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.

Camping Trip, Day 2

About the time it stopped raining Monday morning, we had finished packing the van with the tent, wet clothes, etc... and were driving down the road in search of coffee.  So even though everything was soaked outside, the sun was coming out and we decided to find a place to hike around.  We were in the Mt. Rogers area- the highest peak in Virginia.

Looks like a good spot, and it was.  Beautiful.

The passing clouds and fog added to the beauty here.  We could see pretty far in every direction.

They made it!  Climbing around the rocks was a big hit.

 
There were a lot of cattle roaming.  And they left their mark....everywhere.  Lucy kept saying, "Watch out Mom!  Cow poo.  Gross!"

Sweet sisters.

Can you tell it was a little windy up there?  Chilly, too.

I love this picture.

*We ate lunch and headed home not long after this hike.  

*Learned on the very windy roads down the mountain that Lucy gets carsick.  Poor Lu.  

It did encourage me to get going on the laundry probably a little sooner than I would have!

*Next time we hope to hit the trails that lead us to the wild ponies.  

*I learned a little more about what it means to be prepared for these sorts of trips.  But, we also made do with what we had and it turned out just fine in the end.