Mustaches and Dish Washers

I discovered a new respect for dish washers. I don't mean the machines but rather people who make it their job to wash dishes. This past weekend I was a dish washer for a men's retreat here at camp. We started washing dishes before breakfast and ended in time for about an hour break before having to be back for lunch. Then we washed lunch dishes until about an hour before dinner. Then we washed dinner dishes until about an hour or two before "mug-up" (a late night snack.) Then mug-up dishes lasted until around midnight or later. I am weary but the weekend is over. I can rest.

However, I will have to hurry my resting because tomorrow there is a new journey ahead. There is a guys hiking and camping trip to Mystic Beach. I have no idea where that is but it sounds magical so I'm in. We leave tomorrow morning.

I mentioned in a previous blog that this past week we were taking Foundations of Church Ministry. This was by far my favorite class we've taken. I've built up a lofty inventory of questions over the years regarding the church and this class proved to be very helpful in directing my thoughts. My attitude towards the church has changed in some respects. Many of my frustrations in regards to the church now only motivate me to be involved rather than run away. Hopefully that motivation won't be snuffed in light of disappointment.

Midnight tonight will mark the end of November. Which means that midnight tonight will mark the end of no-shave-november. Which means all of us men will be shaving our beards. For those who only have a months worth of attachment to their beards, this probably won't be such a big deal. For me, though, I haven't had a cleanly shaven face for over two years. I'm sad. I don't know what else to say. However, I think many of us will leave the mustache for a while. Just because. That should be fun.