Future Love Triangle

All my Brunk cousins are together at camp this week so Heather, Emma and Julia met up with me, Atira and Tell at the Gardiner Plaza to carpool up to see them, as well as several friends. During the quiet of rest hour, Tell, Julia and Timmy were finding ways to amuse themselves with a rubber kickball and some hula hoops while Annah, Heather, Sue and I chatted.





Annah and I always joke about a future love triangle in the family because both Timmy and Tell have eyes for Julia. Timmy is very vocal about his affection but Tell keeps it all under wraps. Back at the Gardiner Plaza parking lot, after the Pendletons departed, this was the conversation between Tell and I:

Tell: "Well, THAT was nice to see
the Pendletons."

Me: "Yes, it was. (with a knowing
grin) So, which Pendleton
did you enjoy seeing the
most?"
(Silence)
"I know. It was Mrs.
Pendleton, wasn't it?"

Tell: (shakes his head)

Me: "It must be Emma then. She
was the Pendleton you
enjoyed seeing the most."

Tell: "No"

Me: "Oooh, I know....you enjoyed
seeing JULIA the most,
didn't you?"

Tell: (Looking straight ahead )
"I'm NOT talking about that."





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Flynn and Diva

Jim has a very generous heart and many times that results in him inviting people, whether friends or strangers, to the house without consulting me first. I've learned to roll with it and as a result have enjoyed the company of many interesting people over the years. This was definitely the case on Sunday. Jim, Atira and Tell came early with me to worship team practice because the truck was headed up to camp with Jubal at the wheel and Nolan riding shotgun. Just outside the door we encountered Sandy talking to a man with a beautiful rusty-haired dog. Nearby was a bike with a trailer hitched to it. The man's name was Flynn Donoho and his companion was Diva. We learned that he has been riding through the 48 contiguous states raising awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. While we practiced, Jim conversed and it was not a shock when, at the end of the morning service, Jim told me that he had invited Flynn to the house for a hot shower and lunch. It was a pleasure to hear how he came to salvation 7 years ago through the reading of a Bible that had been left by someone, along with some food, in a plastic bag in his home state of California. The afternoon became evening and over pizza we heard more about his three years of travels while two loads of his laundry tumbled in the washer and dryer. He carries a map with him and has highlighted all the roads that have carried him to all but three of the lower 48 states. Maine was the most recent state to knock off the list with Vermont next in line. After that, only two northwestern states remain untouched. Listening to all the ways that God had abundantly provided for him, exactly when it was needed, using ordinary people and churches all over the United States was a blessing and a tribute to the Lord's faithfulness in providing for the needs of His own. By morning, it was not a stranger, but two new friends, one furry and one not, that we fed and sent down our driveway toward Vermont.








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Since 1948

While visiting my grandparents in Buxton today, I noticed a romantic notice posted by Papa on the door frame of their kitchen. The longevity and sincerity of their love has always been a sweet thing to behold.









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Third Time Is The Charm

Well, it's a happy day in the Gilbert household. Jubal now holds a Maine driver's license. We've been to the DMV four times in an attempt to make this happen. It was getting a little old. (One of those times I didn't realize the car's inspection had lapsed and he never even had a chance to take the test...ugh!) I told Jubal afterward that if he hadn't passed this time, I would begin to wonder if his instructor's name was Mrs. Puff. (If you've never watched Spongebob, then you have no idea what that last sentence was about.)





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Trampoline For Two

Jim called me out to the yard this evening just as twilight set in. We found a comfy spot in the middle of the trampoline and looked up at the last of the fading light illuminating the sky between the trees. All was quiet except for the cool breeze rustling the swaying branches of the oaks and pines above us and the distant sound of Route 1 traffic. Atira found us after 15 minutes so that was the end of our solitude but I'm so thankful for our little plot of peacefulness here on Ledgewood Drive.






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Dr. Zappia Would Be Proud

Atira has her next retainer check up soon. At that visit, I'll have to relay the content of Nolan's recent dream to our dentist Dr. Zappia and his assistant Alice:

"Mom, I had a dream that I was brushing my teeth, and when I woke up, there was spit all over my pillow."

Thank you, Nolan. Thank you SO much for sharing that.


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Camp Firsts

Since I'm stuck in Waldoboro for a couple hours while Jubal has soccer practice, I'll put the time to good use and wrap up my week at Camp Good News.

It was a week of firsts for many. Even my very first junior counselor Heather Q., that I had in Mapleton in '81, was there serving as camp nurse.




Jubal served as a first-time Senior Counselor in the Cheyenne Cabin with Caleb Pendleton as his Jr. Counselor. I was very proud of the way they conducted themselves. They were naturals, working well as a team and giving their campers a great week.

Along with Caleb, this was Nolan's first year as a J.C., although he already had one week under his belt since he worked the week before as well. I know he has enjoyed it because, even though he has to miss Karate, he didn't bat an eye when they asked if he could work Week 5 also. Of course, Heather and I had to take our annual photo of the pair, a tradition we've maintained since their infancy.



We had some first time campers among our kids this year, Julia Pendleton, my niece Allie and Tell, which meant it was my first year since '94 that I was kidless at camp. I like it.







Camp duties are always subject to change so it wasn't a surprise when Dad asked if I would lead the songs during chapel times in addition to team teaching the Bible lessons with Heather. This was a new experience for me but it was a short learning curve thanks to over 30 years of CGN singing and watching Melanie Mulherin lead. There was only one song that I didn't know, not a bad percentage. To remedy that, I recorded Eliza singing it and listened over and over.....Problem solved. The only part of the job that I felt nervous about was making sure I did justice to the role of Echo's interpreter. For me, that job will really only ever belong to Melanie and no one could compare.




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