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A Post-Thanksgiving Day Meditation & Discourse on a Unifying Christian Doctrine Citing the Ties that Bind Pilgrims, Teens-at-Risk, and Men & Women of All Ages and Circumstances to their Maker

The day before Thanksgiving, I downloaded a quiz on Pilgrims and then gave it to a few of our Trans Students to take. They scored better than I expected, correctly answering questions such as, "Where did the Pilgrims live while building their homes?" The answer: Aboard the Mayflower. I missed that one. But after the grading was done, I began thinking about the questions on that test, and how trivial they seemed when compares to the overarching themes traditionally associated with the telling of the first Thanksgiving Story. The fact that nowhere on the quiz was there a single question about the Pilgrim's faith may  have caused more than one Pilgrim to roll over in his grave. An omission of that scale doesn't bode well for our children's education in the 21st century, much less for their spiritual development. Lest we forget, the religious issues that separated the Pilgrims from the Church of England in the 17th century were the type that sparked controversies, divided families, and jailed individuals, who contended that there was more salvation in a single Bible than fistful of papist decrees could ever hope to secure. And that, as Paul Harvey would say, is "the rest of the story," which until recent times, has been the story. So, if by continuing to tell the Thanksgiving story in the same way the first Pilgrims told it to their children keeps it from turning into a game of trivial pursuit, then so be it.

By the time William Bradford and his fellow Pilgrims set sail for America, they had no illusions about a Christian's lot in life. Their homespun coats, like their lives, were visibly frayed around the edges, attesting to the true cost of discipleship. As a persecuted religious minority, the Pilgrim's faith has been tried en extremis, and their homes and livelihoods abandoned more than once. Nevertheless, they each believed, perhaps even more than their Christian counterparts do today, that God was with them. Even after arriving at Plymouth Bay as "strangers in a strange land," they knew they weren't alone. Despite of the cold, wet, and hunger which followed them ashore, more penetrating still, was the feeling that greeted them, and the inspiration that rendered it nearly audible to their souls: "Be of good cheer, it is I...".

The troubled youth living here in lock-down did not arrive aboard the Mayflower. Few, if any, can tell you what's in the Bible, much less know what it is like to be mocked for holding a religious belief. Yet, they do know something about persecution. Not the sort of persecution that existed among the Pilgrims, centuries ago, but rather the modern day translation of it known as "abuse." Whether one is being victimized, or "treated badly" (Oxford Dictionary) because of one's faith, or because of a behavioral disorder, the effe4cts are the same for both: fear (of one thing or another), and flight (to escape the source of that fear). If you could look into the case files of nearly every youth in placement, you'd find a long list of fearful issues, and the toxic maneuvers they used in attempting to flee them.

I think it is safe to say, that rarely, if ever, does an incoming student view their new placement with the same emotion as the Pilgrims who first viewed Plymouth Bay after months at sea. But despite the generations and outward differences that separate these two groups, they share one thing in common-- they both longed to know that their situations weren't hopeless. As already noted, the Pilgrims felt their hope confirmed the moment they set foot on that rocky Massachusetts shoreline, recognizing through their tears that their prayers had been answered.

But that about our troubled teens who just "came ashore" with nothing more than the proverbial shirt on his back, and who's never prayed before in his life? Are they any less deserving of an answer to their "groanings that can't be uttered?" Of course not. Which brings me to our weekly on-campus scripture group, open to any student who desires to know what it feels like to hear the words, "Be of good cheer, it is I." The group is held every Friday in the downstairs library. Although boys and girls meet separately, anyone can come who wants to. Our discussions focus on essential Christian doctrines, foremost among them is the ennobling truth that each of us, regardless of race, creed, or national origin, is literally a child of God.

Now, if you were to ask me why the students keep returning to that same doctrine more than any other, I would answer, it's because each time we discuss it, they receive their own spiritual confirmation, if only fleetingly, that they are, indeed, the "offspring of God." (Acts 17:29). By believing that those three words came from their Heavenly Father, they can't help but look up, as if to say, "Tell me more." When children have the faith to engage God in that way, miracles occur. I've seen it happen, and their peers have seen it happen too.

I could go on, but it's late, and so I'll save the rest of my discourse for another day. In the meantime, in the spirit of "making spirits bright," let me suggest, that if you feel your son or daughter might be interested in learning more about what the Scriptures say, and possibly even hearing the Christmas Story as recorded in Luke 2, please encourage them to stop by any Friday in the downstairs library, and listen-in. You never know. But even if he or she doesn't join our little group, that's okay. I'm convinced, now more than ever, that even the most stone-cold teenage gangsta among us--whether they realize it or not--has benefitted because of their peers who come to this group, and who pray for them. How could they not help but be, when love is spoken here?

