This past Sunday, we had our 'evening' services at 1pm, special speaker, lunch, etc...It felt great to set up for lunch, eat with everyone, then all work together to clean up and meet again to study more... felt very 1st century-esque... though I was worn out by 1:10pm... and the song leader (Sipper) had us stand up more than I could handle... anyhow, I digress....
Afterwards, me and a friend at church named Mark too his bass boat to the Coosa river. This is the river that runs through Wetumpka. The boat ramp we used is no more than 10 mintues from my house in a nice park set up by the city (See the ferry boat in the picture on the right, that's where we put in at.)
As we got to the boat dock Mark asked me if I want to get in the boat as he backs it in the water. Having never driven a boat (And not wanting to make a test drive on a $10,000 boat that isn't mine) I declined. He asked if I wanted to back the truck down the ramp... same reasons, I said no. He said he would back the boat in and I would just hold a rope tied to the front of the boat to hold it till he parks and comes back... little did I know that rope was very old and frayed...
I get by the boat and unhook it from the trailer. It takes me 10 or 20 seconds and Mark says "Don't untie that rope!" I said "I am not!" because I wasn't...
I get the boat unhooked and grab the wad of rope... he backs the truck in and the boat floats away. As I am giving it slack, the boat is not taking andy slack... I stare at the boat and in slow motion I am thinking "There is no rope connected to that boat..." Mark yells "I told you not to untie that rope!" I stare, amazed at what is happeneing... "GO get my boat!" Without thinking I march into the waters of the Coosa. I pay no mind to the temperature. But immediately feel my shoes filling with water... pants clinging to my legs, underwear getting soaked, and not water up to my chest. I try to push the boat back by kicking my legs... no good... I climb onto the boat and sit in the drivers seat... I look at the controls like I am sitting in a 747. I look back to see if Mark is there to guide me... he isnt, he is parking the truck...
I turn the key, seems simple enough... nothing... I try again...nothing...
I see Mark and he says "Put the trolling motor down!" Ah! Trolling motor, yes! I know how to use one of those! I go to the front of the boat and realize this trolling motor is totally different from mine... He yells for me to pull the rope (That unlocks it to go in the water)... i see no rope. Eventually, some men on the bank tel me to go to the back of the boat and pump the motor... I do it... then turn the key... nothing... i look to them desperately and he says "Choke the motor by pushing in the key!" I do it... POWER!
I steer the boat back up river to the dock... Mark then tells me sorry his rope broke...
Meanwhile I am fishing for 5 hour soaked and catch nothing...
Oh, did I mention my cell phone was with me when I went into the water? It didnt work after that. I got it home, put a hair dryer in front of it and today it is working flawlessly... Kyocera... buy one if you need a cell phone.
8 comments:
I got a preview of this story last eve...still funny!
The church in France did this. They had one long service in the middle of the day with food and no second, evening service.
Every second sunday, here, we have a pot luck dinner and a second service at 1.
I love it. Sure the service is longer, but it builds better fellowship, saves gas money in commute and frees up my evening. I wish all churches would do this all the time.
I've driven my dads boat a few times. It's crazy. You feel like you're going a lot faster than you really are. And with no roads or travel ways you really have to pay attention to those around you.
Sorry I made y'all stand up or so long, Jamison.
I did it because people sing better standing and that song (The Greatest Commands) is so beautiful and powerful, I really wanted the sound to be nice.
You should have heard it from up in the pulpit. Y'all made a beautiful sound!
I like the all day thing up until Luke and every other child starts screaming bloody murder.
That's why Rachel took him home after lunch for a nap while I stayed.
Then, she brought him back for an Easter egg hunt after that, so we didn't get home till 4:30 PM. Twas a LONG day.
Not sure if I'd rather jump in a river and swim down a boat or chase 100 overtired, screaming children who already had too much candy...
Tough call...
Yeah, the extended service isn't such a good idea for small children. Maybe if they had children's church. I heard some mothers who never use the nursery had to put their kids in there that afternoon.
And Easter egg hunt; only a good idea if people actually come and bring their share of the candy/eggs! The littlest children (mine included) got very little in their baskets. A couple got absolutely nothing. Fortunately Luke didn't have the slightest idea what was going on and was therefore not upset.
Jolly good story. I love the lunch & early service. I don't think we do enough of those. Only problem is our elders like to tell us ministers (usually me or the college minister) to show up at 6:00 in case anyone comes to serve them communion. Like that is the only thing that we are commanded to do on Sunday.
ugh, that would suck... one of your elders needs to stay...
They probably figure what everyone else does. "That's why we pay those guys..." That does suck...
I’m so sorry that it has taken me so long to read this post. Very funny! Ya got all wet and didn’t catch a thing. I would guess it was the fish that recognized you and pulled the boat away breaking the rope.
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