Why not? When in Rome do as the Romans do. Isn’t that sound advice? The buffet was filled with some incredible choices. The fried okra was crisp just the way I like it. Of course, I had to have a generous helping of that. Throw in a fried pork chop and green beans and I was in no man’s land.
The food was delicious, but the conversation with three colleagues was even more compelling. They provided me an overview of opportunities and challenges faced by the children’s home and family ministry where they work. I immediately had the sense that with their skill set, they’d cross the finish line without a hitch. At the end of the day, the children and families they served would reap benefit from the progressive mindset and best practices they embraced.
The three also shared some ideas related to venues for the national conference that will take place in Little Rock later this year. In fact, we are touring a couple of downtown hotels later today.
So, your wondering about the potentially embarrassingly awkward moment I mentioned earlier. Thankfully it didn’t happen, but I couldn’t have been more surprised. Getting up at 3:15 a.m. doesn’t generally work well for me particularly if the day includes extended time in a car. When I initially planned my trip to Little Rock, I didn’t realize that the two children’s homes operated by the agency aren’t actually located in Little Rock. We were only visiting one, but it was located about three hours away. I was filled with a sense of panic. There was no way I could navigate six hours in a vehicle and stay awake.
I have been there, haven’t you? As it turned only, it was only I and the colleague I’ve known the longest that were making the trip to Harrison. Two lane country roads were the name of the game and I was in hog heaven. The scenery was spectacular.
Yet, I had the sense I had done this road trip before. It took me a while to piece it all together, but a decade ago I gave myself a jump-start on getting to a meeting in Branson, Mo by flying to Little Rock and driving. I drove the same two lane country roads that we were on yesterday. Some might call it a nondescript venture in the middle of nowhere, but it closely resembled paradise to me.
In fact, it was about the same time of the year ten years earlier that I had driven. The only difference between then and now is that the countryside was covered with snow ten years ago. In addition, I was the lone occupant in the car back then.
I feared that I’d drift off to sleep yesterday afternoon in the middle of a conversation, but it didn’t happen. In fact, I wasn’t even sleepy.
Across the years, I’ve had the good fortune of knowing a lot of different folks in the residential childcare arena and with few exceptions they have all been the kind of people you welcome as life-long friends.
The boys ranch program we visited yesterday is located in a very picturesque setting. As it turns out, I had been there before ten years ago. Our childcare association that was meeting in Branson had the good fortune of attending a banquet hosted in that location. Of course, the tour provided back then paled significantly in contrast to yesterday’s experience.
The boys ranch is located on 500 acres and if hunting or fishing in the middle of a remote picturesque setting interest you, the venue is perfect. Throw in the equestrian dimension of the program and the place seemingly had it all. They even have a covered indoor arena.
If horsing around isn’t your thing, the woodshop located on the property has all the gear you need to craft fine furniture or to turn wood. Auto mechanics and engine repair might also be a possibility. Those amenities are available as well.
In the process of touring the property, I managed to avoid one other awkwardly embarrassing moment. I still have heart palpitations with the thought. It was down by the river in an idyllic setting where they had fashioned a small bunkhouse and porch out of cedar. I was following the director inside the same frame structure, when he said: “We may not want to do this, there is a snake”. My eyes shifted to the floor as he said: “Actually there is two snakes”. Of course, by the time he completed the sentence, I was completely out the door running and screaming like a banshee.
Actually, the running and screaming isn’t true. That would have made the experience an awkwardly embarrassing moment. It was obviously uncharacteristic restraint on my part.
Having an opportunity to visit with folks working in that setting was a highlight for me. The commitment and passion they have for the work is amazing. It was a really good day. It was 9:00 p.m. before we got back and I’d call that a very full, but wonderful day.
The picture with the blog was taken outside a coffee shop in a remote setting along the way yesterday.
All My Best!
Don