Cooper...helping out at VBS!

Why am I doing this?...because God wants me to be available

Why is it so hot?...because it is the middle of Summer, in Florida, Southwest Florida, and I am wearing a dog suit complete with tail and yes a nylon vented dog head mask.

Had they asked me to do this before I showed up with my kids at VBS, would I have volunteered?....most likely, no!

I must say it takes me back a few years, like all the way back to sixth grade. Mr. Copeland and his annual Everglades trip!...the event that elementary students looked forward to every year. The right of passage from childhood to adulthood rested on this sleepover in the woods.

My parents were finally divorcing. I say finally because we had been through moving state to state, and trial separation, then patching up again, now this. The final ax. It was a bitter sweet time, and a very vivid memory.

Quiet by nature, I virtually shut down. I felt on the verge of tears at all times. Our camp leader seemed to make it his mission to get me to come out of my shell. He picked me as the raccoon for his campfire play. I didn't mind, being that I was designated catcher for my softball team, I was quite used to heavy sweaty gear.

What I wasn't used to was being center of attention and entertaining others. But once I started going I was in bliss, I felt like I had come home. The bands of love and gauze were being wrapped around my deeply wounded heart enabling me to function and let others in, all while healing!

I had grown a little taller, a little wiser, all thanks to a little coon outfit and a discerning camp leader.