Blessings always,

Barry

Thanksgiving Article in the Local Paper 2008
http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20081126/NEWS01/81126001&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Also in an effort of trying to build unity between the parents and school we have created a Red Rock Canyon School Group on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=46293304121

Feel free to add pictures and comments.

The Trans students produced a professional-looking and artfully crafted calendar for 2008. It's now available for sale for $7.00. Half the proceeds will be donated to the coummunity food bank, and the other half will cover production costs. Please contact Chiloe, our receptionist, if you'd like a copy. We've included a couple of the calendar pages so you can see what we're talking about.


Feb. 13,2008

We have another start to a beautiful day in Dixie (the nickname given to this region by early Mormon pioneers who envisioned a cotton growing economy similar to the one that once flourished in the "old south"). Temps are predicted to climb into the low 60's and melt a few more patches of snow in and around the area. (We had a dilly of a winter storm a couple of weeks ago, and the "desert rats" among us are happy about this belated warming trend).

A couple of weeks ago the trans students had a taste of what it's like to work on an assembly line, when all of us travelled to the local LDS food cannery for a few hours of canning beans for the needy who live within the five county area. Wearing hairnets, aprons, and gloves, each student was given a small repetitive task to perform, and instructed to stick with it until all the beans were canned. And, believe me, there were a lot of beans. It's this kind of hands-on volunteer service that teaches our students more about the meaning of "higher values," and what they "look like," than anything that's ever been published on the subject. Another, more ambitious student service campaign, which will last until the end of 2008 and beyond, is scheduled to begin next Saturday, 2/21. On that day, all available Trans students (those who don't have scheduling conflicts because of their off-campus jobs) will be going to Valley of Fire State Park near Lake Mead, Nv. for an entire day of helping Park officials with their landscaping needs. In exchange, the students will not only be privileged to spend the day in one of the southwest's premier state parks, but they will receive a souvenir or two for their efforts. Other nearby state and National parks have also expressed an interest in our "Have Free Student Service Will Travel" idea, and we're hoping to get a confirming email(s) from them soon.

Yesterday a few of our Trans students took in a half-day workshop at a nearby technical college in St. George. The event was dubbed, "The Reality Store," and it was designed for Washington county's youth at-risk population. Professionals from the community put together a program that was at once instructive, and most importantly, fun. Each of the students were told to visit a series of 12 booths which were set up to introduce them to different aspects of the "real world," and what they can expect to encounter when they're on their own. Each student then randomly received a slip of paper with a hypothetical profession written on it, and then challenged to make a monthly budget based on the average income for that job. One of our Trans students discovered he was a "groundskeeper," who made a monthly income of $990.00. He then had to go to each of the 12 volunteer manned booths and find out from each one what it would cost him per month for his "housing..."transporta-tion" ..."food," and so forth. Suffice it to say, he needed to get a "second job" in order to make ends meet. But he wasn't alone at the "Financial Aid" table. There were other young people like himself who had to get "second job." What was the clear message for these students? Get as much education and/or training as you can...and do it now! "65% of today's professions require some kind of training." I'm hoping more of our students will be able to attend "The Reality Store" the next time it's offered.

Other News: Welcome back, Tami! After nearly two months of convalescence, our unstoppable Lady Liaison has again returned to the fray with her customary smile and energy, making sure that each of your children's needs are being met in the way that you would expect them to be.

Remember folks, Parent Weekend is Mar. 7-9. Theme is "Shamrock at the Rock." It's a chance for all of you with a smidgin of green in your souls to start rehearsin' with us for St. Patty's Day!

Until next time,

Barry


April 30, 2008

Please don't ask me why we haven't had any Parent News lately. To spare us all some embarrasment, let's just say we had some "technical difficulties."

Let's see, where do we want to start? How about our last Parent Weekend in March? I spoke with Nanci and asked her if she could recall some highlights and this is what she had to say:

"It was the first time ever for our Native
American kids to "drum and dance" before an audience. The theme was "Shamrock at the Rock," and for dinner we had a traditional Irish meal, corn beef and cabbage, but no green jello, (thankfully!)."

I interrupted Nanci's waning nostalgia for the Shamrock show by asking her what she was planning for the next Parent Weekend (June 6-8). She said her theme was "Field of Dreams," and that she envisioned turning the back field on campus into a literal sand lot ball diamond, and using it for a Parent/Student team match-up. She would like the Trans students to serve the Saturday meal like real vendors do at major league ball parks, complete with peaked paper hats and waist-high food trays strapped around their necks.

