Brasil

I'm sorry I've been away so long. I was detained by customs in Brasil.



It took me a long time to get free-but I kept praying and just like God promised in I Corinthians, He provided a way of escape.

I was tempted to stay because I'd had a really nice time there. I helped our mission team minister in several ways. One way was by cheering for the kids when they played games.

I liked watching the kids play this game. Until my hoof slipped down off the end zone and one of those blue guys kicked me.

I've been too busy to blog lately

What?

You don't believe me?

More VBS memories

Craft time at VBS is always fun. Well, except when your hooves get stuck to your project.

These are my friends, the Bayou Bullfrogs. They taught me this:

We're the Bayou Bullfrogs,
Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit,
We jump for Jesus,
I guarantee it!

I knew they served snacks at VBS! You don't think this is a Bayou Bullfrog, do you?

Hmm, kinda hard. Tastes almost plastic. I don't think this snack is homemade. I might have to talk to the ladies in the kitchen about this.

Aha! These look like VBS snacks!

Those Bayou Bullfrogs thought I wouldn't find the real snacks but they were wrong. Why do they think God gave me such a large, beautiful snout? For sniffing out snacks, of course.

VBS was so much fun. Lots of kids learned about Jesus, and several kids accepted or rededicated their lives to Christ.

I can't wait for next year. Maybe the theme will be something like "Jesus Loves the Little Piggies". Or perhaps "Hog Heaven". They could even use "Paco's Adventures".

I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment telling me which theme you like best. I'll make sure to pass the winning suggestion on to Vickie B. for next year.

Would



you

call

this

entrapment?

Crocodile Dock!

I know it's almost time for back to school but since it's still summer, I want to share some pictures from VBS with you.



This year's theme was Crocodile Dock. I thought it was awesome fun!

There were things I could climb on. That's a pretty important perk when you're as short as I am.

See, even pelicans are taller than me.

I was so excited when the kids asked me to join their game. I need to learn to ask questions before accepting invitations. Who knew they were playing Squash? As in, squash poor Paco.

I'm feeling better now, thanks for asking.

The search continues...

I'm still looking for Pastor Paul-without success.

I got to enjoy some time around the campfire, swapping stories about Pastor Paul and eating a couple s'mores.



I thought I was going to get a kiss from a pretty girl-but her husband got in the way.

No sign of him here, either.

Have you seen Pastor Paul anywhere?

I even asked Super Dan. He told me Pastor Paul was probably resting and I should go check his campsite.

Do you ever feel like you're just going in circles?

Looking for Pastor Paul

I went to Family Camp to look for Pastor Paul.

I knew where he and Kay always camp so I went there right away. What happened to their fifth wheel? I thought their pop-up days were in the past.

I found a nice family there, but it wasn't Pastor Paul's family. Once the ladies realized what a nice pig I am, they quit screaming and I was able to resume my search.

I asked Ben if he had seen Pastor Paul around. He sent me to some guy who sings like Elvis.

Then I saw Seth. He suggested I check the GaGa pit. He said that everybody goes to the GaGa pit. Unfortunately, when I found the GaGa pit, I was once again mistaken for a ball.

Pastor Nate rescued me from the GaGa pit. He thought I wanted to play a little football. I didn't.

Pastor Burton sent me to the Kincaid School of Dance. He said Pastor Paul always liked to go there during Family Camp when he was younger.

I guess he was close friends with the owners years ago. When I told them who I was looking for, they told me they didn't know where he was but when I find him, they'd like me to let them know. They've been trying to find him for years.

A little more New York

I realized that I never finished sharing the rest of my New York pictures. I'll remedy that right now.



The team was handing out these bags one day. They wrote a verse on the bag and then filled it up with something. I'm still not quite sure what they filled it with because when I tried to investigate, I was intercepted. Those teens were watching my every move.

I rode the subway once, too. It was fascinating. I wondered why no one wanted to sit by me. Maybe I still had deli breath.

I tried to catch up with Pastor Paul when the team ate at a Chinese restaurant. He always seems to slip away just before I arrive. I nibbled a bit of his leftover food anyhow. I knew he wouldn't mind.

I couldn't even find him at bedtime. I liked trying his breathing machine. Maybe when I get home again, he'll let me use it sometimes.

Unless, that's where I lost my gum?

I'll take roast beef on rye

I suppose it's kind of cliché to visit a deli when in New York but it would be even worse if you didn't go to one. I've always heard there's nothing like a New York deli.



Inga and Dorothy introduced themselves to me. Aren't they nice girls?



Then, I took a tour of the deli. I saw a sign advertising Boar's Head Brand. I knew I liked this deli.

Anything named "Boar's Head" has to be good, don't you think?

Wait a minute.

Boar's Head Brand HAM?

That's just wrong.

Father's Day

(Humming softly) Take me out to the ballgame,

Take me out with the crowd,

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back...(stops humming)

Oh, wait.

Today is special. Pastor Paul isn't going to show up here, ready to play ball with me. It's Father's Day.

I still want him to know I'm thinking of him so I guess I'll have to tell him with poetry:

I once had a dad,

When I was just a lad,

I lost him long ago,

I still miss him so.

Now Pastor Paul is like a father to me,

More caring and kind than he has to be,

I'm so glad God gave us to each other,

Like a father to me but, in Christ, a brother.

Happy Father's Day, Pastor Paul!

A further clue

Here's another clue for the game! Don't forget to leave me a comment with your guesses!



While we were in Central Park, I got to play in the sand box with Alannah, Lizzie, and Lakeisha. It was a lot of fun, even though it was dry and there wasn't any mud to roll around in.

Have you figured out the clue yet?

Notice Alannah and Lizzie. No black jackets or even long sleeves. Bracelets.

Notice Lakeisha. Green shirt. Short person.

Is that any help?

Central Park game

Today has been such a lovely day that I was reminded of our time in Central Park.



I got a good aerial view. It's a big park!


Now here's the game.

Feel free to leave your answers in the comment section. I'm thinking of sending an autographed picture to the winner.

1. Can you guess whose arm appears in the picture?

2. Name four things that are different in the two pictures above.

I'm anxious to hear your answers. I'd really like to know who it was that grabbed me from behind and held me up there.

Times Square Church

Another place our group visited in New York was Times Square Church.

Pastor Sarah still has a lot of friends here, from her time working here. You'd think, with her history with this place, I'd be able to sit in a gold seat instead of these red ones, wouldn't you? But no, rules are rules and even though I claim Sarah as a sister, I still couldn't sit in one of those reserved seats. I think I qualify as "pastor's family", don't I?



I'm sure those gold seats go up and down much more easily than these red ones. I had to jump up and down several times to get this seat to open. Thankfully, I didn't get squished while trying.

I've decided to look on the bright side. I'm much more photogenic on these red seats than I would be on the gold, and I'm sure Jesus would have chosen to sit in the red seats if he came to this church. So, I'm content to stay here.

Aah, comfort. Soft and squishy, just like a theater.

I could go for some popcorn about now.