded of the times when we were little that our Daddy (a Vietnam Vet and member of the VFW) would go place flags on the graves of former soldiers. We would go and help. We didn't really understand it back then, but I am grateful that he gave us that experience. There is nothing more important than thanking a soldier for their service. It is because of them we have the right to speak our minds (such as the above paragraph) and live the way we choose. SO, if you are reading this and you are a veteran, "THANK YOU!"

I am going to spend a couple of days with my sister later this week. The nephew will be attending his first Children's Camp. He is excited, but I can tell he is also nervous. Dear Sister and her husband were nice enough to invite me to stay with them for a couple days, so I could have a break as well. I have to say I am really looking forward to it. :-) I could use a couple of days away. :-)

I need some extra prayers from you out there. I have about decided to change churches. I have been thinking about it for awhile, but I wanted to make sure that if I stayed or left it was because it was what God wanted, not because of what I wanted. I am pretty sure I received my answer today. I have a paid position in the church, so if I leave I will need to resign, speak to my pastor personally, and then leave. I REALLY like my pastor and most everyone at the church, but I really feel the call to leave as well. It is difficult, because I don't want any hard feelings. I don't feel there will be, but you never know. And switching churches and then having to find where you can be of service is scary as well. Thankfully, I already have several friends in the church I will be switching to, so that helps. :-)

I have, finally, signed up for the Wilton Cake Decorating class. I begin June 5th. I am excited. :-) I am glad I will finally be able to learn how to do these cakes correctly. :-)

Well, I think that pretty much catches you up with things about me. See you next time. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Dear Peter,

Well, how to begin. I have loved writing letters to you, and being able to share my feelings, etc. But, we all have to grow up sometime. Yes, even you, Peter. So, I have decided to do away with this "blog" to you. I am going to "revamp" it and make it my own.

For the others reading this "letter" No, I am not going to stop blogging. I am just going to do away with the "Peter/Wendy theme" and make it more "ME". :-)

So, I will say good bye, Peter. It was fun, but growing up can be fun too, as well as exciting. :-) Please, hug all of the Lost Boys for me. :-)

Love and Goodbye,
Wendy Darling