This is it. At the end of the day, the 2020 Passion Play season will be over. Yes, we will continue to do Holy Land tours, put up Christmas lights and Nativity scenes, and have people visiting the Christ of the Ozarks statue and enjoying our hiking and biking trails. But the set will be "black", the water to the set will be shut off, the bulk of our animals will be taken to warm indoor quarters off the property and a skeleton crew of paid staff and volunteers will work on maintenance and necessary projects to prepare us for the 2021 season.
It has been a different environment this year, with masks, social distancing, no dinner buffet, lower attendance and almost all of our tour groups cancelling, only a few volunteer and youth groups coming to help, and many of our cast members limiting their participation. The schedule for next season is out and it has fewer scheduled performance days and may be a repeat of this year if the health concerns still remain. But, we will stay optimistic. With our new house, Karen and I will be here for the winter and be part of the off-season staff. We'll know in a few weeks about my shoulder and the treatment needed to "fix" it, and its impact on what and how much I can do.
The One and Done subject is not really very appropriate to describe our status as Passion Play volunteers or as Christians. We have been here since May, 2014, with a few winter "vacations" serving elsewhere, but we are committed to THE ONE who provides for us and protects us, and we will be Done when HE says we are done and not a second before. For all YOU are, and for all YOU do for so many.......Thank You, Lord. We are blessed to be part of Your family.
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Saturday, October 31, 2020
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
October 28, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Rain, Rain, Go Away.........
Not really. We have been rain-starved for most of the summer, after a pretty wet spring. The foliage popped out in time for our anticipated Easter weekend opening of the Play, but the Play was delayed by Covid until Memorial Day weekend. It was then that the rain seemed to go away. Instead of a wet September and early October, we had drought-like conditions.
And then, as the ladybug infestation seemed imminent, the temperatures dropped and so too came the rain. We did, and still do, have some fall colors, but the rain of the past week has knocked down much of the color and the rain, more than 5 inches so far, has really been welcome. We only have two performances remaining for the season, and both Friday and Saturday are forecast to be mild and dry. It looks like we will only have lost one performance this season to the weather and have managed to not have even a drop of rain during any of our Play performances this year. In our seven years here, that is a record.
Today has been the fifth day in a row with temperatures in the 40's or below, no sunshine and wet conditions. But, we have endured, as have our visitors, and we look forward to the weekend "heat wave" and the dry conditions anticipated. When we were asking for moisture a while back, we didn't know what we were in for. As always....be careful what you ask for....you may just get it.......in spades.
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And then, as the ladybug infestation seemed imminent, the temperatures dropped and so too came the rain. We did, and still do, have some fall colors, but the rain of the past week has knocked down much of the color and the rain, more than 5 inches so far, has really been welcome. We only have two performances remaining for the season, and both Friday and Saturday are forecast to be mild and dry. It looks like we will only have lost one performance this season to the weather and have managed to not have even a drop of rain during any of our Play performances this year. In our seven years here, that is a record.
Today has been the fifth day in a row with temperatures in the 40's or below, no sunshine and wet conditions. But, we have endured, as have our visitors, and we look forward to the weekend "heat wave" and the dry conditions anticipated. When we were asking for moisture a while back, we didn't know what we were in for. As always....be careful what you ask for....you may just get it.......in spades.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, October 25, 2020
October 25, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. The Week In Review
Even though one of my devotional readings this morning said "you can't get anywhere today, if you're still bogged down in yesterday", I want to give a quick review of the past week.....and Thank God for it.
Last Sunday I attended a memorial for a Passion Play cast member who was in the Play for 52 of its 53 years. What a wonderful witness his life was. I prayed for a former pastor and his wife, who had to evacuate their home in Colorado because of the wild fires. On Monday I gave a Holy Land tour to six wonderful guests. On Tuesday, I taught the Tabernacle, presented the Upper Room to very receptive listeners and was prayed for, given a surprising donation for the Passion Play and wore a warm cape made specially for me by our dear friend Joan. On Wednesday I endured some technology issues, met some very nice truck repair people and readied my pickup and our cabin for the upcoming winter conditions.
On Thursday I did a few cabin chores, we had friends at the cabin for dinner, saw a few ladybugs and went back to the RV to prepare for two performance days. I listened to the Presidential Debate. I cast my vote at the Early Voting site. Friday and Saturday were pretty cold and I used a warmer cape which Joan has given me last year (a 2XL which Dick had used for years), and spent a blustery two days at the Upper Room and in the Play each night performing before a bundled up audience who endured uncomfortable conditions to witness the Play, and the story of Jesus' Passion.
