One Very Full Week!

Can you find me in the picture? 29 of us just got back yesterday from my very first Youth Camp. I went as a chaperone and I can quickly say, it was an Energetic, Emotional, Extraordinary, Exciting Experience! It was so Ephenomenal (the "e" is silent when it is placed in front of a "ph" that sounds like an "f"), that I would be very willing to chaperone again in future years.

I am super exhausted, but am truly amazed at the resilience and stamina that sustained me (by the grace of God) till I got home yesterday afternoon. Many people don't realize that camps, whether they be Kids or Youth, are a non-stop event where, as a chaperone, you must be going, going, going, from sun up till 1:30 or 2:00 in the morning--every single day there! There are services, which cause you to stay attentive and respond, games that are highly physical and interactive, over which I nearly lost my voice due to the constant cheering, meals and snack times over which heartfeld discussions are held about the services and games and the kids lives, and there's Bible Quizzing and study time for Bible Quizzing and there's devotions which set the tone for what God is doing in all our lives.

Our theme this week was E3:

• Expect great things from God
• Examine your heart before God
• Excel in what God's calling you to do

Our speakers were so energetic and full of excellent examples to put us all in sync with the Word of God and to challenge us to dig deep and live bigger!

Two young men from Chosen, the Youth Band that led the worship this week, were assigned to dorm with our boys and they were an incredible blessing to all of us.

Pastor Ben was instrumental in assisting the Games Director with a diverse bunch of group games that truly bonded our group like never before, and challenged us to excel like never before. Watching our teens pull together and having the great privilege of being a part of them through this experience is one of my most favorite memories. At camp, all kids and chaperones are placed in teams and throughout the week, all teams compete to win the most number of points. The grand prize for placing #1 this year, was a midnight run to Sheetz (which is a great 24-hour snack shop in Carlisle offering all sorts of items including the biggest assortment of gum packs I've ever seen in one place). Our team won First Place. But for me, the path for first place was the big thing. Getting to work hard with all the kids to accomplish this was extremely personally rewarding. I could have skipped the midnight run, but it was part of the experience--after all, it's not everyday one gets to ride in a Valley Forge college van with a very funny van driver.

Another fabulous experience was seeing our teens fully participating in daily worship and completely in tune with the speakers' messages. Every single teen responded to various altar calls and I believe, all have received a special word of encouragement from God the Father. What a privilege to pray with them and watch their sincerity of heart!

Ms Sherrie, my co-chaperone for the girls, did an awesome job as group photographer and I can't wait to see her complete compilation once I get her my zipped file.

This post is very long, and I have more to share, but I will do so on subsequent entries. I will be in fast track mode these next 2 weeks since VBS starts July 9th.

Fathers Day thoughts

Well

It is just about here-Fathers Day

And I just returned from visiting my father and mother in Massachusetts-oh how I hate that drive. It is just about all white knuckle driving with no breaks from traffic or congestion- there is never a chance to relax on the ride.

But it is always worth it to see my parents, my Mom is 86 and has been hospitalized with lung problems for more than a year. And my Dad who turned 94 in March is a real trooper. He misses my Mom not being home and he himself just came home last week from a hospital stay and nursing home stay after having fallen at home alone. It was great to see them and especially to spend time with my Dad. You see, now that I have been around for more than an half century I realize that I am my father's son. He has impacted who I have become. All of the good traits that he has have become mine and then anything that needed improvement has been handed to me by my Heavenly Father.

Anyways- my Dad has always been a hard worker and a good provider, loving his wife and his kids unconditionally, expecting very little in return. Born of immigrant parents from Italy he has done quite well. The photo above is from about 40 years ago when he had his own trash business. After he sold that he drove a truck for a local company retiring at around age 79 due to not being able to pass his drivers license eye exam. He then worked an inside job for another company retiring a second time at age 89.

Oh well- here's hoping the good genes have been handed down to yours truly.

Happy Fathers Day to all.

Pastor P

Transformation is Key

Two weeks ago, Ms. Margo and I began to radically transform the boring white walls of the Junior Kidz Church room, into a colorful and vibrant collection of pallets that will warm the heart of all who enter. What a complete joy it has been to plan and undertake this project, just in time for our super refreshing Waterworks Park Vacation Bible School, and the brand new Junior Church curriculum that emphasizes Gods love towards His creation, which Margo began last month.

The transformation that I've experienced in my life since accepting the Lord back in 1982, has been life changing. I know that it is because of my obedience to His call on my life, that I serve here at Praise with complete devotion and joy. As I enter into the busiest time of year, it would be easy to start to resent the many, many hours I put in here. Or the fact that there is so much to do just to get ready for one week of VBS, and most of the stuff has to be handled by me. I could really start to wish I had "teachers hours" and could take time off all summer to hang by the pool with my kids and friends. But I am instead so hungry for more of God, that it propels me to do more and more, even when I get home!!!

A life-changing transformation is my heart's desire for our kids. I have a passion to see a manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our kids; so we can collectively make an impact in our homes, our neighborhoods, our schools for Christ. One way to start that, is from the ground up, with a radical external change to the physical layout of one of our youngest groups. I will keep you all posted on the progress. I am expecting great things because we serve a great God!

Summer Time

Summer is here and though we do a lot during the other months, this time of year is especially full. I love it though. My two boys are playing baseball and having good years. Some days I live at the fields, but it's good for my tan and I love meeting and talking to people outside the church setting. Alexa starts gymnastics real soon and is as excited as can be. Elena looks like she might be ready to crawl across the room any day now. We have Youth camp in a couple of weeks. I am excited about that. We have 28 people going and God always does incredible things during camp. After that it's home for a couple of days and then off to Mexico for a missions trip with a great team of 17 people (12 teens). I couldn't do all this stuff if I didn't have a great wife who helps keeps everything straight and helps more than I could ever thank her enough for.
PB

Home from Spain/Portugal

Can you believe this? Spain is so much into Ham that there is even a chain of deli style restaurants called Museo de Jamon. All kinds of hams that are hand sliced paper thin and some that cost up to 98 euros per kilo- or about $70 per pound. Look at this photo of all the hams hanging in the store.

I had a blast- ate well, slept in remarkable accomodations, preached in the General Superintendent's church on the Sunday that I was there. God is doing some great things in Madrid and the surrounding area.

We did not have any believing contacts in Lisbon but we saw so much history and again enjoyed the food. You know that you have had a good vacation when it feels like you have been gone for a month. Good to be home and ready to put on the yoke again.