Today we had to make a decision about whether or not to have our upcoming scheduled weekend retreat. We have 6 of these in a row - that's right - 6 weekends in a row - with about 200 kids at each of them. I only have to direct one and mine is, er was, scheduled for this weekend.
We added two weekend plus retreats (a weekend plus a day) to our schedule and booked the favorite band and speaker for those, at the favorite location. So those are booked - leaving this upcoming weekend, not. My conference director has never had to cancel one before and neither have I. And we are not the kind of people who look at money as a major issue in such a decision - instead, we have to look at how it will work with what staff, and how to best manage groups, how to give campers the best experience, etc. But, eventually money does have to play a factor. Especially if as christians we are to be good stewards of finances - which we are called to do.
We ended up having about 48 people signed up - 4 of those our family members, 24 of those JCs and other staff, band and speaker, leaving about 20 campers. It was time to make a decision.
And so we let other big wigs make it - neither one of us like to use the word no.
So I have spent the day calling campers and parents to tell them the news and moving campers to another camp if they could. I started at 8 and when I stopped with calls, it was 1!
I took a break, ran to the gym, got kids, ran to a friends house to take pictures for my latest photography assignment and managed to even catch up on email!
Phew! I hate cancelling things - but I know that God must have a bigger plan than I can see.
And last but not least - I am counting the days till Chris gets home. I think all three of us are getting to that desperately lost with Dad phase. 3!!!
