It's All in the Eyes

So this week in the mountains we started our new jobs. We are thankful in a way that attendance is low at the end of the summer. It gave us time to think and learn our responsibilities, also to get to know our co-workers, our new people. We loved every minute.

The big story though is that Ally has been with us since she doesn't have to report to college until next week. She worked at camp too in various different jobs like teaching Bible stories to 4-6th graders, dishpit, housekeeping, and cooking on the grill in the TeePee.

When she's not working she hangs out in my office. One morning I heard a familiar voice coming from her area. Yay for eye to eye Facetime with her brother! Some of those in the office got to see a happy mama.

Even with all that good stuff, she had the audacity to announce part way through that she wasn't really having fun. Why?  "Because you and Dad work all the time and are tired when you're not."



Tired? Us? Psh.

I don't know what she's talking about. Scott and I are tons of fun, especially right after work.

So the next night became Operation Have Fun With Ally Night.

We started here.

That Adirondack life though!

Next was Campo. Oh you haven't heard of it? Use your imagination.

Because it's not polite to brag, I won't mention who won two games but let her daughter run up and take the prize for one of them.

All in all, I believe we accomplished our goal. I could see it in her eyes. It was a great night.

One of the favorite things about my new position is that when the circumstances dictate and the stars align, I can do something unexpected, something wonderful for a guest. Just because.

Early in the week, a father and his grown son arrived. There was just something about them. Quiet, humble, genuine. I thought about them long after they left my desk and woke up with them on my mind the next day.

I asked around as to how much freedom I had to bless. The answer - 100%. (insert giddy smile) I found them at breakfast and told them my plan. They just looked at me and their eyes inquired, "Why?" "Why would you do that"?

Then it hit me. It was their eyes. Once upon a time we had a pastor/boss for not enough years whom we loved. He was a pleasure to work with and for. Our kids adored him. There was just something about him too. I used to say, "he has kind eyes."

This father/son duo both have kind eyes. Eventually I learned some of their story. Dad was a missionary in Italy (my heritage) for many years, soon to head out again. He lost his wife to cancer one year ago. In his words, "I've just been trying to find my way." The son just smiled quietly, with those eyes, clearly still missing his mom. I knew then that it was the Holy Spirit's idea to do something wonderful for them and He was nudging me to make it happen. It was such a pleasure. Seriously, I love this job.

I think the eyes tell a lot about a person and I am so drawn to kind eyes. It's my most favorite way to desribe someone.

The Bible has a lot to say about God's eyes and our eyes.

First God's:

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

He does not take His eyes off the righteous... Job 36:7

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with Me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to Me. Psalm 101:6  We can minister to God? Sign me up!

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked 

and the good. Proverbs 15:3

 Our eyes:

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. Matthew 6:22,23

What we should and shouldn't do with our eyes:

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.  

Psalm 119:17  Read the Word.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things... Psalm 119:37

I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1,2

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 18

Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus... Hebrews 12:2

The eyes tell a lot about a person. I've looked into evil eyes and I shudder to remember how that made me feel. Many more times I've looked into kind eyes. The understanding, the warmth, the genuine care. I'll choose kind eyes every time.

Sometimes I wonder if I lived back in the days when Jesus walked the earth which crowd I would find myself in. Would I have become a believer or would I have been a skeptic?

I'm convinced that anyone who looked straight into Jesus' eyes with a pure desire to learn and discover the truth, that they would have just known. Because His eyes surely are the kindest of all and I can't wait to see for myself.

You see, there's one more verse, the best in the Bible. The hope we look forward to everyday. The big cheese. The whole enchilada:

Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him... Revelation 1:7 

Until that day, let's be intentional.  If we know Jesus, our eyes are filled with light. Those living in this dark world will look into our eyes. May they be found kind and bright, helping others find their way to Christ.

The Last Week of Summer Camp

Just got home an hour ago.

I'm sitting on my couch with feet on the coffee table, some news station on the tv in the background.  Number 2 of 48 loads of laundry in the washer. Aaaaahhh. You just don't realize how much you miss being barefoot on carpet and sitting upright until you are in a tiny cabin with just a bed and bathroom for eight weeks.

These last two weeks of camp have been wonderful. Scott and I have been plunged into training for our new positions before our predecessors leave. So much to learn, but we are loving it.

