CAMPING IN KANSAS

Campsite as seen from troop drone

Troop 244 of the Kaw River ward had it's first campout of the year this past weekend. The bishop of the singles ward here in the Lenexa stake owns about 600 acres of land just outside of Garnet, Kansas. It's about an hour and fifteen minute drive south of Kansas City. The previous owners raised pecans, cattle and corn on the property. The bishop leases the land out to another farmer and also allows youth groups from the stake to come down and have some fun. The scoutmaster, Derrick Dube and the young mens president, Mike Albrechtsen and I along with 6 scouts made the trip. One of the dads drove up later in the evening.

It was a little chilly, but everyone had a great time. 

After arriving and setting up camp, the boys went canoeing on the river that runs right through the property and chased some cows that came by to inspect the new comers. After dinner and our campfire program, the boys played capture the flag and then tag using glow sticks to be able to find each other in the dark. Fortunately, none of them ran into any barbed wire fences or fell into the river. The next morning after breakfast, Brother Albrechtsen brought out his drone and had fun taking videos of the area and chasing a vulture that happened to be flying by. More canoeing and hiking along the river followed. Although we didn't see him, there is a beaver at work on the trees along the river. 

It was a great couple of days, especially gratifying to be able to get to know the boys a little better. The Kaw River ward has a good group of young men with an occasional goof ball (every troop seems to have one). Our next campout is already scheduled for next month. I can't wait.

Just arrived

'A river runs through it'

Noe, Andres, Ilyan, Carlos, Tommy and Zach

Corn fed Kansas beef

Yep, the goof ball

Chasing the vulture

Dinner - meatball sandwiches

Bill (Tommy's dad) and Mike Albrechtsen cooking breakfast burritos

Let's get these troops out of the hot sun

Beaver's work

Uprooted tree that was close to river. Roots were very shallow, not having to go far for water, and so were not able to keep it strong during a storm. Discussed with the boys why we do hard things so our roots go deep into the gospel soil.

Tornado Season - disaster preparedness

Robyn has been working very hard with the members of the ward to become better prepared for any emergency, not just tornados. She took orders last Sunday for rice, beans and powdered milk. We were pleasantly surprised with the results. Tuesday we drove down to the Kansas City home storage center and picked up about 16 cases. The members of the ward were eager to stock up. Each month Robyn plans on concentrating on a couple of different items so hopefully by the time we leave, the ward will be much better prepared. In the meantime, our living room looks like a well stocked church home storage satellite warehouse. 

Visited with Brother James Porter at the VA hospital here in Kansas.
James had back surgery that hopefully will allow him more mobility and movement. He has been unable to come to church because of the pain and we pray that he will make a full recovery and become more active. He loves Robyn's pumpkin bread so we are trying to bribe him with it. 

Robyn and I are so grateful to our Father in Heaven for this wonderful opportunity to serve here in the Kaw River ward. Every week brings new experiences and challenges.
This past week we met with a young man whose wife has left him. They had recently moved here from Brazil and have been less active for a while. He now recognizes that the Gospel is the only way that his marriage can be healed. The bishop asked us to meet with him regularly to encourage him to not give up.  And then the other evening we met with a family whose teenage daughter recently had a child out of wedlock. When the daughter became pregnant, the family stopped coming to church because of embarrassment. They promised us that they would come to church this Sunday.  We pray that they will.
We know that we do not have all the answers, but the Holy Ghost does. "For, behold, the Comforter knoweth all things, and beareth record of the Father and of the Son."

Elder Bednar taught us in the worldwide missionary broadcast that it is the Holy Ghost who is the teacher. If we are worthy and the person is receptive, then teaching occurs. He also instructed us to always invite. Everything we do should invite someone to act. And then he said we promise blessings if they act. We are trying to always remember that inspired counsel as we meet with members and non members alike.