My Family

Yes- another beach post.  We really did have a wonderful, refreshing week.  We ate well, played hard, and enjoyed some good family time.  As much as I loved our time there, I think the thing I am most thankful for is my family.  It's a little sobering to realize how blessed we are to like being together so much and what a true gift that is.  The older I get, the more grateful I am for my parents, my brother and his family, and my own.

 

I just might be jeopardizing my relationship with my brother by posting this but it is a pretty funny picture!  :)

You Know It's Been A Good Vacation

You know it's been a good vacation when...

Beach Read

Do people "summer" anymore?  Go somewhere for the summer and stay for weeks on end?

I think we've about decided that if we summered, it would be at the beach.  Probably the Outer Banks.  I love the beach.  

I could see myself as one of those wrinkly, tanned old ladies who put on a floppy hat in the morning to water her flowers.  I would get to know the people who came in on Saturday with the traffic and tell them the best restaurants.  And I would read good books- a lot of them.

This week's (quality) beach read has been The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.  It's been one of those books that drew me in- marriage, loss, love, and even a fairy tale element.  Loved it. 

"In my old age, I see that life itself is often more fantastic and terrible than the stories we believed as children, and that perhaps there is no harm in finding magic among the trees."

Camp Week Was Great!

They got in the van Friday morning and it was like they were on fast-forward.  Until they crashed from exhaustion not long after.
Sooooo much to tell about their week at Ridge Haven!
I can't say enough about the quality of this camp.  Truly, top-notch.  It was so well organized with fantastic counselors.  Everyone was so friendly and helpful.  I want the kids to go back next year just as much as they want to.
Jack and Kayla, in ten years, do you remember:  the golden plunger award, cabin devotions, the rope swing into the lake, the big swing, Bucket, 500 miles, archery olympics, the camp store, candy, the scavenger hunt through the woods, dance party, crafts, soccer, Gus, canoeing, kayaking, Uncle Archie, etc...?

Kayla's cabin

Jack's cabin

Everyone!

 

 

all the pictures are taken by Ridge Haven staff and posted on Facebook

Who Knew?

"What makes you anxious in church planting?"

Our leader asked the question yesterday in a session for church planting spouses.

One of the ladies answered.

"When my husband preaches."

I'm sure my eyes must have widened and inside I was saying, "Yes!"

Then the other ladies all said it out loud.

"Yes!"

"Me, too!"

My eyes might have bugged out of my head.

So I'm not the only one!  Who knew?

It is so very nice to be in the company of others in similar situations, isn't it?  Somehow, it's comforting.

I'd say that was a sweet moment of this week's General Assembly for me.  Maybe not the specific issue but more the reminder that someone does understand.  We all need that don't we, for whatever it is that troubles us at times.  We really aren't alone in our struggles, big or small.  How good it is when we share them.

Ready, Set, Go!

   

Not sure what else we could pack.  Sleeping bags, notebooks, Bibles, old shoes, clothes, flashlights, toothbrushes, hats.  Even letters from friends to be delivered through camp mail. It's all ready.  And I think  we are, too.  

Today we take Kayla and Jack to overnight camp for the week.  First time.  They have been so very excited about this week for so long, and last night I saw the first signs of nerves.  Not gonna lie- it pulls at my heart strings a little, too.  But- I am trusting God who is near to them and know He can use this week to grow them  in grace.

So to all my praying friends out there, will you pray for these two this week?  Thank you!

They are going to the PCA's camp Ridgehaven in North Carolina.

Summer in the Blow-Up Pool

Today felt like summer.  Hot and a little humid. 
And little kids in the blow-up pool.
I forget how much fun it is for them to slide into the water- over and over and over!
And how much fun it is to listen to them laugh and squeal and enjoy it all so much.