We've had lots of other fun too. Like a large Craft Fair - right here in town. What luck! Scott was thrilled. So I went with a girlfriend instead.

I mean, everything we saw just screamed Adirondack!

I could make that ladder. Somehow Scott's prayers were answered and I didn't spend any money.

Well, except on this popcorn, warm out of the kettle.  So so good.

I mentioned a few posts back how we work six, nine hour days a week. So this is what life in the cabin looks like most nights. Just two crazy kids, livin' wild without our kids!

My mom came up for a visit, mostly to see my kids, I think. So off to Word of Life we went. Have I mentioned how much I love that we are only 45 minutes away? I suggested to Mom that since we are at camp too, maybe she might want to being us a care package. I guess you never get too old to stop needing your mother. The contents get a little more sophisticated with age.

And we ran into a longtime friend. Extra bonus- hi Lois!

Our summer contracts at Camp of the Woods ended yesterday. Last night turned out to be a little tough as we said goodbye to most of our summer kids. These young men and women really captured our hearts in a short time. We sent them on their way back home and to college with hugs, some kisses (me to the girls), and our prayers.

How I love the family of God. Even if we never see these kids again on this Earth, we will be together forever in heaven one day because we share the same faith in Jesus Christ. That's a great hope.

We now have two weeks to deliver one son to college and get our affairs in order to begin our next season of ministry and new life in the Adirondacks.

He's home (all bushy haired and chocolatey brown)!!  For a few days anyway.

Stay tuned for more adventures....

Sweet and Sour

Greetings from camp! Today it's pretty chilly on the beach so I write from a building called the Wigwam. It's probably the oldest one here on the property, decorated with 70s, 60s, maybe 50s camp furniture. I kind of dig it. Can you tell why?

Also it's where the wifi works best, so here I am.

The empty nest adventure continues. Our time here is more than half over and we are not ready for it to end. I've loved learning my new job at the Front Desk, not wearing a black polo everyday, eating some meals in the fancy dining room (delicious!), and getting to know this new group of staff.

Laura, Amanda, Jill, Charlie, Amy, Tim (and Leigh, not pictured) won't replace our first loves here, but there's room in my heart for them too. They are patiently teaching me how to know the answer to every question that might come up. For years I've been accused of having an answer for everything (ahem), but clearly I do not. Which means by the time I do learn it all I could be really obnoxious. Let's hope not.

This last week was particularly enjoyable for me because I had lots of visitors. Several of my very favorite people in the world came to town. I even got two breakfasts at my cute little coffee shop. There's nothing quite like the gift of longtime friends some of whom live too far away for frequent face to face visits. These are the ones who know you (and get you), whom you share history with and can pick up right where you left off last time. Important conversations were had and my soul was enriched. It was so sweet.

Only got a picture of these two - our favorite Senegal/now Budapest missionaries.What a treat!

The sour side to being in the second half of the summer is that our new kids are starting to leave. They have to go home, get back to college or find permanent jobs. It's kind of sad. We have become attached to and will miss them.

This one in particularly has a personality the size of the Adirondacks. These pictures tell the story.

When with young'ns, you must say yes to selfies.













 


Sometimes he lets me see what Scott is doing throughout the day.

 And other times he gets you when you're not looking, which means you've got to be sharp at all times. 

The things I love about Adam are how funny he is, how he makes fun of Scott (did I say that out loud?), and how sometimes he skips the chit chat and jumps right into a serious conversation starting with a big question. He's the first to leave and we will miss him. God is going to use Him to bring music therapy to children and maybe the elderly. He is one of a kind. I'm grateful our paths crossed. 










One of my sweet friends brought me a gift which required explanation. She said from her vantage point, God has been sifting and refining (Biblical words) Scott and I these last few years. The dross has come to the surface and been strained away leaving nothing but the fruit. I like that. It's a visual I can appreciate. Sweet and sour, sweet being the last taste in our mouths.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  John 15:2

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  1 Pet. 1:7

 Reminds me of something I read recently that I hope will encourage you like it has me.

"Never pray for an easier life - pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks equal to your power - pray for power equal to your task.

We must remember that Christ will not lead us to greatness through an easy or self-indulgent life. An easy life does not lift us up but only takes us down. Heaven is always above us, and we must be continually looking toward it. 