A number of our friends, family and co-workers faced difficult situations this week: a positive Covid test, a cancer diagnosis, an injured knee, an eye issue initially thought to be a torn retina, harsh words and foul language aimed at them, a person injured during a bike race on the Passion Play property, slow recovery from a recent heart operation, financial challenges, vehicle problems, enduring the sudden weather changes from hot and humid to cold and windy.
But in all this we forged ahead. The ladybugs may have decided to bypass us this year because of the cold weather, and I awoke each day still eager to do what I have been called to do. I think our former pastor was able to return to his home. My other devotional (Our Daily Bread) this morning was Joshua 1:1-9, God's encouragement to be strong and courageous and His promise to never leave us or forsake us. I enjoyed the week, had many wonderful experiences even with the bumps in the road, and I feel that I have been strengthened for the road ahead and trusting God for His plan and purpose for each of us. Stay the course, run the race and finish strong..........We will be better prepared for His future Kingdom..............THANK YOU, LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Last Sunday I attended a memorial for a Passion Play cast member who was in the Play for 52 of its 53 years. What a wonderful witness his life was. I prayed for a former pastor and his wife, who had to evacuate their home in Colorado because of the wild fires. On Monday I gave a Holy Land tour to six wonderful guests. On Tuesday, I taught the Tabernacle, presented the Upper Room to very receptive listeners and was prayed for, given a surprising donation for the Passion Play and wore a warm cape made specially for me by our dear friend Joan. On Wednesday I endured some technology issues, met some very nice truck repair people and readied my pickup and our cabin for the upcoming winter conditions.
On Thursday I did a few cabin chores, we had friends at the cabin for dinner, saw a few ladybugs and went back to the RV to prepare for two performance days. I listened to the Presidential Debate. I cast my vote at the Early Voting site. Friday and Saturday were pretty cold and I used a warmer cape which Joan has given me last year (a 2XL which Dick had used for years), and spent a blustery two days at the Upper Room and in the Play each night performing before a bundled up audience who endured uncomfortable conditions to witness the Play, and the story of Jesus' Passion.
A number of our friends, family and co-workers faced difficult situations this week: a positive Covid test, a cancer diagnosis, an injured knee, an eye issue initially thought to be a torn retina, harsh words and foul language aimed at them, a person injured during a bike race on the Passion Play property, slow recovery from a recent heart operation, financial challenges, vehicle problems, enduring the sudden weather changes from hot and humid to cold and windy.
But in all this we forged ahead. The ladybugs may have decided to bypass us this year because of the cold weather, and I awoke each day still eager to do what I have been called to do. I think our former pastor was able to return to his home. My other devotional (Our Daily Bread) this morning was Joshua 1:1-9, God's encouragement to be strong and courageous and His promise to never leave us or forsake us. I enjoyed the week, had many wonderful experiences even with the bumps in the road, and I feel that I have been strengthened for the road ahead and trusting God for His plan and purpose for each of us. Stay the course, run the race and finish strong..........We will be better prepared for His future Kingdom..............THANK YOU, LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, October 22, 2020
October 22, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Technology
I can't keep up with the technological changes which seem to be obsolete just as I get to some degree of understanding the last change. I have an older model cell phone, an android smart phone which is smarter than me, but not as smart as the 4 or 5 iterations which have come out since my "6" phone. Karen has an 8, my sister-in-law has soothing like a 10 and the latest is beyond normal numbers.
There are notepads, tablets, minis, maxis, boosters, wi-fi extenders which can't extend a wi-fi signal with too little input or not enough output. Our HVAC tells us when it is too cold for air and too warm for heat and does it all automatically. We are thinking about a standby generator to automatically run our household power should the HVAC system lose it's brain because of a loss of electric power. All of these systems don't need any action on our part except trusting the people who have installed them, to do so properly.
And, whatever we buy, we get a survey to rate the service we received, the quality of the product and a discount on the next order we make. Non-profits want our support, and when we do, they keep badgering us for more money, or tempt us with a new book, dvd, cd, or special offer which will only be available for the next 48 hours. My phone gets untold numbers of calls from people who want me to vote for them or for an issue I have no interest in. I wish I wasn't getting calls, texts and snail mail for Eugenia, and as often as I block the number, it just comes from another number.
