Wednesday, July 23, 2003

5:25 PM After a good service this AM, we took off for Presque Isle. But first we stopped in Houlton for our second visit to York’s Dairy Bar where we feasted on fried clams—the best we’ve ever had. Then northward, farther up into Maine, with New Brunswick only a few miles to the east. Past fields of slow-growing potatoes, “Pea Picker Wanted,” the scenery changes, more farmland, more homes, back into timberland, finally to Presque Isle, all the way through to the huge mall on the north side—the first we’ve seen since Bangor several hundred miles to the south. The next city north is Caribou. West is game and fishing and backpacking country. After a coast-to-coast cell phone call to Mark in Oregon, we stopped at the site of the first transatlantic balloon flight by the Double Eagle II in 1978. Then a stop at a gift shop to purchase Christmas ornaments. And we memorized the first half of 2 Timothy 3 on the way up and back. Now we’re back to the lodge, getting ready for supper with Elbridge and Judy and the Speers and a few others. While we were in Houlton, I talked to Kathy Duggins back at the church who said that construction is well under way—the top has been removed from the portico, and major work is going on in the Resource Center and in the gym area. And that’s just the beginning. I preach tonight on “Don’t Settle for Second Best” from Philippians 1:9-11.

7:32 AM Still raining in Maine. This AM the “million-dollar view” is almost completely obscured by low clouds, fog, and persistent drizzle. After the service at 10 AM, Marlene and I plan to drive to Presque Isle, about 2 hours north of here. When I asked one of the men what’s up there, he said, “Lots of potato fields.” There is a mall there (that’s really big, to go to a mall in Maine), plus at that point, we will be extremely far north in Maine (but you can still go further north). As I have already noted, northern Maine is very sparsely populated so many parts of it look unchanged from, say, 1750. Vast forests that stretch as far as the eye can see, pristine rivers, very few towns and not many paved roads in northern Maine. It’s a paradise for hunters and fishermen and folks who like to camp in the wilderness.

After the service last night, we went to the home of Roger Black and Karen Black for a fellowship time with some of the staff. Roger is the director of the camp, and it is would be hard to find a more laid-back leader. He and Karen do a wonderful job of creating a family feeling, which is why people come back to Living Waters year after year.

7:31 AM Here’s the Legacy Campaign prayer request for today: “Pray for the adult classes that will meet on Sunday mornings and midweek.”