Some people always avoid things that are costly, or things that require self-denial, self-restraint, and self-sacrifice. Yet it is hard work and difficulties that ultimately lead us to greatness, for greatness is not found by walking the moss-covered path laid out for us through the meadow...Are you willing to sacrifice to reach the glorious mountain peaks of God's purpose for you?

Be men of courage; be strong. I Cor. 16:13"*

Let's let God do the work of refining, sifting, straining, and maturing in our lives so all that is left is the fruit that brings Him glory. Sweet and sour together, a beautiful, delicious combination.

Today I don't work until 4pm, so I'm off to Arts and Crafts. Have I mentioned how much I love it here?

* Streams in the Desert by LB Cowman Aug. 3

Thoughts from the Elevator Lady

This week here at camp.....I got a new name.

I answered a call to pick up a guest and transport them to their accommodation. When I arrived, I immediately recognized them, having been in a small space with them every morning this week.
They recognized me too, "Hey! We know you. You're the elevator lady."
"Yes, yes I am."
"You drive the golf carts, too?"
"Didn't know I was so talented, did you?"

We've loved another week here. The weather has been practically perfect in every way. Rained only once, at night. Sunshine every day. It did get kind of cold a couple of nights (40 something degrees) but it warmed right up by lunch. I woke up thinking about the guests and how chilly the golf cart ride might be one of those days.  I told Scott, "We need lap blankets for the carts." He looked at me like, well, you can imagine.

Instead of rotating responsibilities this week, our boss gave us permanent jobs. Mine was here. Right where I like to be.

Room for two, maybe three. Fun conversations happen in there. I love these folks.

Because one night I stayed late to finish a project and Scott helped me, we were rewarded with an afternoon off. It just happened to be a gorgeous day and I hoodwinked Scott into doing this.

And yes the boat boy loved taking our picture I'm sure.

Initially Scott didn't want to kayak because he said he'd end up doing all the paddling. You know what I say to that? Husband job.

Still, I did my share. It was windy too, which made it harder. Empty nesting isn't for wimps.

I sent these pictures to the kids so they could see how desperately we are missing them.

They smack talked in the family text.

Scott couldn't respond because he would never take his phone out on the lake.

He only agreed to let me take mine if I agreed to putting it in this.

He's an adventurer, that guy.

Another other off duty adventure.

That's right. When at camp, do arts and crafts. When I heard Camp of the Woods has a kiln and amateurs (me) could have relative success, I showed up. With my crafting buddy.

First project. Before and after. Not bad, huh?

We had fun here when Sandy's daughter Hilary came up.

Have I ever mentioned this is not my favorite game?  Why, you ask? No reason.

That's right, sometimes you have to pull out your pool playing skills.
Yeah, it wasn't pretty.

A few visitors showed up for my day off, which made an impromptu drive up to Word of Life and a boat ride to the Island to see the grandkids necessary. What a treat!

My mother, Ally and our friend Diana

Grandma and Ben (this is his "Mom, I see what you're doing and I'm not going to smile" face. Not the first time I've seen it.)

There's only one down side to having my day off on Fridays. I don't get to see my elevator people one last time and say goodbye. They are gone on Saturday morning by the time I come to work. So sad!

I saved the best part of the week for last. After chapel and a short break for cinnamon rolls and coffee, a seminar is offered. This week Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries spoke everyday. Best five hours of my week. I asked if I could monitor that room each day, which made it my job to be there. I got a yes! Even Scott came in one day which was awesome for him to hear who I've been talking about for years. I love when he enters my girl world this way.

You know how you hope that someone you look up to, who happens to be popular and famous, will be kind and genuine and real in person? I got to talk to Lysa a few times this week. Maybe you saw this pic on Facebook or Instagram.

She did not disappoint in any way. I'm so pleased to report that she's more wonderful than you would hope for. Especially the day she invited me to walk her to lunch.

You see, this embarassing thing happened. I tried to tell her some of my story but I couldn't get the words out. I'm sure she was wondering what I was waiting for. Now that I've had time to think about it, I actually blame Lysa. I wasn't star struck. It was her message that morning! It just so happened that the content leveled me about 1/3 of the way through. I was a puddle in my chair, for sure. I wondered if anyone sitting near me would call another Guest Services staff to assist the crying lady.

So you can see how it was all her fault. She was gracious while I croaked and when it was over, I walked away understood and encouraged.