It's too much. It's too intrusive and it's only bound to get worse with open enrollment for Medicare, Political solicitors and all the special interest groups wanting our support and financial gifts. And, who knows what the latest scam will be and what foreign country or radical group will be behind it.
I do remember when an operator used to say"number please", when we had regular cash registers at every store and life was a lot simpler, time went by more slowly and we wore masks playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians and we didn't think if we were offending someone with our nickname or the name of our favorite sports team. We do live in challenging times, great things are still in the offing........I hope........but I do miss the adventures of the past and the " good old days".
Sent from my iPad
There are notepads, tablets, minis, maxis, boosters, wi-fi extenders which can't extend a wi-fi signal with too little input or not enough output. Our HVAC tells us when it is too cold for air and too warm for heat and does it all automatically. We are thinking about a standby generator to automatically run our household power should the HVAC system lose it's brain because of a loss of electric power. All of these systems don't need any action on our part except trusting the people who have installed them, to do so properly.
And, whatever we buy, we get a survey to rate the service we received, the quality of the product and a discount on the next order we make. Non-profits want our support, and when we do, they keep badgering us for more money, or tempt us with a new book, dvd, cd, or special offer which will only be available for the next 48 hours. My phone gets untold numbers of calls from people who want me to vote for them or for an issue I have no interest in. I wish I wasn't getting calls, texts and snail mail for Eugenia, and as often as I block the number, it just comes from another number.
It's too much. It's too intrusive and it's only bound to get worse with open enrollment for Medicare, Political solicitors and all the special interest groups wanting our support and financial gifts. And, who knows what the latest scam will be and what foreign country or radical group will be behind it.
I do remember when an operator used to say"number please", when we had regular cash registers at every store and life was a lot simpler, time went by more slowly and we wore masks playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians and we didn't think if we were offending someone with our nickname or the name of our favorite sports team. We do live in challenging times, great things are still in the offing........I hope........but I do miss the adventures of the past and the " good old days".
Sent from my iPad
Monday, October 19, 2020
October 19, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Looking Too Far Ahead
All this, because I wanted to look out further to the east of our cabin, increase our already beautiful view. But God had something else in His plan. The tree I wanted to take down has now changed color and has beautified the view ever more than if I had taken it down. The lessen: enjoy the moment, don't look too far into the future for what MIGHT be......enjoy the moment for what it IS.
My shoulder is pretty tender. Even the slightest movement in the wrong direction, brings a twinge or stab of discomfort. When I see the doc on November 16, we'll chart a course of action. Until then, enjoy a break from the " heavy" work, enjoy the view, and Thank God for the added color to the east......and trust Him for what will be with my shoulder.
Friday, October 16, 2020
October 16, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. T-minus.........
The countdown has begun. We are under ten performance days to go in the 2020 season. That there was a 2020 season of The Great Passion Play, at all, was a miracle in itself. As the Covid situation began and grew in severity, we held out little hope that the State of Arkansas would allow us to open. But, the plan which was submitted was accepted and we complied with the requirements of masks, social distancing and the food limitations, and start we did.
Attendance was down until the last few weeks, and the prospects for this weekend look pretty good with favorable weather expected. We have faced some other issues, as well; a vulture mom and her two chicks taking up residence in the Bethlehem Inn, armadillos destroying the sod-laying of our Garden of Gethsemane as well as the front feature at the PP entrance, the loss of a number of our Play and petting zoo animals, and the death of Rich G. who had been in the Play cast for over 52 years.
A number of injuries during the season impacted the size of our cast which was already lower due to the Covid concerns, and I think I will need to have my shoulder repaired in order to be able to handle the PP and cabin chores which require a better-functioning body than I presently have. I'll know more when I visit the VA Ortho people in mid-November. In any event.........8 performance days to go.....and counting.
Sent from my iPad
Attendance was down until the last few weeks, and the prospects for this weekend look pretty good with favorable weather expected. We have faced some other issues, as well; a vulture mom and her two chicks taking up residence in the Bethlehem Inn, armadillos destroying the sod-laying of our Garden of Gethsemane as well as the front feature at the PP entrance, the loss of a number of our Play and petting zoo animals, and the death of Rich G. who had been in the Play cast for over 52 years.
