She's Home!

Rachel the weary camper is now back in our midst! Her daddy, brothers and i picked her up at church around a quarter til noon. She came bearing candy and other goodies along with a new Webkin. Also among her goodies was a trophy for "Camper of the Day", which she won on Wednesday.

Rachel's group leader, Mrs. Kelley, told me how Rachel held doors for people, waited on them and never complained. What a joy to know she has such a sweet servant's heart!

I am sure we will be hearing more and more in the days to come and i can't wait to hear it all. For the time being, Rachel is pretty tired (as to be expected) and i sent her to get a shower because she had an orange scalp and faded writing on her face-remenants of "Organized Mass Chaos Day" that took place yesterday. Even though she showered last night the paint and ink lingered.

One exciting piece of news she did share with us on the way back home was that 8 kids gave their hearts to Christ this week! Now that is something to rejoice over.

As Rachel rests and catches up on her sleep she is sure to remember and share her camp experiences with us. We are all eagerly awaiting to hear of her adventures! Until then we are just glad to have her back home. I asked her if she wanted to do it again next year and she did not hesitate to answer, "yes!".

Now Rachel's brothers want to know when they get to go to camp. It will still be a few years before Reece and Sawyer get to go but Brogan will be going next year. He can't wait!

And now i would like to share Rachel's memory verse for the week at camp:

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:14

What I Cannot See

So we do not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

There are things i just cannot see but i know they exist. I cannot see the air i breathe but without it i would cease to be. I cannot see see the wind but i feel it upon my skin and see its movement in the trees. The thoughts of others i cannot see but i hear them as they are spoken to me. Though i have never seen love i have known its manifestations. I hear it in the voices lifted in worship on Sunday morning. I see love expressed in the kindness of strangers. I feel love in my husband’s embrace and in my children’s good night kisses. I cannot see love but i know it exists. God is love and without Him i would not be.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God knows God. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7&12

Sonshine and Rain

It has been raining in these parts most of the week. If it's not raining it's threatening rain. The sky is dark and gray. The ground has turned to mush. You could say things are pretty gloomy right now. The last thing i wanted to do this morning was take the dog out in this mess but somebody had to do it. So it was without great enthusiasm Fritz and i headed out the door. While we walked around the yard Fritz looked for the "right" spot to take care of his business. At this point i just want him to be done so we can get back inside. As i wait i do what i usually do when i am outside, i watch the sky. For the first few minutes i didn't see much...only clouds on top of clouds surrounded by more clouds on top of clouds. "How i miss the sun.", i think to myself. As if on cue, there is a break in the clouds. What do i see? The sun! Just a little at first, but then it rises above the clouds to shine down upon the earth for a few glorious moments. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, i run in to drop Fritz off at his bowl and grab my camera. Yes, the sun is still shining when i come out and i am able to get a few shots before returning inside, feeling refreshed and hopeful. Though the sun did disappear from view after a few more minutes and the clouds returned for the remainder of the day, that small glimpse of radiance filled me with assurance that though i cannot always see it the sun always shines and i will see it again. And isn't this the way it is with life? Clouds and rain enter our existence in the form of trials, hardships and other trying circumstances. They linger a while and we doubt that the Son is there. All we see are dark skies and feel the chill all around us. We wonder if we will ever see the Son again. Then right when we feel we can't go on, the Son gives us a glimpse of His glory and we are revived and once again hopeful. Even though the clouds may remain and the rain may continue to fall, we know that the Son still shines! We may not always see Him as we wish we could but we can rest assured HE IS THERE and His eyes are upon us. The storms of this life WILL someday pass for all eternity and when they do the Son will shine in all His glory for all the world to see...never to be hidden again.

"Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining." 1John 2:8