Things I learned at Band Camp

A couple of weekends ago I had the privilege of chaperoning our middle school Symphonic Band camp down near Birmingham. I’ve been thinking since then that I wanted to post some pictures and tell some stories about that – it really was a fun weekend… but things have been SO busy lately that I haven’t had much time for blogging – I’m hoping that as this 3rd week into school comes to an end, things may finally start slowing down a little. One can hope. ;-) But for now, here are a few pictures and some of the things I learned while I was at band camp. :-)

- Campground cockroaches are infinitely larger than normal
- After several hours of practice, brass players lose all feeling in their lips
- Tater tots can, in fact, be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- It really doesn’t help to ‘cool off’ a room by opening a window when it’s 90 degrees outside
- As hard as we try, moms just don’t always ‘get’ what makes a good prank – I still think stealing flip flops and stringing them all up was great, though!
- Persimmons can send you to the Emergency Room… and so can chocolate covered peanuts
- Biscuits should only be reheated one time – on the third day they become rocks
- The second time the ambulance comes, you know you’re going to have some explaining to do
- A spontaneous prayer around the flagpole first thing in the morning can bring you to tears
- Band kids are unbelievably talented and amazing!
- Peach cobbler always tastes better at camp – yum
- 40 girls + muddy canoe trip + 30mins to shower and change = really nasty bathroom cleanup!
- Panty raids are still alive and well, only more sophisticated now
- It’s a little embarrassing when it’s your own kid who keeps violating the lights out/quiet rule!
- No one wants to be awakened by 20 screaming 8th grade girls at 6:00am
- Yes, drums can be played so loud that they shatter windows – wow
- It’s good to make sure the band director has enough caffeine.
- You don’t want to know how many kids can fit into a very large pair of “granny panties”
- You couldn’t pay me enough to do the job of the ‘school nurse’ on a trip like this
- Band moms (and dads) are great people!
- You can survive almost anything with a Walmart just down the road
- God is present everywhere – in a beautiful camp setting, in broken windows, in conversation and prayer at picnic tables, in the fun and games, in the music, around flag poles and in so many hearts – awesome!

Silly friends...

Fun and games...

No comment.... ;-)

Flip Flops!

Beautiful lake...

Quiet moments...

Canoeing...

Silly String attack!

Oh, and.... LOTS of practice!

If you're reading this and it stirs up any fun camp memories for you, please feel free to post a comment and share them!

The Words I Would Say

A couple of days ago I was listening to WAY-FM and heard an interview with, I think, a relatively new band called Sidewalk Prophets. At least I’ve never heard of them before… anyways, they were talking about a song they have just released and gave the background story on it. Basically, the writer of the song was saying that his grandfather had been very ill, and one night he got the call that he really needed to come immediately to see his granddad because they didn’t think he’d live much longer. It was late at night and it was going to be a long drive to get to his granddad. He was tempted to just jump in the car and go, but had a moment where, he says, that a peace about the whole situation came over him and instead, he felt the need to write these words. Now, honestly, if I were in that same situation, I don’t think sitting down to write would be my first inclination – BUT – what he shared next was that he has always liked journaling and that it helps him to get his thoughts onto paper. And a part of that journaling is that he often finds that when he doesn’t know what to say to someone that he needs to talk to, he’ll write them a letter first. Sometimes he shares the letter, sometimes not, depending on the situation. But that is what he was basically doing with his grandfather. This song was what he wanted to be able to say to his grandfather… and the neat thing is that later in the night, he did leave and he was able to be with his granddad just before he died. He shared the words to this song with him and said that he got to sing a couple of worship songs with him and that it was a very special time.

So, I’m sharing the words to the song here because I really liked the story, it’s a beautiful song, and it caught my attention because I like to do the same thing with journaling and writing letters… it helps me a lot to get my thoughts out on paper and to be able to ‘say the words I would say’ – whether or not I ever actually share them with anyone or not.

I looked for the song on YouTube so that I could post it here, but I guess it’s new enough that it isn’t out there yet. I did download it from itunes… but of course, you can’t put an itunes link in here. SO, you just get the lyrics. But the song is worth the $1.29 if you like the lyrics. :-)

**OK --- well, silly me... after I posted this, I finally found the song on myspace... so here's the link: http://www.myspace.com/sidewalkprophets

The Words I Would Say

3:00 in the morning and I’m still awake
So I picked up a pen and a page
And I started writing just what I’d say
If we were face to face
I’d tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths:

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got his hand on you so
Don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget but
Don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Last time we spoke
You said you were hurting
And I felt your pain in my heart
I want to tell you
That I keep on praying
That love will find you where you are
I know cause I’ve already been there
So please hear these simple truths:

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got his hand on you so
Don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget but
Don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

From one simple life to another
I will say come find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got his hand on you so
Don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget but
Don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
Thank God for each day
His love will find a way
These are the words I would say