My boys went to a local church’s camp this week with a few other children… ok with a thousand other children. They are exhausted, hot, and whiny now but had a great time. I was exhausted and hot just dropping them off and picking them up and I had a 3 hour break in between. Being someone who’s usually running things or volunteering it was nice to just drop them off and leave. I smiled and waved and said hi to my friends who were “working” the camp and as I left I thought, “I’m soooo glad that’s not me!” (Did I mention it was like 100 degrees everyday and the majority of the time they were outside?)
And that’s what impressed me – I know all the leaders were hot, sweaty and probably would rather be inside in the air conditioning, but they were outside greeting my kids with smiles. When I picked them up, even though they probably wanted to get the kids out of there and get in their air-conditioned cars they took the time to tell me great things about my kids. My son with asperger’s, complains a lot and is not always a “joiner” and often gives adults a tough time, so it’s really easy for adults to tell me all the trouble he caused without telling me anything positive. But that was not the case with his team leader. I’m getting teary eyed now thinking of the great things she took the time to tell me.
But even more than the adults working with the kids, what impressed me was all the men who probably took off of work to stand in the heat directing the 500+ minivans pulling into the church and getting them all parked and then getting them all out of there. I’m thinking that probably the last thing most people would consider taking a vacation day from work for would be to stand outside in 100 degree weather with the sun beating down on you and directing cars to a camp. At least when you are working with the kids you get to join in on the activities and get the reward of seeing them have a great time. But these men (and women) did it and they all had smiles on their faces… they were dripping with sweat… but they were smiling.
So, all of you CCV volunteers, thank you for your sacrifice this week. My kids and I appreciate it. Your actions and attitudes showed Christ’s love probably more than anything that was said from the stage. (Although I heard that was awesome too!)
Becky,
I checked in over there this morning to see my wife and kids along with all the other kids and volunteers. It was indeed hot, but it sure seemed like everyone was having a blast.
Great post!
My son had an amazing time at CCV today too! The staff were great, everyone was happy and smiling in this heat, and my son still hasn’t stopped talking about all the fun he had. I love my church! Thanks to everyone at CCV for a wonderful 3 days.
I don’t want to ruin such a great post with a negative comment, however I too have a son with special needs, and it saddened me to see the words, “Imperfect child #1, my son with asperger’s”… I pray God will allow you to see your son’s diagnosis of Asperger’s not as an “imperfection” but just a part of him.
Sue – Karen’s right, the focus of my entire blog is that we are all imperfect and I tend to refer to my 3 sons as Imperfect Son #1, Imperfect Son #2 and Imperfect Son #3. In response to your comment, I just edited it out of this post and changed it to “My son with…” because I could totally understand how someone not familiar with my blog could see that. And you are absolutely right, the Asperger’s is not his imperfection – but just like all of us, he still is “Pressing On” to grow fully into the boy and eventually the man that God has created him to be. Thank you for your thoughtful comments!
I have to comment on the previous comment. The title imperfect child was only meant as we are all imperfect as the previous blog statements have all referred to. Becki is Not one to say that the aspergers is an imperfection in any way just a difference. I too have a child with differences. He is an imperfect child as well and so am I. Nice blog Becki 🙂
I didn’t read any posts other than this one… my apologies as I wasn’t meaning to offend anyone; it just struck me as odd. 🙂
No need to apologize… I agree it would have struck me as odd too if I was unfamiliar with the blog 🙂
As one of “Those guys” (and not to exclude the ladies) that were working with the logistics and security team, I just like to say (given this was my first year volunteering) That I certainly appreciate your comments. Yes, it was hot, very hot and beyond the traffic, we ran water, watched the kids, set up and tore down and I would say it was a challenge… But I don’t think I heard a single volunteer complain about it even in the slightest, this was a terrific team to work with but none of it would have worked at all without the cooperation of the parents and the kids… CCV has an amazing group of members and I’m proud and honored to have been out there today so your kids and mine could have a blast in this heat. Thank you, many parents walked past me this morning with nothing less than a smile and a “good morning” even after the tremendous line of cars, long walk to registration, and just as you’d almost be able to drop of your kids and head back to the car, I’d be right there to ask you to wait for one more car to pass before you could cross the lane. Thank you all for you cooperation. Several parents even drove up offering cold water…On behalf of the team, Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was a real pleasure. 🙂
It was a pleasure being with the kids and watching them handle the heat, the games, interacting with other and most all being involved with them during worship! The singing, smiles, clapping, cheering warmed my heart. Oh let us all be like the little children as Christ opens His welcoming arms to all of us!
As one of the volunteers, I thank you for your comments! This my 3rd year as a kids camp volunteer, and it is the best thing ever; especially since my daughter has also volunteered for that same time period.
It feels good to be a goofy grownup with the kids, and reminds me that we grownup need a break from the everyday life we’ve accepted as the norm. Kids need to see us in that way so they don’t become uptight adults taking part inthe ray race of life. There is no better way I could have spent those 3 days. The kids had a blast and the brought continuous smiles to this mom’s face.
Yes, it was hot, but none of my children, or I complained about it. It is all about them, and all of the kids in attendance got that. Plus, it was great pleasure to serve w/ so many people, who like me, could have done other things, but chose to dedicate our time to the children…our future. I feel, though, for the man in the gorilla suit…he never complained either! Our main goal was to show God’s love to those children and their families…I’m happy to know that we succeeded in that:).