This is something I know. Even when it's hard. Even when it's emotional. Even when it hurts. Even when you break down and cry a little, or a lot in public at your job, it is so important to hear God's Word taught. The tears indicate that the Holy Spirit is working in your heart. Few things I like better than that.

Here are some of my notes:

• Sometimes God brings us to a place where none of our tricks or plans work. He wants us here.
• If I want to be a person of faith, I need to live by faith (not require to see everything to believe).
• Instead of looking at my situation as "Impossible", consider God saying, "I'M Possible". Isn't that good?

Regarding wisdom (these are things we must teach our kids): 

• When life is pressing in and stressful, we have to watch who we are paying attention to. 
• Don't pay attention to fools or foolishness. (Social media? TV? Pop culture? News programs?)
• Wisdom makes decisions today that are still good tomorrow to receive blessing not curses. 
• If you want to be wise, go where wise people go and do what wise people do. 

Jesus does everything by purpose, on purpose and for a purpose.

• Consider your life a statue. Let the Master chisel you in every way so you don't get locked into hard places. He wants to produce a masterpiece in you.
• Let Him chip away everything that doesn't look like the version of you that God wants to get you to.

Regarding olive trees and olives:

• Olive trees in the Holy Land tolerate east winds that are harsh and brutal. They also enjoy cool, delightful west winds that refresh and restore. Both are needed for fruit bearing.
• Olives need to be crushed in order to get their fruit - the oil. 
• They will never be olives again, but the crushing preserves their true value.
• And so with us. We need both the good times and the brutally hard times in order to bear the best fruit for Christ. 
• Maybe when we are finally broken and humble we will look totally different. This is not a bad thing. Don't resist it.

There was so much more.

Late in the week, the worship team sang, "If ever I loved you, my Jesus 'tis now".
Yes, most definitely.

I hope you had a beautiful week too and discovered some new things about God that make you love Him more.


PS. Ravi Zacharias will be here tomorrow for the week. I'm already sweating about morning traffic on the grounds.

Meet My New Friends

Good morning from sunny Speculator, New York! It's a gorgeous day here in the Adirondacks. 

Today is turnover day at camp. The guests from last week head home and a few hours later a whole new batch arrive. It’s kind of exciting. We blow up balloons. It’s a busy day, full of activity and a lot of fun.

We don't have to work until 10am so we can sit in this sunny spot for awhile.

We survived another week at camp. I say survived because I’ve gone from not working outside the home for several years to working nine hours a day, six days a week. This girl gets tired at the end of the day if you know what I mean. After a long day the first week we were here one of our new young friends said, “Hey, we are playing glow-in-the-dark frisbee at 9:30. PM. You guys should come.” Isn’t he adorable though?

Scott arrived Sunday afternoon, making everything much better and more fun. I was still settling my nerves from morning golf cart duty. Because Alistair Begg was preaching, the place was packed. Imagine wall to wall people and three small golf carts trying to transport elderly and handicapped guests, me being the driver of one. Can we just pause a moment and thank God no one got hurt?

This past week, I spent the majority of mornings running the lift (elevator) for chapel. It’s built for 2-3 people, which means many trips up and down before and after the service. I enjoy it because I get to spend a few minutes with the same guests every day. Some of these darling older folks grow comfortable and get sort of sassy by mid week. I love every minute of it. AND I get a seat in chapel in case anyone needs to leave by elevator a.k.a I get to listen to the messages.  Perfect job for a sermon junkie.

I’m still mulling over the messages from these past few days. Pastor Begg preached the first six books of Daniel and always left us with an encouraging, hopeful thought in light of the current state of our American culture and what’s going on around the world specifically in regards to our temptation to fear. He would remind us daily that we do not have to fear the evil  because God is most powerful and firmly in control of all of  that and our personal lives too. 

This was one of my favorites.

“He changes times and seasons,

He sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise,

knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

He knows what lies in the darkness

and light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:20-22

He taught us that every world leader today lives and breathes by the providential hand of God. Every breath. Every day. Even though the world seems dark, the light dwells in Him. I just love that.

He told us not to be panicky because the Apostle Paul warned us in 1 Cor. 1:18:

“The message of the cross (the Gospel) is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”

The Gospel is the power of God.

Which reminds me of my Benny’s favorite verse:

“The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

We need to be living and breathing this confidence to those around us. To be reflectors of God’s light. That’s good stuff.

