Devil's Den

We're getting ready to head out camping again this coming weekend. We're taking the kids up to Devil's Den State Park in northwest Arkansas. Jeffrey and Logan will be meeting us up there Friday night, so it should be a really fun trip.

If you've never been to (or even heard of) Devil's Den State Park, you don't know what you're missing. It's probably my favorite place to camp. I was first introduced to it in high school on one of my wilderness trips, and I've been back many times since. This is probably my 5th or 6th trip up there. So what makes it so cool?

Of course, the mountains are first on my list. Not only because they are beautiful, but because I'm afraid Melissa will torture me if I don't mention them first. I know they aren't as cool and big as the Rockies, but I have to believe that she would prefer any mountains to none.

Second, there is a myriad of hiking trails. One of them evens stretches directly down the center of Lee Creek for a good half mile or more....very cold. Another, The Butterfield, I've never done, but Jeffrey and I plan to give it a whirl on this trip. It's a 15 mile trek into the Ozark Forest.

Third, the caves. Most of the caves at the park are actually covered crevices. They're just cracks in the ground that have a sandstone covering. This makes them really easy to explore because there is only one tunnel, so you can't get lost. There are also the more familiar limestone caves on the property, too. One of them is accessible to the public, and I'm going to try and get at least Jeff and Logan in there this time around. The best part of the caves is that they are completely unfinished; meaning that there is no artificial lighting, handrails, or guides. You take a flashlight and have fun. The last time we were there, Jeff and I were exploring one and saw a few bats sleeping on the ceiling. Pretty cool!

Anyway, we leave early Friday morning to try and get there before lunch. I'll write more and post pics when we return.

VBX Pics

I finally got copies of VBX pics from the photographers. There's a total 1,150, so I cut through that and picked just a few for you to enjoy.

Here's a shot of our worship team:


And here's some shots of the crowd of kids (we even had the balcony full if you can tell that in the second pic):



Here's a shot of me on my "moon buggy" and one of me in one of our dramas:



Besides large group, the kids also had story time and outdoor games. We even rented a big slide on one day for them to enjoy:





And on the day of Leah's birthday, we did a big celebration for our fearless leader. First, we sang "Happy Birthday" and gave her a singing hat:

Then we brought out a cake and flowers, and if you look close you'll see a man in an orange shirt sneaking around behind her:

Next, our children's pastor sprayed her with silly string. The best part of that is that Leah had this great idea to buy him silly string the day before not knowing that we planted that seed with the intent of it being used on her:

Finally, I came out and posed with her:

And we moved the cake to the volunteer snack room:


Later in the week, I introduced Graham to the crowd. He's only been with us for a few months, so not everyone has been able to meet him. I didn't realize that he wanted to speak, so we didn't have a mike for him; that's why he's talking into my cheek. He wasn't trying to kiss me. It's not that kind of church. :)


And then it was all over. This is me driving back out at the end of the week on my "moon buggy."

VBX - Space Camp

Months after planning and writing began, VBX has finally come and gone again. Last week we had 662 kids packed into our church for VBX (Vacation Bible eXtreme - we don't want the kids to have to go to "school" in the summer). Our theme was Space Camp, and I was the Company Commander for the week as well as the 4th and 5th grade teacher. We had a great week with all the kids, and I do have thousands of pictures from various sources, but I haven't had a chance to go through them all and pick some for my post. I figured that you'd rather hear from me now and see pics later.

Most of the kids did traditional VBX stuff (games, crafts, teach, and small group sessions). We opted to handle 4th and 5th grade a little differently, though. They actually built bookshelves for My Friend's House, a local charity for foster children. It was a really cool project for the kids, and they all loved it.

We only had one injury this year: one of our 5 year olds managed to get his thumb wedged into the seat in the sanctuary during a large group session. We have folding seats (like a movie theater) and he got his thumb down near the hinge and got it stuck. His mom actually had to yank it out and then we took them to the emergency room for 9 stitches. I didn't actually see the injury because I was on stage during all of this, but I can only imagine what it would take to put 9 stitches in a 5 year old thumb.