A number of injuries during the season impacted the size of our cast which was already lower due to the Covid concerns, and I think I will need to have my shoulder repaired in order to be able to handle the PP and cabin chores which require a better-functioning body than I presently have. I'll know more when I visit the VA Ortho people in mid-November. In any event.........8 performance days to go.....and counting.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
October 13, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Down to the Mountaintop
In Colorado we lived "at altitude" and often went "up" into the mountains for our recreation, sightseeing, and relaxation. When I was training for triathlons and cycling events, I would alternate my workouts to use the flatland east of the Rockies for speed work and days in the mountains to build leg strength and lung strength. All of this activity was from altitudes between 5000 and 14,000+ feet above sea level.
In Arkansas the mountains are really molehills. The highest point in the whole state is Mount Magazine at 2,753 feet. Where we have been the past 7 years, at the Passion Play, on the top of Magnetic Mountain, the elevation is 1500 feet. This part of Arkansas is famous for its up and down terrain and winding roads and lack of ability to get from place to place in a straight or level fashion. It's not unusual to take an hour to get to a place 30 miles away.
When we were looking for a mountain cabin away from the RV we have been living in since 2013, we were thrilled when we found our "promised land" 8.5 miles (17 minutes) from the PP. There are quite a few ups and downs to get from here to there and a check of the elevation of our mountain home turns out to be 1473 feet, so we are really traveling "down" to our cabin in the mountains. But it's of no consequence.... both are mountaintop experiences, and we love them both.
The other night Karen and I watched a documentary on Mount Everest......Elevation over 29,000 feet. Talk about a mountain!
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In Arkansas the mountains are really molehills. The highest point in the whole state is Mount Magazine at 2,753 feet. Where we have been the past 7 years, at the Passion Play, on the top of Magnetic Mountain, the elevation is 1500 feet. This part of Arkansas is famous for its up and down terrain and winding roads and lack of ability to get from place to place in a straight or level fashion. It's not unusual to take an hour to get to a place 30 miles away.
When we were looking for a mountain cabin away from the RV we have been living in since 2013, we were thrilled when we found our "promised land" 8.5 miles (17 minutes) from the PP. There are quite a few ups and downs to get from here to there and a check of the elevation of our mountain home turns out to be 1473 feet, so we are really traveling "down" to our cabin in the mountains. But it's of no consequence.... both are mountaintop experiences, and we love them both.
The other night Karen and I watched a documentary on Mount Everest......Elevation over 29,000 feet. Talk about a mountain!
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Saturday, October 10, 2020
October 10, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Up And At ‘Em
I'm a morning person; always have been. No matter how late I get to bed, it's pretty certain I will be up early and rarin' to go. I am what is called an "unwinder". My spring is tightly wound and as the day goes on the spring unwinds and I lose the enthusiasm I had when my feet hit the floor. By late afternoon I'm unwound and ready to nap in my recliner.
Karen, on the other hand, is a "winder". She starts out slow, can sleep "in" and gains energy as the day goes along. She usually starts chores late in the day and has been known to vacuum at 10 pm and stays up for Perry Mason reruns and beyond. We've been on different agendas, but it has worked for 46 years, so why change now.
When I was younger, the morning was my exercise time, running and then biking, but now the morning is for quiet time with God, reading His Word, journaling, and an occasional walk before the chores or projects for the day. Because I have been blogging later in the day, I thought I would blog early today, after my quiet time, my Passion Play chores and before the busyness expected today. If something exciting or unusual happens, maybe I'll blog again later. That would be different. In any event......have a nice day......have a BLESSED day
Sent from my iPad
Karen, on the other hand, is a "winder". She starts out slow, can sleep "in" and gains energy as the day goes along. She usually starts chores late in the day and has been known to vacuum at 10 pm and stays up for Perry Mason reruns and beyond. We've been on different agendas, but it has worked for 46 years, so why change now.
When I was younger, the morning was my exercise time, running and then biking, but now the morning is for quiet time with God, reading His Word, journaling, and an occasional walk before the chores or projects for the day. Because I have been blogging later in the day, I thought I would blog early today, after my quiet time, my Passion Play chores and before the busyness expected today. If something exciting or unusual happens, maybe I'll blog again later. That would be different. In any event......have a nice day......have a BLESSED day
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
October 7, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Not Enough Hours in the Day
I guess I've slowed down more than I thought. I start a task, get into it a
ways, and realize I need to take a water break, a potty break or just a rest break, and by the time I get back to work it's time for another water break, potty break or rest break. And by then, it's time to call it a day and the task isn't done.
