What Was I Thinking?

Yesterday, I started ripping... more like scraping wallpaper off the bathroom walls.  What was I thinking?  Actually, a week or so ago, I began the job.  As I stood in the shower, all I could see were the curling edges of the old paper.  Paper that we inherited when we moved to the camp five years ago.  It was pretty paper, but those curling edges were getting on my nerves.  So... I started ripping!  Well, today about 98% of the wallpaper is off, and 100% of everything that was in the bathroom is now on my bed.

My questions now...What to do next?  Decorating is not a strength and I have no idea what I want this room to look like when it is finished.  Any suggestions?  Thank goodness for long Alaskan winters.  I'll have plenty of time to figure it out.

Definition of "Sherry Clean"

I guess I need to explain the term "Sherry Clean".  When we first arrived at camp in 2006, I implemented a pretty intense cleaning regiment.  Just wanted to make sure that the camp was as clean and tidy as it could possibly be.  The joke started out that there were two types of clean... clean and then there was "Sherry" clean.  By the end of the summer, the joke turned into a personal attack.  I must admit that I cried more in that first summer at the camp than I have in all my life put together.   My mind and heart were so torn.  How could I love this place and the ministry so much, but feel so defeated?  How could I have been so convinced that this was EXACTLY where God wanted our family, but feel such doubt in making the 5,000+ mile move across country.  How could I ever share this heartbreak with my family and friends?  What would they think of my weakness?  So...I handled the situation by not telling them.  Actually, they will hear about it for the first time if they read this entry.

Well, I made it through the first summer, but the wounds of my heart were still open and vulnerable.  I praise God that He gave me a quiet winter to heal.  I spent a lot of time thinking, praying, and studying.  I don't think I'd ever read my Bible as much!  I was searching for a way to "clean" my wounds, heal, and continue to serve others through the camp ministry... and my God did just that!

"Sherry Clean" is still a very common term around camp and known by anyone who has ever volunteered at the camp.  Each volunteer leaves with the certification of being " Sherry Clean" machines!

I know the camp will never be a 5 star resort, but it can sure be as clean as one.  Now, I must admit that this rule does not apply to my house.  It's never "Sherry" clean!  As I write this blog, I see rooms that are a bit dusty, cluttered, and in need of some "Sherry" clean attention.  Maybe later.

  I am thankful that I can now laugh and joke again about "Sherry Clean".  It's a term that means so much to me.  It reminds me of the rough road I traveled in the summer of 2006, but more importantly, it reminds me of how God cleaned it all up and made me a much stronger person.

Have you had your "Sherry Clean" moments?  Share those with me. 

Remember... God is your friend... so is Clorox!

An Attempt to Stay in Touch.. with Reality and the World

Greetings and welcome to something very new to me... blogging.  If you know me, you know that I always have something to say, but putting words into written form is not so easy for me.  Please don't expect perfect grammar, spelling, but do expect typos.  None of which fall in my strength category.  Well, I am pretty darn good at typos!  Just expect to hear from me... my thoughts, ideas, and lots of rambling.  Read about my life at the camp and in Alaska.  Read about my faith, and sometimes lack of it.  Read about my goofy family and laugh at our expense.  Read about my weaknesses, mistakes, doubts, and fears.  Read about what makes me strong, confident, and happy.  Read about how ministry can be such a rush , but also how it can sometimes be a heart-wrenching experience.  I ask that you not judge me, but pray for me as I speak my heart.  I ask that you walk beside me on this amazing journey and share your thoughts.  Let's clean house and toss out the garbage in our lives... and in the process, we'll laugh and cry together.

Welcome to "Sherry Clean"!