Other than that, we had a ton of fun. I got to drive three wheeler around the sanctuary (which the kids loved, and I enjoyed, too), and I got to get all the kids wound up before sending them off with their leaders. We heard tons of stories of kids helping each other, telling others about what they are learning, and learning to trust Christ. It's probably my favorite week of the year.

Now it's time to start planning for next year. We're thinking of doing a Texas theme (maybe a rodeo or something). I think the other leaders just want to see if I'll ride an electric bull on the stage. :)

Fishing at the Duckworth's

If you haven't been out to the Duckworth pond lately, you are really missing out. They have done a wonderful job of setting things up for family fun. We were fortunate enough to get a chance to take the girls out there this past Friday evening for some fishing, four-wheeling, hot dogs, and s'mores. The girls had a blast! Enjoy photos below.

All four girls got a chance to "drive" the four-wheeler. All we really did was make a little circle around the lake house, but they each thought it was the best thing in the world. Of course, I must admit that on my way back to Uncle Rowland's, the bike died. I couldn't get it go anymore. Uncle Rowland said that it's probably not a big deal; I hope he's right and that I didn't kill the four-wheeler in a single evening.




We all also got a turn fishing from the boat. We even had Logan out there with us for a while. We didn't get a pic of Emma Joi or Sydney in the boat, but they did have a high time floating around the pond. Emma Joi even took her "Taz" pole out with us and caught her purple fish (just a weight) about a hundred times. She casts really well, so she would throw it out, and then when it was about halfway back to the boat, she would say, "I think I got something," or, "ooh, there it is!!" And then she would "fight" the fish into the boat all proud to have caught another purple fish. What fun!






Now, I don't know what Abbie's been up to in the next few pics, but take a close look at her face and I think you'll agree that it was not something she wanted recorded in a picture. :)


And I guess she needed to go to the bathroom, too!


Finally, we did catch a few fish. I caught this little bream that the kids just had to have a picture of, and I caught a little bass that Emma Joi got to reel in and land. Reagan also caught a little bass that we didn't get a picture of and I caught a baby bass out in the middle of the pond that also didn't make the highlight reel.

Closing Ceremonies

Closing ceremonies for the softball league were last Thursday. Reagan's team did not finish high enough to get trophies, and most of her team could not make the event, so her coach declined to have the team participate. Abbie's team all got trophies for participation, and Abbie was super excited that she now has her first trophy. She more than proud of that! Enjoy some pics below.

This is Abbie with some of her teammates. You can see her coach in the background.

Here's another with her coach in a little better pose, but still with closed eyes.

Of course, Emma Joi and Sydney couldn't stand not having their pics taken.

And Sydney had to model her new sunglasses.

Finally, Abbie got her trophy and we were headed off to the pizza party!

Sachse in the Kitchen

What a treat! Reagan and Abbie are quite inventive and creative children. They woke us yesterday announcing the grand opening of "Sachse in the Kitchen." The two of them had cooked up (pun intended) their own little restaurant for the rest of the family complete with a fancy name and menus. I missed out on breakfast because I wasn't hungry, but Leah, Emma Joi, Sydney, and I all got to enjoy lunch together.

Abbie was our server, and she did a great job of bringing us to our table.

Then she took our drink and appetizer orders and served everyone. She did really great and did not spill a single drop.






And our appetizer of sour cream and onion chips was perfectly prepared.

Emma and Sydney really enjoyed the whole deal and begged me to take their pictures at the restaurant.



After we ordered, the chef went to work preparing our meal. We had a great lunch of mac & cheese, sandwiches, and pork & beans with mayo (sounds gross, but it's really tasty).





As soon as our food was complete, Abbie reappeared and served each of us our plates. They did a really great job, and I was very impressed with the inventiveness of their idea.