Author: Annette Parmelly

Today is the last day of camp. I’ve had an amazing time and have been so blessed by the campers. It’s amazing the things the campers can do and the love of God that they show everyday. We had our Barn Dance last night and it was a big success. Today we had worship and devotion at the church, then everyone was allowed to pick from local eateries for lunch. After lunch the campers could go fishing or shopping or just hang around their rooms and rest. Tonight we met for one last time at the church for a meal and the church held a worship service. It’s always bittersweet on the last night. Saying goodbye to old and new friends and hoping we’ll all see each other next year.

This year was also bittersweet because we lost several campers and volunteers since we last had camp, including Mike Wilson, who along with his wife Charlotte, started Mountain High Camp in 1994. He along with the others that passed away were greatly missed, but we know they were having camp with us in Heaven.

This year I’m volunteering at Mountain High Camp in Red River, NM again. This is the first year since 2019 we have been able to have the camp because of COVID restrictions. I arrived in Red River yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. I went to church this morning at Faith Mountain Fellowship Church. This afternoon I helped get things ready for the campers to arrive. The majority of them fly to Albuquerque from Dallas or Houston. They then have a 4 1/2 hour bus ride to Red River. They arrived around 5:30 and got settled in their rooms. We then loaded back up on the buses and went to the church for supper and a welcoming program from the locals. My camper this year is Ken and he lives in Arizona. He loves to fish, so I’m sure we’ll be spending a lot of time at the town lake.

I’ve been back from my trip to Israel for a few days now. It was a wonderful trip. The highlight of the trip was being able to be baptized in the Jordan River. On the day we left, we stopped in Akko to visit with Susan Heagy from Abundant Hope International. This organization serves Holocaust Survivors in Israel. Susan always lives in a house where she can let volunteers stay while they are there. She is having to move into another place because the beautiful house she is renting now has been sold. While we were there we helped her disassemble some of the beds in the house and pack up some of her dishes, books, etc. It was a joy to visit with her and learn about her ministry to the Holocaust Survivors and their families. Thank you Kris and the board for allowing me to take extra time off to take this trip of a lifetime. I was so blessed. I would also like to thank the accounting department for all they did for me while I was gone. Not only did they get my financials done, they also went to visit my mother at the rehab hospital across the street from the office. She really enjoyed having them stop by to check on her. FDLIC is truly the greatest company to work for. Thanks again.

I’m sitting by the pool at our hotel in Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee. We came her on Saturday and will spend the remainder of our trip here. On the way from Jerusalem, we were able to stop at Jacob’s Well in Samaria. This is where Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman about living water. We also went to Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Sea. Yesterday we sailed on the Sea of Galilee worshiping on the boat with Danny the boat captain. Today we went to Magdala where Mary Magdalene was from. We also went to Capernaum. It’s been a blessing to be able to go to all these places and worship.

It’s been a fast, furious, tiring and glorious first 4 days of my mini-sabbatical. I left for Israel on Monday morning and we arrived here on Tuesday about 4:30 pm local time. I was able to sleep some on the 10 hour flight and I still had no trouble sleeping thru the night Tuesday. Wednesday morning we wanted no time getting started on our adventure. We boarded our bus and headed out of Jerusalem to Masada, En Gedi, Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Then we went to the Dead Sea where floated in the salty water. I even found a camel there to ride. We got back to the hotel in Jerusalem and ate our evening meal then we had a worship and praise time before turning in for the night. Thursday we headed to old Jerusalem (City of David). We walked through Hezekiah’s tunnels. We also went to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. We also went to tunnels that run along the Western Walls under the Temple Mount. It was a long and exhausting day, but totally worth it. Tomorrow we will walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

David and me at camp

I’m just finishing up another year at Mountain High Camp in Red River, NM. This is the same camp that I volunteered at for my sabbatical last year.

I can’t express how blessed I am to be able to participate in this camp. It’s a camp for adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries. We worship, play games and eat at Bobcat Pass, worship some more, fish, shop, have a dance and just enjoy each other’s company. It truly is God’s camp. My camper this year is David from Spring, TX.  He was supposed to be my camper last year but was unable to attend because of Hurricane Harvey. He received his brain injury when he was involved in a car accident in 1980 at the age of 17.  He is a joy to be around.

Thank you FDLIC for allowing us to take a helpers of people leave.

I can’t believe it’s already been 30 days since I began my sabbatical journey. I’ve been beyond blessed.   The last 2 weeks I’ve spent resting, reminiscing and spending time with my grandbaby.

My sweet granddaughter, Kleasy

I’ve continued with my daily devotional Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer. It has really been hitting home and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I read The Same Kind of Different as Me.  I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see the movie when it comes out in October. It’s amazing how God uses people from such diverse backgrounds to bring people together.  I plan on reading the sequel, What Difference Do It Make?  My Mom has the book, we just haven’t been able to put our hands on it yet. Hopefully I’ll locate it soon.  I’ve also been able to read several novels during my time off.  I love reading, but sometimes I  get so busy I don’t get to read as much as I would like.

