Only at Sand Creek on a Thankful Thursday!

We started at 8:00 a.m. yesterday with a family reunion zipping.  The first one to go was a grandson after my own heart!  He was a bit older and not afraid so I asked him if he wanted to freak out his family.  Of course, he did!  With our new platform, if you jump on the launching pad, the whole platform rocks - and it rocks well!  We jumped three times and got around thirty people to scream!  Not bad . . . 

After they left, it was time for "rescue practice on the high ropes".  Yup, I was "on belay" and jumping like a maniac to get all 100 pounds of Nicole up and off the line.  I don't know what I'm going to do for a "big boy", but I got the "hang" of it!  Let's hope adrenaline kicks in . . . 

After lunch, it was time to check the first aid kits.  We were laughing as we read the expiration dates on some of the stuff - 2017 wasn't nearly as bad as 2013!  Whoops!  Time to get some new stuff . . . 

Then we had the afternoon rush.  It turns out that all the roads in the west metro are either under water or under construction - or so we've been told.  People were late, people were lost, people were added, people were fun - and all of a sudden, it was 6:15!  Never mind that I was off at 5:15.  I got in the final zip with a mum and her two daughters who left a generous tip to make up for the day before . . . because good things only happen at Sand Creek! 

Only at Sand Creek - Wednesday!

Wednesday morning I had a group from Boston Scientific out in the low ropes course.  We had a blast!  They worked well together, did a couple of elements in the high ropes and then went zipping.  We finished up a bit late and I was asked if I could stay and launch the next group of zippers that had come in.  I was in no hurry to go home (see "Thankful Thursday!"), so stay I did!

They were a riot!  From the mom who came out to take pictures on the wrong side of the safety line to the kids from England - we had a jolly good time!  Unfortunately, not a single tip the whole day . . . 

Only at Sand Creek!

The text came at 6:15 a.m. yesterday morning - "all available staff who can come and help clean up around platform one this morning are welcome."  Fortunately, I didn't find that text until 6:45 a.m.  I pulled in at 8:30 a.m. (I certainly didn't need to rush - I brushed Annie's teeth!) and it was a mad house and a mess and it certainly didn't look like we were going to be open by 10 a.m. for zippers!  

Unfortunately, I was right.  There were some very unhappy, disgruntled people - understandably so, yet regrettably so - refunds were made, we had an early lunch and at noon, I sent the first people off of our new platform one.  Take a peek . . .

Going off of the new platform!

The western view of platform two!

The land that gave way - it looks way better in real life!

The eastern view off the platform!

Our new up-top arrangement designed by yours truly!

 Fortunately, our day ended well.  I got to zip twice, meet a young lady who works at Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, psych out a psychology major, and laugh with a bridal party!

Only at Sand Creek . . .

I saw the four sections for the new platform one today - unfortunately, they were neither in place nor put together.  There is a distinct possibility we may not be open on Saturday for anything but high ropes.  Keep praying! 

Down at the high ropes, I have never in my life seen someone as shaky as the young man we had on the "Charlie Chaplin".  He had all the lines moving and his knees were doing double-time. He had to start over twice, but he made it.

Before he got up there, we had the chance to talk.  He was telling me his favorite place to disc golf was Kenwood Trail Middle School.  Never one to pass up an opportunity, I said, "That's where I go to church!  If you're ever there on a Sunday morning and want to stop in for services before golfing, we start at 10:30."  

Seed planting . . .    

Thankful Thursday - There's More!

When I write a "Thankful Thursday" before Thursday, I'm pretty sure that's the best I've got for the week.  This week, God just chose to heap more Thursday blessings on me . . .

• My first came early this morning at the Y.  As I looked at the lane options, Glenn was my top choice.  He's like in his late 70's, has a crew cut and only swims the sidestroke.  I've known him for years.  I knew could swim with him and come out alive.  Of course, as soon as I popped into the pool, he said he was done.  I said, "Oh, no, Glenn, I told the lifeguards I was swimming with you.  You'll need to do one more lap, or we won't be swimming together."  I took off and sure enough, Glenn did one more lap while I did a couple.  I am thankful for his fun and spontaneity.
• Jan showed up around 6:30 a.m. in a baseball cap.  Two weeks into chemo for breast cancer she lost all her hair.  We talked a bit.  Then I said, "Jan, I don't know where you stand on prayer, but I am praying for you."  I am thankful that I can share that bit of Jesus with her.
• At 11 a.m. this morning, we met with Julie at livingWATERS regarding Micah's grad party (it will be held in their fellowship hall next Saturday).  All I could feel was heaps and heaps of grace given to us, surrounded by love, as they freely shared their space with us.  It was amazing . . . we don't attend church there, but Micah has gone to youth group there for three years.  All I could do is say, "Thank you", and smile.
• Lastly, we found out today that Sam's district has reached a tentative teacher agreement after negotiations yesterday.  It has been a long nasty battle, 356 days without a contract.  Teachers were told to do no unnecessary spending this summer and to look for summer jobs.  We are thankful that rather than a potential strike this fall, there may be a settlement.  Teachers will have to vote, but there is finally hope on the horizon.         

 For this, I am thankful.
 

Thankful Thursday!

Is coming right at you with three more hours left to this Wednesday!  It is with a most thankful heart that I want to tell you what our friends have done . . .

My PMR (polymyalgial rheumatic) is not doing what I want it to do - mainly healing and going far, far away!  So after a long conversation with Sam on Sunday, we decided that I would use "Sign Up Genius" to see if some of our friends would be available to help with Micah's graduation party on June 30.

I cannot tell you how blessed and thankful we are that . . .

• Neighbors Jill (plus one!) and Nancy, along with friend, Cindy, are going to help us decorate the church.  They're all far taller than I am - it's going to be great!
• Dear friends Jana and Heidi have offered to take care of the food the very first hour;
• With long time friends (think early '80's) Julie and Sue taking care of food the second hour;
• Neighbors Nancy and Mary have agreed to taking care of the food the last hour - even after I accused them them of taking that slot so that they could eat all that they wanted and save me from having to bring anything home;
• Friends JP and Rosemary (met JP in 1980!) and Ann and Mike (met Ann in 1982!) are going to stay and help us clean up.

I am feeling beyond blessed and fortunate and NOT at all stressed out!  Indeed, it is a most Thankful Thursday!

"Friends, I believe in you,

Think of you,

And pray for you.

And when another day is through,

I'll still be friends with YOU!"

(Eagle Lake Camp 1985) 

Sharing Mercy . . .

While coming out of the woods with Annie this morning, I ran into our neighbor, Stan.  He said, "You're not on the ship this summer!"  I replied (oh, tell me what was I thinking?), "You're not with your wife this morning!"  Yikes!  That could have really blown up in my face . . .

Fortunately, he was with his daughter, Emily, whom I had not yet met and who just happened to be a nurse.  They let me walk up the hill with them and share stories from the good ship Mercy.  What a pleasant morning!  And maybe someday, Emily . . .