Nanci also wanted me to tell you that one of our new staff, Xo Xiaoping on the Green Unit, has offered to start an aerobic dance class for the girl units. In addition to that, two other evening enrichment classes have been proposed. If everything works-out, one of the classes will be taught by an off-duty Washington County Deputy Sheriff who works at nearby Purgatory Prison. However, this class is not the kind of class you might think a Deputy Sheriff would teach. You see, this Deputy Sheriff happens to be a 61 year old woman who once danced with a professional ballet company for 23 years. Though admittedly past her prime as a dancer, her passion for dance is as strong as ever, which is why she wants to volunteer her time and talent to teach our young ladies the basics of that dance form. "You'd be surprised to know how much in common a professional ballet dancer has with the type of young woman who come to programs like your's," she remarked (or in words to that effect). I didn't think to ask her to elaborate on that statment at the time, but I'm wondering now if her own self-described passion for dance was anything like an addiction. But we'll save that question for another day. All of this to say, Red Rock's program curriculum is growing in culturally exciting directions!

Other news: Yesterday marked the first appearance on campus of a newly formed male unit. It joins with three others---Blue, Brick, and Steel---which have been functioning at near capacity now for the past few months. The name of the new unit is "Copper." The dozen boys who make up this new unit were drawn from the existing units as a way of lightening their respective loads. A sigh of relief from Staff and Students alike seems to best describe the reaction to this welcome change.

Recent off-campus service activities for our Transition Students included a day of chopping, shovelling and raking on the Arizona Trail, about a three hour drive from here. Beyond becoming acquainted with a variety native species of high desert wildlife, we may have also spotted a California Condor gliding off in the distance. It was a beautiful sunny day, but there is still some controversy as to which boys broke a sweat and which ones didn't The four Trans students who went with me (three from Brick, and one from Steel) were introduced to the realities of hard, "backbreaking" labor. However, after a few hours of it, they quickly got together and discovered new ways of leaning on a tool. (Perhaps they also gained a new appreciation for the value of a good education).

This coming Saturday we will once again be going out into the neighboring desert to do some volunteer clean-up work on the banks of the Virgin river.

Our mountain biking program is underway again after winding down for the winter. Two students from Blue Unit are eligible to go out riding twice a week, and they're loving it.

It's past dinner time. Hope to see you all for Parent Weekend. And don't forget to bring your mitts!

See you then,

Barry

June 24, 2008

If you were here for our last Parent Weekend, then you know that the entertainment part of our Saturday evening dinner show sorta...flopped. But not for a lack of effort! Thank you again, Nanci, for all of the time and energy you and your girls put into turning the west hall into a Field of Dreams, even if the dreams didn't turn out the way we had hoped. Also, thanks to the kitchen for adding to our rural Americana theme by serving up plate fulls of "meat and potatoes."

There was nothing disappointing, however, about the graduation that was held that same weekend. Four of our trans students received their certificates after successfully completing nearly a year of intensive PPC-centered treatment. One of the young men, from Brick unit, commented in his farewell speech about how his time at Red Rock had produced not only the kind of changes he felt would last him a lifetime, but how it had also given him a "second family" (of caring staff and peers) who had been there for him from the moment he realized he was ready for a "second birth."

The students on Transition have chalked-up l5 off-campus service activities since April of this year. We've "broken a sweat" doing everything from shovelling landscape rock at Valley of Fire State Park near Lake Meade, Nv., to recycling trash at Bryce Canyon National Park (which we turned into an overnight camp-out complete with tents without set-up instructions, a contest of who could eat the most smores, and stars peeking through the pines. What a great trip! But that's not all...eight students and staff will be heading out again this weekend for a two hour trek over a dirt road to Mt. Trumball, about 10 miles or so from a point looking down into the Grand Canyon. The BLM (Dept. of Interior) folks have asked us to help cut-out an invasive species of vegetation with the use of their fire tools. After a day of that in l00 degree temperatures, I'm sure they'll be ready to dive into an air conditioned all-you-can-eat buffet after we get back to "civilization."


By the time your child is ready to walk across the stage of the west hall to receive his/her graduation certificate, they'll have one more thing to be proud of...the blisters on their hands, and a better idea of what is meant by a "strong work ethic."

Our mountain biking program is on hold for the next few weeks...at least until I can get my right arm out of this cast. Hate to miss these early morning rides with my other riders, but that's the breaks.

Until next time...

