Baptism by Canoe?!?

Shortly after my arrival, the congregation started talking about the "Church Camping Trip." I was told that one of the previous ministers had started this Canoeing/Camping Trip. I was also told that my predecessor had not gone, but that previous ministers in the history of this expedition had. I decided to go, thinking I might get an insight I might not otherwise have.
Here are my writings on the Church Camping/Canoe Trip.

PRE-TRIP:
Well, I am off camping this weekend with the group from the church. I asked “what kind of camping are we talking about?” I am not really into ‘roughing it’ in tents, etc. My Girl Scouting days are LONG over! They assured me it was civilized; that we have cabins and indoor bathrooms.

Then they brought up bathing suits; “You know we go canoeing!” WE WHO???? “You are supposed to bless our trip.”

I told them “I can bless the trip from shore! Canoes tip over too easily, and I don’t swim!” “Oh,” they said, “You must wear a life jacket!” Like that is going to help! When I go to my cousin’s down on the lake, I bungee cord myself to the dock and threaten anyone who comes near me or makes waves! But, we shall see. The water is not supposed to be very deep, however, I said that was all a matter of perspective. If I have Nancy Kellond’s height, yes, the water might not be deep, but remember, I am a SHORTIE!!!

I am looking forward to it. It will give me a chance to get to know some of the congregation a little better. We have a Lay Speaker coming in for Sunday worship, and I will have a little service at the lake.

I am leaving the kittens plenty of food and a couple litter boxes, and hopefully, will come home to a house that has not been totally destroyed. They couldn’t totally destroy it, because I haven’t managed to get it totally fixed yet! They are confined to den and kitchen, but that is their usual space anyway, so it shouldn’t be too bad.

POST TRIP:
I am home from a weekend of white-water canoeing on the White River in Broken Bow, OK. Okay…so I didn’t exactly “shoot the rapids” I DID make it through the shoot…it was just before we went over the rapids that we hit a rock, beached upon that rock and I decided that preaching FROM that rock might not be a bad thing! I could get my sunblock out of the canoe and just sit there!

But, obviously, I am writing this so I am OFF the rock. I was helped through the fast flowing waters to shore, where I walked, yes WALKED around the rapids and rejoined my canoeing partner for the rest of the 4 mile trip. Once the heart slowed down to a more natural rate, I was able to enjoy the scenery and trip. Later that evening I took another boat ride (a ten passenger boat!) around a beautiful lake in Hoachie Town, OK(Long story on the town’s name!) It was wonderful, the boat didn’t rock and I didn’t have to paddle! I was a little sore in the shoulders last night, but am back to 100% today.

We had a great time, and the group told me I could stay on as pastor! I didn’t take my camera so there are NO Pics! Sorry ‘bout that, but I can give you names/numbers if you want verification!

I returned home to 2 very happy kitties and we are all sitting here now, snuggled together as I type this!

I also got some good sermon stories this weekend! The group told me that is one thing they knew would happen! We have one little boy (almost three-he didn’t go canoeing!) who insists on calling me ‘newpastor’ He will say, “Mawmaw, can I go listen to newpastors radio (my Ipod!)” Or Mawmaw, is the newpastor going on the boat too?” Maybe one day, I will no longer be “newpastor” I think perhaps this weekend has begun that for me!