Today and Tomorrow and that's it!

All I think about is our trip and what it's going to take to get us all there with the necessary comforts of home--- fitting in a Ford Escape.

Jeff is editing his messages and meeting with a mentor/friend, Rich, for input and proofreading the messages he has written out. Jeff is such a talented speaker. He's been doing it forever. Usually his preparation consists of prayer and study, then writing an outline, then transposing it to his palm (yes, his hand). Almost always he goes over it with another person like me, his intern Kyle, or another experienced leader. People in Young Life picked him to speak at these large camps because he is good at it! He knows the stakes are very high and he is taking his job very seriously. He has increased the detail and intensity of his preparation to writing every word that will be delivered. I feel like he is well prepared to speak to 3,000 middle schoolers! I pray for him everyday! I pray that his messages will be clear, that kids will "see" God's love in Jeff as he speaks, that kids will relate to the illustrations used, and that they will move along in their journey to starting a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please join me in praying for this!

Another thing I'm consumed with is thinking of how I will coexist with other families. There are 2 major issues of concern. First of all, how will it be living in a "fish bowl" as we will be "on" most of the time? We will be living in view of campers, high school work crew kids and college summer staff kids, and the other staff wives and families. I have great kids who are usually well behaved. But, everyone, kid or parent, has their moments! How will we do? I guess we will just live! I'll tell you what, I'll be very understanding of the struggles of other mothers around me. It could easily be me dragging a kicking and screaming 2 yr. old out of the dining room!

Another reality facing me is that there are 2 kids and 1 mom in my family! I do have 2 eyes, but luckily they track together. I can see myself stopping to talk to a work crew kid and "losing" Dietrich or even Janna as they wonder off into the pond. I've decided I'm going to let the other mother's know that I'll need their help in making sure my kids are safe, respectful and using manners. You know what they say, "it takes a village to raise a child!"

I'm beginning to prepare Janna for this way of living with 8 or more "mommies." I told her they would be very nice, and that she will need to listen and obey other mommies if they tell her something.

She thought about it and said with enthusiasm, "I'll be the best listener ever!"
I wish she could write her name. I'd have her put this statement in writing