During my time off, I took my mother to her hometown of Holliday, TX to visit the graves of her parents and her sister. I also drove her around town to see the changes in the years since we used to go visit my grandparents. I also went to see my grandparents graves at Drummond Cemetery near View and my Dad’s grave at Elmwood Memorial Park. It was nice to just sit and remember the good times we had. I miss them all, but know I will see them all again someday.

My Maternal Grandparents and my Aunt Mary’s graves in Holliday

My Paternal Grandparents graves

My granddaughter, Kleasy, next to her namesake her great great grandfather Kleas Parmelly

My Dad’s grave at Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene

I’ve really enjoyed being able to take this sabbatical. Thank you Kris and FDLIC for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank my co-workers in the accounting department for taking on my responsibilities so that I could take this time off. I know they did a great job.

Wow!  There are no words to describe what I experienced last week at The Mountain High Camp in Red River, NM. I went to help with the “campers”, adults who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, and I’m the one who was blessed. I know now why they refer to this camp as “God’s Camp”. God’s presence was there always no matter what we were doing or where we were at. We started off the camp with a Hoe Down hosted by the members of the Faith Mountain Fellowship Church in Red River. On Monday we went out to Bobcat Pass just outside of Red River and played games. On Tuesday night we had a “Barn Dance” at the Red River Convention Center. Everyone had great time. On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons we went fishing or shopping or both. It was more than I could ever have imagined.

My campers – Randy, Robert and Kelvin

I made so many friends, including campers, counselors, volunteers and families. I’m looking forward to going back next year. I’m so grateful  that God led me to this camp.

Two of my new friends and co-counselors- Melissa Hartley and Carol Pritchard

This week I’m going to concentrate on resting and reflection and I’ll be spending more time with my grandbaby.

Until next time…

My first week of sabbatical was busy, but fun. I took my Mom to the zoo on Monday for Senior Citizens Day. She really enjoyed it. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons I kept my 2 month old granddaughter, Kleasy. I really enjoyed that. Just can’t get enough of her. I also got my hair done and oil changed in preparation for my trip to Red River for my service project.

I drove to Red River, NM on Saturday. It’s about a 9 hour trip. I’ll be volunteering at a camp for adults with traumatic brain injuries. It’s called Mountain High Camp or “God’s Camp”. The camper I was supposed to oversee was not able to make it because of hurricane Harvey. There were 20 campers and counselors from the Houston area that couldn’t get out. So I’m taking one of the Houston counselors place and overseeing 3 campers- Robert, Randy and Kelvin. They are all from the Ft. Worth area. They all got here a couple of hours ago and we’re all about to load up the buses and head to the church to get the camp officially started.

I’m really excited for the opportunity to help at this camp.

I’ll let you know how things go.

Blessings

I wasn’t going to start blogging until later in the week, but I just wanted to share my devotional from yesterday. I’m using Joyce Meyer’s “Love Out Loud” for my devotional study. This coming Saturday, I’m driving to Red River, NM to help out as a counselor at Mountain High Camp – a 5 day camp for adults who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. I’m really excited about this opportunity to serve, but I’m a little apprehensive also. I’ve never done anything like this before and it’s a bit out of my comfort zone, but I know this is what God wants me to do. So yesterday I’m reading  my devotional for August 20, (because there is no way I could start at January 1 when it’s August haha) and it was of course perfect for the situation

“August 20
No More Same Old Same Old
Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! ISAIAH 43: 18, 19
In today’s Scripture, God says He is doing a new thing. As you move into the future He has for you, you will encounter all kinds of new opportunities, and challenges. The days ahead will be full of new experiences, things you have never done before. You may not know how to do them, but you will learn. Everything you are doing today was new to you at one time—and look, now you can do it. Continuing to face new challenges and develop new abilities is extremely important to your growth and maturity. As you walk with God into your future, you will hear Him say, “You have not done this before, but don’t be afraid. I’m taking you to a place you have never been before. I’m going to ask you to do something you don’t know how to do!” God has already been where He is leading you, and He has prepared the way. Step out in faith and you will experience the faithfulness of God. We think and say, “It’s time for a change! I need something new,” and then we hesitate to embrace that new thing when it comes. If you are ready for something new and fresh, don’t be afraid to embrace it when it comes. Don’t stay trapped in the past. Let go of what lies behind and press into the great future God has planned for you. I can promise you: God is with you. He will lead you. He will strengthen you. He will help you.
Love God Today: With God’s help, I will embrace every new thing He brings into my life.”

God’s got this!

Today is “Senior Citizen Day” at the Abilene Zoo, so I’m going to take my Mom. She doesn’t get around too good and hasn’t been to the zoo in several years, so I think she’ll enjoy it and I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend some quality time with her.

To be continued…