When Little Things Are Big
- Cheyenne
- May 26
- 5 min read
Hello friends and family!
Our corner of the Sandbox is gearing up for summer! Temperatures are rising. (And rising and rising.) Themes and activities are ready for both junior and teen camps. Projects are planned. Spring cleaning is (mostly) done. Soon we’ll say goodbye to our faithful Ministry Crew, take a week-long deep breath, and plunge into chaos! But first, a moment to reflect:
Camp News
The first week in April was fondly christened “Dirt Week” by our resident staff. We had a team of equipment operators volunteer to do nothing but move dirt from sun-up to sun-down. (Have you ever been woken up by a 67,000-pound rock truck driving past your window? It’s a thrilling experience.) The team was able to clear, level, and build a berm around the land that will be our new Treasure Yard. This is a big step in the development and organization of the shop area, so we’re thankful for everything they were able to accomplish.
Last month saw several building projects reach a finish stage in time for summer. The meeting room, tack room, and some of the corrals at the new horse area are ready to be used by Horsemanship campers. The cabin designated “R2” sports a dorm-like design ideal for housing our growing number of summer staff. These spaces allow us to eliminate distractions and minister more efficiently to the people God sends us over the summer.
An increase in projects does not mean a decrease in camp! Ironwood served a number of groups over the last few months, both kids and adults. I got to teach a workshop for our sponsored Women’s Retreat, and it was fun to see so many ladies eager to strengthen their relationship with God. We know of one lady who got saved at that retreat after a conversation with her pastor’s wife. Praise God that He works in lives and that He chooses to use His people to do so!
Palkki News
Dirt Week kept Gabe busy and slightly nervous. Thankfully, there were no major breakdowns, and no irreparable damage done to the various vehicles and equipment that were used hard that week. He also got the mobile bathroom unit (think: outhouses on a trailer) functioning in time for a church to use them on a desert camping trip. Of course, there was the usual number of work trucks in and out of the shop with divers maladies. On top of all that, Gabe undertook the massive project of replacing the drop ceiling in our living/dining/kitchen area with drywall. It took almost a month, but the result was worth the effort! (If you live in an ‘80s singlewide trailer and you’re wondering what is between you and sky, believe me, you don’t really want to know.) Of course, we couldn’t have done it without a crew of friends and family who gave their time, energy, and talent to demolish the old ceiling, install rafters, run wiring, and do so much more. God has blessed us with an amazing support group!
I’ve been asked, “How are you feeling?” hundreds of times in the last several weeks and I’m still not sure how to answer. Kinda fat, pretty tired, a little cranky, but mostly… the same way I’ve always felt? God has been good in allowing me a relatively easy first pregnancy. Baby Girl appears to be healthy and has started practicing her Irish dancing for next St. Paddy’s Day. When I’m not napping to recover all the energy she’s using, I’ve been busy drywalling, spring-cleaning, and trying to keep Diesel in line. (At this point, we’re not sure if we have a large puppy or a small velociraptor.) One of the highlights of my April was our church workday. It was a blessing to work alongside my Lifepoint family in a way my previous schedule wouldn’t allow. Heidi and I also created our second cake masterpiece, which included a daring foray into black cocoa frosting and powdered food coloring.
There. We’ve reflected on the last seven weeks and found that a lot can happen! This fact of life lends urgency to Paul’s admonition in Ephesian 5:15-16. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.”
But what is the best use of the time? Rethinking my personal schedule has forced me to consider this question many times in the last month and a half. There are always so many things to do! I gave you the highlights, but I didn’t even mention camping, yard work, fellowship time with Ministry Crew, dropping the transmission out of the white Jeep, doctor’s appointments, camp activities, Dairy Queen dates… With so many options, what things should be taking up our time?
I’ve regularly fallen for the trap of making little things into big things. Sure, it’s important to get the next coat of drywall mud on the ceiling. But it’s nothing compared to encouraging my husband when he comes home from a hard day at work. On the other hand, often big things seem little. Watching our daughter open and close her mouth via ultrasound is a teeny, tiny thing. Yet it means so much. In the same way, the most important things don’t usually have the flamboyance of a huge, urgent, world-shaking task. Big things look more like praying for my siblings who live far away. Or enjoying the enthusiastic affection of my puppy. Or taking the time to biblically adjust my attitude and mindset.
What little things can you do to make the best use of your time?
Love in Christ,
Gabe and Cheyenne Palkki
PS: A word about support - we do need more! We've been asked by a few people how our support levels have changed without my paycheck and in expectation of our family growing. The numbers are a little complicated, but here's the short version: we are currently at about 34% of full support for a family with children. In translation, we need to raise between $660 and $1700 more per month to be self-sustaining at Ironwood in the future. We hope to present our ministry in a few more churches over the next several months, but missionary work has always been a work of faith. God's timing is perfect and His providence is guaranteed! Join us in prayer and expectation of Divine aid in this area!
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