One oh-so-rare day of quite time and a precious gift

A couple of weeks ago, Guibo took the kids and his nephew who was visiting from Berkeley to Six Flags while I stayed behind to start off the school planning.

It was a very hot day. Not long after the gang left, I headed to the library with a backpack with books, calendar, notebook, Bible, and my sandwich lunch and water bottle.  I felt like a student again!  Although only the high level planning was accomplished, I had thoroughly enjoyed my day of quite time praying and planning in the library.

What made that day even more wonderful was a small gift from my son. Daniel handed it to me before dinner and said, "Mom, it's for you. I bought it with my money." The price tag said $5.99. But to me, it is priceless. In the Thank You note to Daniel, I wrote "I will always treasure it". And I will.

Isn't this lovely?

Blue fluid trickling down the winding tube. Fun to watch!

Camp Lassen: A Place for Boys and Men

Camp Lassen is a Cub Scout and Boy Scout camping ground located 30 miles north-east of Chico, in the high Sierra mountain, with elevation of 4500 feet. Beautiful scenery, fresh air, and far away from any cell phone transmitting tower, which means no cell phone signal whatsoever. Another abundant there is dirt. It is SO dusty.

My husband was the one who was supposed to be there, but couldn't go because of his broken leg. I always dread driving to any unfamiliar places, so the two and half hour drive especially the final 30 some miles along the winding mountain path was quite daunting to me. But I made it! Thank you God for watching over me!

There were only two moms among the nine parent-child pairs in our Cub Scout pack. It is a place for boys, growing boys and grown-up boys. You will see "why" from the pictures below.

Daniel enjoyed all the activities. His favorites were archery, BB gun, and "polar bear challenge"--jumping into the cold pond in the chilly morning hour (I was very proud of him!). What did I like about the camp? First, we had daily  flag ceremony and boys saying grace before each meal. Second, the programs and activities were all boy friendly and encourage their budding masculinity. Last but not least, the closing ceremony was very well planned. There were funny and goofy skits and songs, saluting and honoring former Eagle Scouts and men and women who had served the country, and a ceremony honoring a retired American flag directed by a special guest, a military general. Something said by the camp program director really resonated with me. "This country desperately need strong men."

The afternoon when we just arrived

Roasting marshmallow by camp file

Making a human pyramid after flag ceremony

A pack of boys form pack 65

Rock climbing. He didn't make it to the top. 

Ready?

Set.

Go!

Aim and shoot!

That's our open "cabin". Very cold at night!

Where flag ceremony and grace was taking place

Before BMX bike ride

Candle making in Handicraft program

Handicraft program

Cooling off in the lake (pond)

Boating fun!

Wood whittling during free time 

Wheel of the doom in dining hall

Enjoying a  s’more