This past week I spent 7 days with my wife and children in a house on Lake Chelan. We were able to stay for free because our friends Aaron and Monica have super cool parents who, unlike many small children, have learned to share. The blueish-green waters of Chelan were unseasonably warm and the beach was positioned perfectly north of the sun for hours of uninterrupted refreshing rays. When it was time to return home we felt like the stay was just right, not too short and not too long. The following are a few thoughts I had while in Chelan.

1. Clean up after yourself.  This is the third year we stayed at the Chelan House for free. The main reason we were able to make a return trip this year was because Christina (my wife) stayed up till three in the morning on the last night of the trip a year ago cleaning up. Sounds like overkill but after we left last year our friends got a call from their parents (the owners) that said “The Owen Family are welcome any time” based on how clean we, I mean Christina left the house.

2. Naps are not just for toddlers.  Every day after a few hours at the beach in the morning, we would walk back to the house for lunch and a nap. Most people go on vacation and feel warn out when they return to the real world because they never took time to slow down and rest. We played hard every day and went swimming more times than I can count, but those naps helped me to feel fresh and rested when I got in the mini-van for the five hour drive, with potty stops and headed for home.

3. Celebrate little things.  Last year Jordan, our middle child was not real interested in water above his knees.  This year he wanted to see the bottom of the lake, at least in the shallows. He was so brave on the first day at the lake and we made a big deal of it.  Why make a big deal of little things at the lake?  Because Jordan is a big deal to us and we want him to know we are watching the little things and later he will know we are paying attention to the big things. I really love Jordan.

4.  Rethink how you pack.  When we left for Chelan the van was loaded inside and out. There was no leg-room in the van and the car-top-carrier slowed us down on the drive. When it was time to pack for the trip home I was able to make several adjustments inside the van I had never made before and our entire load fit with leg-room to spare. I even folded the car-top-carrier nicely and placed it in the van. How did that happen?

Chelan was a blast, it has turned into a great tradition for our family.  Once again we have been blessed at the beach.

Nice Catch

This past weekend we spent some time with our friends at their super secret vacation house.  Ok, so it’s not so secret but it was super. We were right on the beach and it was sunny without a single cloud all three days.  One of the highlights was on the second day when we took a small boat out a few hundred yards off shore where my oldest son caught his very first fish.  Not much to look at or eat but it was a great moment. I’d call it a win.

Our host’s were more than gracious and welcoming. The house we stayed was just off the beach with lush green grass between front deck and sand. I was amazed at how friendly this beach community had become. Everyone was friendly, sharing beach toys, fishing tips, fire pits for s’mores, samples of  fine cuisine, front lawns and more. The people of this community remembered my name after the first introduction and carried on meaningful conversation with me many times over the three days. Again, I was amazed!  

A Very Fine Read

Evangelism”  I read for a second time a few weeks back.  The Celtic Church was part of the Roman Church for the most part, but the Celtic believers faith communities were more welcoming to outsiders than Roman faith communities. There was always room for guests and when a guest arrived that guest was the most important person in the Celtic community of faith. The Celtic communities were always open to so called outsiders who were not part of the faith.

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

  The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Now, to my new friends at the Saratoga Beach Community, may you always be welcoming and warm to outsiders. May you be the model for how community should be lived out at the beach. 

Blessings and enjoy the clams.

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