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You Win Some, You Lose Some

Album: 33: Virtual Realities

Episode: 432

Lesson/Theme: God uses you in ways you don’t expect

Bible Verse: Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:6

Characters: Liz, Connie, Tom

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: November 27, 1999

Last Air Date: September 16, 2009

Description:
Connie Kendall visits Tom Riley's office to express frustration about her recent experience as camp counselor at a middle school girls' camp. She wants to quit because she has forgotten girls can be so mean. At camp, there is a girl named Wendy who, though nice, is not very social and not dressed very well. Liz complains about her and Wendy doesn't want to be there. Trying to encourage Wendy, Connie encourages her to make some brownies. The plan seems to work well at first, but that evening, after the girls have had Wendy's brownies, they are all sick. Wendy is very discouraged, but Connie urges her to try again. This time, Wendy accidentally puts far too much salt in the cookies and they turn out terribly. Later that week, Heather tells Connie of the terrible stunts she pulled that week. Connie thinks that trying to impress Liz may be the cause of these problems and she encourages Heather to talk to Liz. Later, Liz vents similar feelings to Connie and, trying to be a wise counselor, Connie gives Liz the same advice-talk to Heather. That evening, the girls begin to apologize and confess to each other and all seems to be going well until Connie realizes the girls are just making it all up. The entire thing was a prank. To top off the week, on Saturday the girls had a food fight while Connie was checking on the busses. Connie feels incredibly discouraged after the week. She is surprised, however, when Tom tells her that Wendy had watched to see how she responded to the food fight, and when Connie took it in stride, Wendy noticed Connie kept her cool and cleaned up the mess. Wendy's mom had just sent Tom a note thanking her for Connie's influence on her daughter. Tom says "you win some and you lose some...sometimes you win without knowing it." Connie agrees to stay and continue to work at the Center.

Questions:
What was the joke that Liz and Heather played on Connie? Why did Connie feel so discouraged at the end of the week of camp? Tom said, "You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you win without ever knowing it." What do you think he meant by that?