With my right arm not working at full capacity, I've had to be careful about lifting, twisting or moving around on uneven ground. Arkansas doesn't have much level ground, so climbing or descending is done at a slower pace. Boy, the day goes by quickly and once again the blogging is delayed. When I write down in my notebook the things I've done during the day, there are a bunch of entries, so I am making progress, even if I've had to redo or undo some of my prior work.
With only 11 more performance days (over the next 24 days), our focus will switch to mostly working and living in the cabin and not in the RV, doing cabin chores instead of Passion Play chores. Less travel time and more stay put time; less public focus and more family/ friend focus. Maybe more hours in the day to sit on the deck, watch the trees turn colorful, read a book or listen to some sermons, sew my crosses again, and enjoy the beautiful property God has blessed us with, reveling in the freedom of serving our awesome, patient and loving Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank You.......Thank You......Thank You.
Sent from my iPad
ways, and realize I need to take a water break, a potty break or just a rest break, and by the time I get back to work it's time for another water break, potty break or rest break. And by then, it's time to call it a day and the task isn't done.
With my right arm not working at full capacity, I've had to be careful about lifting, twisting or moving around on uneven ground. Arkansas doesn't have much level ground, so climbing or descending is done at a slower pace. Boy, the day goes by quickly and once again the blogging is delayed. When I write down in my notebook the things I've done during the day, there are a bunch of entries, so I am making progress, even if I've had to redo or undo some of my prior work.
With only 11 more performance days (over the next 24 days), our focus will switch to mostly working and living in the cabin and not in the RV, doing cabin chores instead of Passion Play chores. Less travel time and more stay put time; less public focus and more family/ friend focus. Maybe more hours in the day to sit on the deck, watch the trees turn colorful, read a book or listen to some sermons, sew my crosses again, and enjoy the beautiful property God has blessed us with, reveling in the freedom of serving our awesome, patient and loving Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank You.......Thank You......Thank You.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, October 4, 2020
October 4, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Slow Down and LISTEN
Life is racing along with innumerable issues to be faced and resolved. It seems that most recently there have been even more things which have needed my attention and are distracting me from the MOST important thing.....listening to God.
To list all the issues Karen and I are are facing would be like what we used to call in Law School, "a parade of horrible". One thing leads to the next, and each one is worse then the one before. We are not alone. Everyone is facing problems, worries, health issues, uncertainty of the political and social climate.....and so much more.
All I know is that two days ago God put a check in my spirit about something I was planning to do, and there was more than one check.......but I decided to proceed with my plan anyway.....and now have a rotator cuff more damaged than I had before.....and may have to have the surgery I didn't want to have when I first was injured. The moral of the story.........
Slow down..........don't try to do everything by yourself..........don't try to fix every problem or solve every dilemma NOW.......and...........LISTEN..TO..GOD. Sorry Lord for not applying these principles two days ago, but Thank You for giving me some sense of how to handle the next "idea" I have. Yes........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
To list all the issues Karen and I are are facing would be like what we used to call in Law School, "a parade of horrible". One thing leads to the next, and each one is worse then the one before. We are not alone. Everyone is facing problems, worries, health issues, uncertainty of the political and social climate.....and so much more.
All I know is that two days ago God put a check in my spirit about something I was planning to do, and there was more than one check.......but I decided to proceed with my plan anyway.....and now have a rotator cuff more damaged than I had before.....and may have to have the surgery I didn't want to have when I first was injured. The moral of the story.........
Slow down..........don't try to do everything by yourself..........don't try to fix every problem or solve every dilemma NOW.......and...........LISTEN..TO..GOD. Sorry Lord for not applying these principles two days ago, but Thank You for giving me some sense of how to handle the next "idea" I have. Yes........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, October 1, 2020
October 1, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. The Figures Don’t Lie.........
.......or do they. Today a thought popped into my mind and I started to investigate, but decided to do some work around the cabin instead. I never got back to my investigation. It dawned on me that someone must be keeping records of how many people die in the United States in a year, or on an "average" day.
I wanted to find out if this year, with it's pandemic, was any different. My initial research said that the figures are not a whole lot different even with the 200,000 Covid-19 deaths. Is that true? Well. Since I didn't complete my investigation, I will follow up when I have a little more "free time". See you all later, with possible results.
Sent from my iPad
I wanted to find out if this year, with it's pandemic, was any different. My initial research said that the figures are not a whole lot different even with the 200,000 Covid-19 deaths. Is that true? Well. Since I didn't complete my investigation, I will follow up when I have a little more "free time". See you all later, with possible results.
Sent from my iPad
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