I'm beginning this blog post with a "sigh." It's been an emotional few weeks. A few weeks ago, I closed out my 26th year as an AWANA leader. I love my 3rd and 4th grade group, and all but 2 of them are moving on up to the 5th and 6th grade group. Yesterday, I said good-bye to my kiddos at the school with teary eyes as I ended my 13th year in the district. What's hard to take is that I know that some of these kids may not be back, and I won't see them again. Even those kids who gave us a run for our money, I will miss them as well. There are some staff members who are leaving us, and that's always tough to deal with. I have worked closely with some of these staff, and their absence will be keenly felt in the next school year. Finally, I also bade farewell to my Boys & Girls club kids yesterday. I will still be able to see some of them as I work there this Summer, but many of them take their Summers off, or will be in a different B&G club facility. It's tough to say good-bye. Especially for me, because I tend to get attached too easily. I have to say that off all the titles I carry with me, I'm especially proud of being called "Mr. Rob" or "Mr. Rue." I'm not talking about when a telemarketer or other individual calls me Mr. Rue, I'm talking about those little folks who address you with affection, who need a shoe tied, need a hug, or who get stuck on the monkey bars and panic, needing help down. Yes, these are special kids, and I hope they understand how much I care about them, and being their Mr. Rue or Mr. Rob. I am so ready for a fun and action-packed Summer, but my thoughts will be with those kids whom I will not see until August. They are the reason I get up each morning.
With Summer's onset, another issue becomes prevalant. Finances. My financial picture takes a sharp blow in the summertime. Much of that is attributed to the fact that I will be out most of the Summer. I am taking a group of my church kids to Junior camp in June, some Junior Highers to camp in July, and then a Mission trip to Mexico in July. I don't get paid to do these weeks, and thus, things get tight. However, I have learned over the years that God does provide. Going on these Summer adventured is God-called for me, and I really don't think that God would send me on these trips and then not provide. I am on the lookout for opportunities to earn a little extra income, and hope for sunny weather so that I can get a lot of hours at the Fun Valley/Hobart Detter/Rice park concession stands. The fact is, God will take care of me. In the coming weeks, I'll be excited to tell you how God is providing.
In gardening news, so far, so good. It looks like all 9 of my tomato plants are doing well. If that trend continues, I will have many tomatoes to give away later this Summer or in the early Fall. You, my blog readers, will be the first to know when to come and get them. I love to give away my tomatoes, and keeping tuned to this spot will keep you supplied. One of the fringe benefits of being a loyal reader! :-) We have had an abundance of rain these past few weeks, so I've not had to run the sprinkler much this season. It saves on the water bill when God waters, right? My radishes are coming along, and I noticed that my sunflowers and corn are starting to come up. My vining plants (pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew) are looking good as well. Now, the main goal is to keep the local wildlife out of it! Rabbits, squirrels, and other various vermin like to invade. I have mothballs strategically placed around the perimeter of my garden, and I'm hoping that will repel them. I also had a mole or a gopher last year, and it caused a lot of problems for me. I'm praying for a bountiful harvest this year.
As I type this, I am enjoying the first Friday off I have had since Christmas. I plan to relax and lay low, and avoid....the dreaded "Memorial Day Curse!" I feel the back story may be in order. It seems that almost every Memorial Day has held problems for us. For instance, a number of years ago, I had to take my oldest son to the ER in the night with severe abdominal cramps. After running some tests, we discovered he had large kidney stones! I might add that he loved energy drinks, which the doc called "kidney stones in a can." My son had to be hospitalized for pain management and stone-breaking procedures. He was in for about 2 days before he passed enough stones to be able to go home to pass the rest. Needless to say, he swore off of the energy drinks and switched to drinking more milk and water. A couple of years later, I broke my ankle playing laser tag the Friday before Memorial Day. That same weekend, as my son (the same one as before) was getting out of a friend's car, the driver's foot slipped off of the pedal, and the tire rolled into my son's foot, gouging several large holes into his foot. He was in so much pain. He spent the entire summer laid up, not able to go swimming. I felt so bad for him. Finally, 4 years ago, as I was walking through my house (on Memorial Day, of course) I slipped and fell, breaking and dislocating my knee. The worst pain I have ever endured in my life! I spent the entire Summer in a leg/knee brace, and the first 2 weeks totally laid up. If it were not for good people coming by to bring me food, help me out, mow my yard, etc, I may not have made it. This weekend, I am going out of town. I am praying a hedge of protection around myself, and being extra careful. You would too, if you were me! :-) That's the story of the "Memorial Day Curse." I hope that your holiday holds better than what mine have held in the past.
I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this today. I pray for God's blessings upon you. Have a wonderful day!
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