Barry

July 28, 2008

We're going to try and do another student car wash this Saturday...if it doesn't rain. Past couple of weeks we've had to cancel due to threats of thunderstorms. The trans students have nearly reached their dollar goal for the paint balling activity they want to do next month. I still don't understand the appeal of getting shot at with enough force to leave welts and bruises all over your body...and, then, to pay somebody for it! But if I were to raise that as an argument against the idea, they'd tell me I just don't know how to have fun. Ahhh, to be young again (not).

Our service activities continue to roll forward. If you'd seen the front page of last Thursday's (7/24) edition of the St. George Specturm, you'd know that I mean that literally. Below the headline, "Community celebrates ADA," was the photograph of six of our trans students marching side-by-side with persons in wheelchairs, all of them carrying signs or holding banners celebrating the l8th anniversary of the American Disabilites Act.
I liked one of the marcher's signs, which read, -D = "is-able."

When our own marchers were later asked in group about that experience, each of them seemed to echo the other when they commented about how "good it felt," and how surprised they were that the people of St. George were so supportive of that kind of activity. I remember telling them, that if they would continue doing that kind of service after they returned home, that that would be the best relapse prevention plan they could ever follow. Am I exaggerating? Not if you believe the world's leading expert in the field of rehabilitation, who said, "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

I got my cast off last week and so I'm hoping to get our mountain bike program up and running again. We've all been missing the heartpumping whoopdeedoo singletrack that makes southern Utah a mountain biker's mecca.

Currently I have six young men from four different male units on Transition level, and four young ladies from three units on the girl's side. Hopefully your student will be coming-up soon.

Parent weekend is fast approaching (Sept. 5-7), and knowing something about how Nanci's preparations are coming along for the student fashion show, you won't want to miss this one!

Take Care,

Barry


Aug.19, 2008

I just got off the phone with the woman who is coordinating volunteer assignments for the 75th anniversary of the founding of Cedar Breaks Nat'l Monument. This coming Saturday she wants our Trans students to direct traffic into the parking lot of the Visitor's Center which sits off highway 14, about half-way to the juncture which takes you into the ski resort town of Brian Head, elevation about 10,000 feet. I told her we'll be there, almost a dozen strong.

Once again, our offers of service to neighboring state and national parks are being happily accepted---which is a win-win stituation for the budget-strapped agencies that manage these public venues, and also for our Trans students, who are learning first-hand why it's more blessed to give than to receive.

Last week we travelled with three female Trans students to Bryce Canyon National Park for an overnight campout and a day of park service. We were welcomed by a clear starry night and except for some occasional laughter from a nearby campsite, and the crackling of our fire, there was only the encircling stillness of the place to get used to. And if that's not enough nature-loving imagery for you, how about the flaming marshmallow(s) this writer ate straight off the stick without hands?

The next day we tied-in with a young college student from New York who was doing a summer internship for the Park Service. She showed us how to recycle the empty plastic bottles and cans and then gave us a few tips on what to look for if we had time for a hike. After lunch we chose to take the Navajo Loop trail, which drops a half-mile into the canyon before it brings you back up, one labored breath at a time. After we got back into the van, I think we all commented on the number of foreign tourists we encountered while on our hike: Besides the Park Rangers, and a young man wearing a BYU T-shirt, I don't recall hearing anyone else speaking English. There was a young couple from Italy who asked brokenly to borrow some salt from us; a frustrated Frenchman trying to get his three young sons to stand still long enough for him to take their picture, and more people from the Pacific rim with Nikons around their necks than you can imagine.

Well, you know what we're doing this weekend. Incidentally, if for some odd reason you arrive early for Parent Weekend (9/5-7)and you're looking for something to do, drive up to Cedar Breaks this weekend and let us show you where to park your car. Talk about a high adventure; that'll be one for the books.

See you soon,

Barry


October 15, 2008

Ask anyone who was there and they'll tell you that our last Parent Weekend dinner show was hugely entertaining. Nanci, who heads our art department and who dreams-up and produces these shows, spun her own version of the popular TV series "The Runway," by assigning her students the task of designing and modelling their own creations using a wild assortment of donated clothes. Judging by the audience's enthusiastic cheers, whistles and applause on the night of the performance, Nanci & co. got the recognition they deserved for the long hours at the sewing machine, the late rehearsals, and working out all of the last minute details and wrinkles prior to show time.

In case you're wondering, the theme for this December's Parent Weekend show is "Christmas Around the World."

Trans students have been swamped with service activities for the past month or so. The Huntsman World Senior Games is in town---with about 10,000 athletes age 50 plus from all over the world. Seven trans students did most of the scoring and timing at the 3x3 basketball venue last week in Washington, and yesterday we just put in two cold, windblown days course-marshalling a mountain bike race in the middle of the desert.