Man, I love being here.

Speaking of Benny, being only 45 minutes away from him and Ally, we snuck away one night and had dinner with them. It was so much fun. I love their faces and the sound of their laughter. Ally put the cherry on top of this night by wanting us to stay until the very last minute before she had to be in her cabin, “I don’t want you to leave. I haven’t gotten my fill of you.” Can I just say five years ago I would never have dreamed that would come out of her mouth?  God is faithful to His promise that He who began a good work (in her) will complete it. Phil. 1:6

While we are on the family subject, a little update on the two who are missing from this photo. Drew started his new job as a Youth Pastor at University Heights Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana this week. He and Brittany moved into their new apartment yesterday. We are so beyond blessed.

Another bonus is getting to know our co-workers/teammates. Everyone has an important story and I’m enjoying individual time with each one and hearing them. I especially enjoyed a long stroll on the beach (tidying up) with one of our guys. He’s 21 and a hockey player. I asked him to explain to me how in every other sport, physical aggression/fighting is unsportsmanlike and rewarded with fouls, penalties and the like but in hockey it’s a free for all. He talked a good game, having even written a paper about it once, as he tried to persuade me that it’s totally acceptable and necessary. We laughed a lot but in the end he didn’t convince me.

This cutie and I were given some signs to hang up with the instruction to send pictures back to our supervisor when finished. We had a little fun with that job. She and I have alot in common, like our mutual love for winter…and whoopee pies.

I like having Fridays off. Sort of completes the week. Yesterday we didn’t stay around camp. Scott needed to go home to mow lawns in our neighborhood. I was not really ready to go home yet and face the house with no kids but since home is where Scott is, I went along for the ride Thursday night after we got off our shift. I pretended it was date night with a sleepover. 

I admit it was good to sleep in our bed, shower in our bathroom, do the laundry, paint my nails and take care of some hair color issues. You know, the important things.

I also wanted to do some baking for the kids we work with. A precedent seems to have been set from when I brought cookies back after Ally’s graduation and I promised more this trip. So while Scott was out mowing, this is what I did.

For these people. Our new friends!

Starting at top: Adam, Clint, Steve, Scott, Cailee, Paige, Nicole, Liam, Mariah and Emily

Wasn’t it so kind of God to give me a whole new group of young’ns to mother, I mean, to hang out with and love? I will heretofore refer to them as our summer kids.

PS. Can I tell you it's a little unnerving to know that we could be parents to all of them. Ah! When did we get so old?

The Next Thing

Day 5 of the Empty Nest. But who's counting? The kids are gone and our house is empty. What to do.

A few weeks ago, as my 24/7-time-to-wake-up-here's-your-sandwich-clean-your-room-don't-forget-your-coat parenting was imminently drawing to a close, I engaged in some heavy duty prayers. I told God how all I know is raising kids and women's ministry. 

The time at our little church where Scott serves as interim pastor is also ending, which means more change on the horizon but I refused to become panicky.

I know myself and I know that I could not handle the quietness of our house and lack of something to do, so I prayed more fervently that God would give us the next thing before those things ended.

Through a series of conversations, emails, texts and connections, God opened a door. Our first empty nest adventure is taking place here, at Camp of the Woods in Speculator, NY. We've been hired to join the summer staff for the next seven weeks. 

This is where you'll find Scott and me. In our own little cabin in the Adirondacks. It has a porch! Just big enough for two. Perfect. 

 

We are excited for the change of scenery and to serve the Lord by serving people. I thought I'd tell you about our first week. Orientation.

The thing we noticed right off the bat is that we are old. 

I'd say 90% of the staff is made up of college and high school aged kids. Gulp.

No wonder the man who hired us kept talking about our "maturity" and how our ministry "experience" was something they were looking for. Code words for old people.

So the first day went pretty well as we learned of our tasks. Handing out keys at the beginning of each week, blowing up balloons, greeting guests, setting up rooms for meetings, delivering people and packages on golf carts, carrying a master key for all accommodations, etc. Psh. We've got this.

Then during day two I learned some new words. Words I'd never actually heard before. Our supervisor/trainer told us we would becoming certified belayers that afternoon. Excuse me? Come again? What might a belayer do? Then he said, "Meet me at the climbing wall after lunch."

