Youth Convention ... Mennonite Assembly ... Columbus, OH .... 2009
(post title was the theme for the week)
I have just completed planning recreation for my fifth convention, first one in Orlando in 1997 followed by St. Louis, Nashville, San Jose, and now Columbus. Believe me when I say that this is no small task. I attempt to fill a gigantic convention hall (50,400 sq.ft. this year)with fun activities for 5,000 jr.high & high school kids, some adults, and a smattering of little kids. I often do a site visit, preferably 1 year prior and then spend the next 12 months planning, making contacts, negotiating contracts for volleyball & basketball courts, ect. So when the event finally is upon me, I have a sense of excitement and exhaustion all at the same time.
Here's the empty Hall F that welcomed us.
Abbi helped with set-up and so did Alli & Kyle.
Having said all this I want you to know that my role in the convention is rather insignificant as it relates to furthering the Kingdom of Christ. There are many more volunteers and paid staff who spend countless hours ensuring that all is running smoothly, and to provide a setting where people can truly invite the Holy Spirit to be a part of their lives and of the week-long gathering.
In relecting on the week, there are "new" things that I
know ...
... I
know that the theme for this years' convention (post title) was God-given just for me! For some reason it really touched my soul as I was planning for the week.
... I
know that I walked many miles this week back & forth from hotel to convention center, that my feet are old and I experienced great pain in them.
Dave caught me taking a catnap in the middle of the noise and excitement.
... I
know that I should've had 24 ping pong tables instead of 9, and 14 four-square courts instead of 6! I also know that four-square balls purchased at "dollar" stores, are truly worth only what you pay for them.
... I
know that my recreation staff was the best there ever was!!!! Thank you and I love you - Dave, Alli, and Kyle!
Dave checking out equipment to some youth.
Youth Convention Part 2 - The trip home
Enjoy the ride ....
Kevin woke us on the last night about 1:30 with a fairly significant rash on his face. He had been pulling weeds in a cemetery as part of the Jr. High Servant Project in the city the previous day.
When we woke up Sunday morning to leave for home, the rash was quite a bit worse, so Dave went to CVS to buy some benadryl and cream for Kevin's face. Then we were on our way!
Several blocks from the hotel we missed "Sally's" (our gps) instructions for a turn and ended up going home cross-country instead of on the interstate, which really didn't seem like a big deal. Dave & I enjoy seeing new parts of the country! At least that's what we tell each other.
To go along with our Chevy Chase -type trip, Dave wore his favorite sunglasses that had broke in Columbus (missing ear thingy) ...
... and his old man socks, which cracked me up and would make his kids proud!
When we neared Rome City we were tired of following pokey holiday travelers, so again we ignored "Sally", made her "recalculate" and ended up on this road .
Four and a half hours after leaving Columbus we arrived home. The swelling in Kevin's face had increased so much that his eyes were just slits in his face and he had developed a double chin, and the rash was making it's way down his arms. That's when we decided he would need an ER visit! Don't worry, we're used to this. By going in we were able to save the hospital the postage of sending us a "time for your annual visit" postcard. :) The wonderful staff gave him a shot of steroids and sent us home with prescriptions for more steroids and some strong anti-itch medicine.
I'm not posting pictures of Kevin because I promised him I wouldn't. He really doesn't look like himself and isn't feeling well at all. He has been laying around and putting ice packs on his face. I feel so bad for him! And the icing on the "birthday" cake is that tomorrow he turns 15!
Poor guy! What a way to have a birthday.
A recent development today is that I took Abbi to Amigo Centre for camp. We hadn't signed her up because we knew we would just be getting home from convention, and she likely wouldn't want to go. Last night about 8:30 she asked if she would still be able to go. So I called this morning, they said to bring her, and by 10:30am she was moved in to her cabin!
I'm sure she is having a great time!
Abbi & Kevin are ready and waiting, happily I might add, for Aunt Julie to show up with her expertise! The chickens in the pen are considered "fancies". These are egg-layers and Abbi will be showing the three pictured here - a Sussex pullet, and a Hamburg cockerel & pullet. I really don't mind these birds. They're clean and pretty to look at. Fancies are not auctioned at the end of the fair. We will bring them home and soon they will be laying us farm-fresh eggs, along with the 6 others that we have in our chicken coop.
Kevin's picking away at the bottom end to make sure it's all clean! And he's loving every minute of it! NOT! These white chickens are the meat pens (roasters and broilers). They will be judged on their size and of course, cleanliness! Both kids will be showing two broilers and one roaster - that is considered a "meat pen". I've already got processing scheduled for the Tuesday following the fair. :) I used to say "butchering" until I was corrected by a fellow Poultry Club member. I guess that is the same as saying "murdering"?
Here's the crew. I'm holding a clean fancy all wrapped up in a fluffly towel. OK, it's actually a towel from my rag drawer, but the chicken seemed comfy anyway!
