I am so grateful for my vacation and time away for fun and the sun. We spent a few days on the shores of Wildwood New Jersey. I had much fun: braving the crazy rollercoasters (which scrambled my brains so bad, I had a headache for the longest afterward), and I even braved a scarey ride, which had little kids coming out with a smile on their face, while I on the other hand was scared to death. *Ask my son, how badly I performed :-)* If that little car that we were on went through another set of double doors, I was going to get out and walk out!

The best part of the amusement park however was the water park. A few rides down the long and winding tubes, proved to be exciting and we drifted lazily on colorful inner tubes around the water park, surrounded by fun music and bumping into others along the way. In the center of the park, was an attraction which boasts “The Big Bucket”. A bucket of water which fills up periodically with 4 tons of water…the bell begins ringing – alerting you to the fact that 1000 gallons of water is about to splash down upon you…

Now, I know that we are only baptized once…but I came to be refreshed…and what better way to affirm your “baptism” than at a water park, being drenched with 1000 gallons of water! I asked my son to snap a pic, thinking I was going to be drenched once…but…

I was drenched, not once, not twice, but three times. *Somehow, my son stated that he couldn’t get the timing right on the camera* (sure…sure..) Instead of being dunked, I was splashed and drenched! In the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit!

I was reminded of God’s provision of the everlasting life-giving source of water! At SplashZone! Amen!

I don’t know whether this should go under embarrassing…but I am kinda funky, right about now! Don’t think it’s the same kinda funky James Brown was talkin about. But I am definitely “smelling myself” In fact, after this post, I believe I will go in and take me a much needed shower. It’s true! And as most of you probably know, about me: “no shame in my game”.

I am on freakin’ vacation!!!…and after three days…it actually feels like it! Not feeling like checking my emails. The urge to stop by the office has diminished…but I do feel a little sad that I cannot call someone I know is in the hospital. I am on vacation. I have a sister pastor who is available should an emergency arise. And so… I am home. Going out only when absolutely necessary. Not having to set my alarm. Hanging out with my son and “his” cat. (Yes, that is dripping with sarcasm – she loves my son to death)

But back to my funky behind! I haven’t been in the shower for three days! Oh I have washed my face and my sweetness…and brushed my teeth when I had to go outside….but it was almost like I was going through withdrawal from my job…it has almost been like I felt like I wasn’t supposed to be away…or take some time for myself – even though by the end of last week, I was driving home in tears… (If one more person asks me one more thing…I will scream!!!!!)

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America….I just finished watching my daily dose of the “Bernie Mac Show”. We have been watching it religiously for the past 3 years or so. It is a daily staple in our household…It is a show about his sister being on drugs and him and his wife raising his sister’s kids, and all of the mischief and anger and hurt and love that goes on in that family. It is a learning process for all involved…and during the show, Bernie invites us along…talks to us, right America??? And so, it was shocking…hear me, America? It was shocking to hear of his death. I vaguely remembered that he was sick - in fact, when I was hanging out two weeks ago, (yes, America…pastor’s need to let it all hang out at times…appropriately, of course)…the featured artist spoke about the rumor that Bernie Mac was dead…which was new to me, I hadn’t heard it, but apparently there was a rumor out that he had died. The artist insisted that Bernie was just in the hospital…that’s all. And the news reports stated the same thing. In fact, last week, they were expecting him to come home.

But you know what I have learned, America? Is that to every rumor there is a bit of truth. Perhaps someone who worked on the floor Bernie was on leaked that Bernie wasn’t going to make it. And there have been rumors about his illness and talk about his previous battle with Sarcoidosis.

It really doesn’t matter how or why he died. America…I am just sad that he is gone. And also thankful that to the end, his life and passing was shared with us. Certainly, the family did not have to do that. But Bernie was tired … Bernie is loved… Bernie will be missed.

At the opening of The Bernie Mac Show: you hear Bernie’s voice asking loudly: “Who Ya Wit(h)?” We were wit(h) you Bernie….America was wit(h) you. And I pray Bernie, that you are wit(h) our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the years of laughter and learning…Rest In Peace..

Well, summer almost over. The young man had a difficult time, with summer school and all, and so he asked me, rather pitifully I might add, if I would take him to the Eagles Training Camp. *Oh Lord! Not that! Anything but that!*

But being that I am off on Mondays, and the training camp was about to be over, I said what the heck! All work and no play makes jack a dull boy…right? Even kids deserve to have fun (even if they fail a lot of their subjects)…

And so, he picked two of his cronies and off we went 6:00 in the morning. And it was amazing at the amount of folks that were there! I just don’t get it! How about those Eagles???? Darned if I know.

I did get a pic of the boys standing under the training camp sign…but I am not allowed to post his pic….

I did however get a photo of the infamous #5…in the red shirt….the little kids were screaming behind me: There’s Donovan! McNabb, I guess….

Show’s you how much I know….then I went back to the car to knit!

All in all…the boys had a good time. We even got out of there in enough time to catch a movie. They saw “Step-Brothers”…and I saw “The Dark Knight”.

The boys said StepBrothers was hilarious! Batman wasn’t all that great, but the Joker was amazing!!!

I guess I needed to get away for a minute, but I had the hardest time remembering that it was Monday, and not Saturday…and that I had to go back to work the next morning.

I am on vacation beginning on Saturday, for a full TWO weeks…Thanks be to God. I really need a rest.