Sidenote: It's one thing to teach values in the classroom, and it's quite another to witness in person---as these young people had the chance to do---an 84 year old mountain biker from Hollywood, Ca. grimacing and gasping as he crested a steep rocky pitch and then pedaled a few more strokes to the finish line. That scene alone speaks volumes about the philosophy we preach around here. We can only hope that such inspiring moments won't be soon forgotten. But for now, it's back to school and everyday routines...until the next call we get from the Volunteer Center in St. George, asking for our help. Slowly, but surely, our students are learning hands-on, what is meant by that famous biblical saying, "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Last Thursday we graduated a young woman from our Trans program who also was honored to receive her high school diploma during the same ceremony. Megan was truly one of our "best and brightest." She was a great leader on the green unit, and excelled in her willingness and abililty to help others whenever the opportunity arose.

Her parents were so impressed by how their daughter turned-out after less than a year
of treatment, that when Megan asked if they'd support her decision to return to southern Utah to attend SUU in January, they wholeheartedly gave her their blessing. (She doesnt't know it yet, but once Megan's back in town, I plan to ask her if she'd share her success story with a few of the parents who'll be attending next year's first Parent Weekend).

Speaking of which, hope to see you for the last P.W. of this year, Dec. 19-21. Rumor is, that there may be a VIP in attendance with the initials S.C.

Until next time,

Barry
 

November l8, 2008This year seems to have flown by as fast as that F-16 that came at us the "other day" while we were visiting Nellis and was gone before we knew what happened.But that's just my middle-aged way of reckoning time. I'm guessing that if you were one of the eight students who went with us to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to celebrate Veteran's Day, and had to hear my speech on patriotism enroute, time goes by a lot slower. I think each of the young people who made that trip would agree, time with Barry flies not on wings, but walks on crutches! Moreover, it can never go fast enough, when you're away from home and counting down the days...I grow a little somber when I recall some of the stories that accompany these Trans students into placement, and consider for a moment how little time they have in which to understand what it is that they need to do in order to just stay alive in these "worst of times," much less thrive in them. If you're anything like me, then you begin to think more deeply about the role of miracles in the rehab process, and what else can be done to emphasize their importance. Such thoughts remind me of this little poem, entitled, Ode to a Young Flyer Not every pilot's Chute opens. Yours did. Ever wonder why? Was it random luck that brought your child here, or was it a result of your own systematic inquiries, or could it be divine intervention, or a combination of these things? I'll admit I tend to lean more towards the Higher Power explanation. When students make it to the Transition level after five months or so of placement, and begin the final leg of their treatment journey, they can anticipate hearing their Trans Director speak words of soberness about one's "Higher Power," and the practical role that that can play in their lives long after they leave Red Rock. They also begin to learn that the best way to develop that relationship is to paradoxically look no further than the first peer that they see struggling. In closing out this little meditation piece, let me say, that if a Trans student learns nothing more while they're here, then I hope and pray that they learn that each time they lend a helping hand, they answer someone's prayer, and thus earn the appelation, "miracle worker." Not a bad title with with to graduate.See you at Parent Weekend.Happy Thanksgiving! Barry

January 14, 2008

Before we get into our '08 news, let me share a few December highlights with you.

*The December Parent Weekend (12/21-23) was judged a huge success by all who attended, and participated. Except for an administrator or two (whose identities will remain undisclosed), who were semi-chastened by Nanci (our tireless one woman PW production staff) for wearing blue jeans to the semi-formal dinner-show on Saturday night, everything else went off without a hitch. The meal was delicious, as usual. Thank you Marilyn, Raphael, & kitchen crew. FYI: I was informed by Shane, one of our talented staff, who was in charge of choreographing the dance numbers, that you can see the video of our student dancers on the U-Tube web site. Look for it under "Red Rock dancers." Hope to see another great turn-out at our next PW...Mar. 7-9th.


January news: Our trans students just returned from Brian Head ski resort on Saturday (1/12) after snowtubing their hearts out. It was a beautiful day at 9,000 feet elevation, over four feet of snow on the ground and lots of sunshine. For non-snowtubers like myself, the breathtaking views overlooking the vast red rock desert to the west was worth the trip alone. Plans for more "high-adventure"-type Trans activities are being made for the new year. Stay tuned.

*If you already haven't heard, Tami V., our beloved Parent Liaison, has been in the hospital for the past several days, but is now recovering at home with her family. Your prayers, emails, and cards are helping her to make the kind of gains we're all hoping for.
Please keep them coming.

That's it for now. Until next month...

Barry