I knew this wasn't going to be good. I've attended many a retreat here through the years and hanging out at the climbing wall has never been where you'd find me.

Well, I did ask God for something to do this summer. Begged, in fact. Gulp again. When you say yes to a position called Guest Services, this is never what you imagined to be a part of your job responsibilities. 

So after lunch we went to the climbing wall. Did I mention 90% of the staff are kids? Make that 98% in this particular situation. That's right. All kids except Scott and me. The first thing they told us to do was put on a harness.

I'm sorry, but I have to stop here. You may not know this about me, but I hold to a few personal policies. One is to never wear a harness. Ever. Unless, of course, I'm dangling from an airplane about to crash into a mountain. Maybe then. 

I looked at Scott. He grinned. Yeah, real funny, buddy. I quickly sent a family text to all of my kids. "Mayday! Personal Policy Violation! They want me to put a harness on to learn how to belay. Is belay even a word?"

You can imagine all the support (and emojis) I received. No pun intended.

I put the harness on.

Do you even know what belaying is?  Here's what Merriam Webster has to say: "Definition of BELAY. 1: the securing of a person or a safety rope to an anchor point (as during mountain climbing)."

Then I watched and listened to the whole demonstration of what they would be expecting us to do. I was to use my body on the ground to anchor a person (of any size) who would climb the wall while I perform a series of rope tricks secured through carabiners and GriGris. Another made up word. Have you ever?

I began to sweat and feel a little nauseous. I mean, adventure is one thing but holding someone's life in my hands, literally? 

Then this: "Before we can certify you, we want you to get into groups and practice belaying and climbing. Belay three people and climb the wall three times."

I don't think so. That's it for me.

I had to believe at this point that a 47-year-old mother of three could opt out of this one little thing. I mean really, with this room full of certified belayers (if that really is a word), would they seriously call on me in an emergency? How about I just sign people in?

An executive decision had to be made quickly. I took the harness off and sat down to watch everyone else, willing to take whatever punishment I deserved. 

A few of the overachievers noticed and tried to motivate, "You can do it! It will be fun!"

Yeah. No.

Turns out, I got away with it. No one seemed to notice. We were to come back a few days later for the certification. I didn't go back.

Next stop, help at the TeePee. Look what we got to do here - practice making ice cream cones. This is more like it! Lucky for me working at an ice cream stand was the very first job I ever had. Scott, however, didn't have any experience to fall back on. As you can see.

But everybody loves Scott. So no biggie. And we got to eat our cones no matter how weird and warped they came out. Very cool.

Did I mention driving the golf carts...or limos as they are referred to? Now this training was fun although I admit I'm a little nervous to drive people around on these sometimes bumpy roads. Please pray I don't dump anyone off. Not that I think I'll get much driving time. Surely this is the main reason the kids work in this department.


Entering the workforce, so to speak, after all these years has rattled me a bit. My confidence is low and my insecurities high which I'm just taking day by day.

Scott had to go back home for a few days to finish up at church so I've been by myself, except for my good friend Sandy next door who is a pro at working and living here. This helps immensely.

But, the other night it was so cold I didn't know what I'd do to stay warm. So I layered up and put every blanket I brought on my bed. The next morning one of the kids said, "Don't you have heat in your cabin?"  Heat in my cabin? Why would there be heat at a summer camp? I guffawed (an old people word meaning a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter. A real word.) Kids - always looking for comforts from home.

When I went to my cabin at the end of that day, I saw this staring back at me, plain as day, mocking.

Oh. Hmmm. Well, maybe just a little.
I slept much better that night.
I'm going to be just fine until Scott returns.
As long as the kids (and Sandy) look after me.

There are so many good things about being here. I like meeting new people, listening to the speakers, helping where needed, and being another mom to these young'ns.

Oh and I may or may not have mentioned that all meals are provided. No cooking all summer!

Looking at this view every day....

and night. Beautiful.

And a daughter, very thankful to her Father who knows her well, and has granted this respite from what could have been a very different summer.

Jesus loves me, this I know.
Jesus knows me, this I love.

He is always worth trusting and following. Always.

Pray to your Father in Heaven, who hears your prayers, even the desperate, whiny ones. 

PS. Did you happen to notice that God made it so that my new adventure (the subject of my prayers) started the very same day as the empty nest began?  

Now that is beautiful.