Earl and Pearl Meet the Tiny Tornado of Camp Bee

In today’s episode, Earl and Pearl Traveler discover what happens when Patt shows up with the famous words, “I’ve got a little project.”

What follows is a whirlwind of hedge trimming, flowerbeds, devotionals, sore muscles, Hand and Foot competition, and one very exhausted Earl Traveler trying to survive what may be the most productive day in Camp Bee history.

So grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite camp chair, and join us for The Tiny Tornado of Camp Bee.

And remember, wherever the road leads, we glorify God as together we Travel With A Purpose.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Hello, fellow Stowturners. I'm your host, Dave Light, and welcome to Travel with a Purpose, a podcast designed to keep Stowjourners and friends informed, entertained, and inspired. In today's episode, we're going to hear about the time Earl and Pearl Traveler met the Camp Bee Tiny Tornado. By the time Earl and Pearl had been at Camp Bee for two weeks, they had learned several important truths. Coffee is essential. Duct tape is ministry equipment, and Thursday's potluck at the lodge is sacred. And then there's another one. When Pat Raines says I've got a little project, what she really means is congratulations, your schedule now belongs to me. Pat is a camp bee legend. Former office administrator, unofficial landscaper, and master of the yard blower. She's the queen of hand and foot. And the undisputed champion of organized productivity. She may be short in stature, but Pat has enough energy to power three golf carts and half the honeycomb. Well, one Tuesday morning, Earl and Pearl were quietly enjoying breakfast outside their RV when Pat appeared like an energetic garden gnome on a mission. Morning, Earl. Earl smiled nervously. Good morning, Pat. Well I've got a tiny project I need a little bit of help with. Earl immediately lowered her coffee cup. Oh dear. Earl saw Pat was pushing a wheelbarrow full of enough tools to start a small gardening store. Nothing major, she said. Just hedges by the lodge, mulch around the flower beds, organize supplies, repaint a few bird houses, and maybe clean up around the honeycomb. Earl blinked. By this week? Pat laughed. No, Earl before lunch. And so the workday began. By eight AM Earl was wrestling hedge trimmers. By nine thirty, he was moving flower pots and wondering how Pat could be in five places at once. By ten forty five, Earl had developed a personal relationship with his wheelbarrow and mulch. And then at exactly eleven thirty, Pat called out like an enthusiastic drill sergeant. Lunch break. The angels themselves could not have sounded sweeter. Earl, returning to the RV, slumped in his chair and sighed like a man who had wrestled a raccoon and lost an argument with a zero turn mower. Well then at one PM the can't be crew met for devotional. Songs were sung, scripture was shared, hearts were encouraged. Earl leaned over to Pearl and said This is the best part of the day. Pearl smiled. It's also the only part where Pat lets us sit down. Well as soon as devotional ended, Pat stood and called out All right, folks, break time is over. These projects aren't going to finish themselves just because we prayed over them. Earl pulled himself out of his chair. Groans and pops were heard all around, and Pat smiled and said, Good, that means Earl's warmed up and ready for my tiny project. The afternoon was a blur of rake, paintbrushes, ladders, and Earl repeatedly saying, I thought that was the last project. Well finally, at four thirty, Pat clapped her hands. Okay, folks, the work day is officially over. Any further effort counts as showing off. Earl dropped his rake so fast it bounced three times. Well later at six o'clock sharp, can't be shifted into evening mode. The lodge became the center of all activity. Some gathered around the television. Some swapped stories from years of sojourner adventures, and then there was hand in foot. Pat entered the lodge like Tiger Woods on the final hole of the masters. Sheila Little appeared and called out Are you ready to rumble? Cards were shuffled, chairs were scooted, and Pat pulled out her customized hand in foot wooden card rack. Earl sat down confidently beside Pearl. How hard can this be? Well three rounds later, Earl had learned several things. First, hand in foot was far more serious than it looked. Second, Pat played with the strategic precision of a high school band leader. Third, don't take too long playing your hand or you will hear from Pat. Earl, Pat said kindly but firmly, you play so slow the shuffle card machine is starting to yawn. Pearl laughed so hard everyone watching TV came over to see what Earl had done now. Finally, as the game ended, Aunt leaned back in her chair with the satisfied smile of a woman who had just conquered another hand and foot championship. Sheila Little grinned beside her and said, Around here, hand and foot is the only exercise where folks can pull a muscle reaching for the discard pile. Later, sitting in his camp chair under the RV awning, Earl smiled and said, Earl, this place is something special. Earl nodded. Hard work, good food, devotionals, friends, and evening fun. Well just then Pat walked by holding a rake. Don't stay up too late, Earl. Tomorrow we're planting shrubs. Earl stared up at the yawning like a man in a trance. Do shrubs count as tiny? Earl patted his arm. It can't be with Pat nothing is tiny. You know Hebrews ten twenty four tells us and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good work. It can't be Pat's tiny projects may wear everyone out, but they also bring people together in service, devotion, encouragement, and joyful fellowship. Earl learns that even busy days and sore muscles can become part of something meaningful when shared with God's people. Well, friends, thanks for listening to this podcast. I invite you to subscribe and share it with others. I'm your host, Dave Leighton, and remember we glorify God as together we travel with a purpose. Happy sojourning.