Home Alone

This certainly seems to be the summer of letting go! We had a surprise opportunity to send both Ben and Ally to Word of Life for a week of summer camp. Without parents!! It came about quickly but I knew it was directly from the hand of God. After all, isn't it me who always says 'Word of Life can change your life'. The boys have attended camp at the Ranch back when they were younger, but Ally has never had the chance to go. Well, here it is. I admit I had a crisis of thought. Can I let her go? How will she do without parental instruction? Will it be too much freedom? Will I have to reprogram when she returns? Reminder from God - whispering to me - maybe Word of Life can change her life too! Now, that's exciting. Yes, I can let go for that reason. We had a sweet breakfast together the morning she went to camp. I told her I wasn't going to tell her all the things to do and not to do. Heavens! Doesn't she hear that from me enough (nag, nag, nag). No, I wanted to speak to her heart. I told her to live it up. To have as much fun as possible. To play every game. To really listen to every speaker and see if he has a message for her. To learn from her counselor. I told her that it is her turn to shine. That she could be a great influence on the other girls. That perhaps God would speak something into her life while I wasn't there because maybe Mom is an interference at times. Well, I expect big things. She was a little nervous, but very ready to spread her independent wings. I hope it's the best week ever for her. Probably the best part is no brothers. She really is on her own with no one watching over her shoulder.

As for Ben. Well, he's on the island with big brother. He, too, was excited to be with the big kids. He couldn't wait to do the high ropes course, slide down the massive water slide and just generally pick on his brother who he really has missed this summer. I know he will listen intently to each speaker and try to apply the messages to his life. He has already implemented that discipline and I thank God for it. He will come back really charged up for God.

It's so strange in the house. It's quiet. I'm not expecting anyone to show up and say, "What's for lunch?". It's weird actually. Even going to church Sunday without them. All three gone at once. I reflected that Scott and I haven't been alone in the house for an entire week in 16 years. How about that? So far so good. I hope to not utter the forbidden words "I'm bored". I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime...

I'm deeply grateful that God is at work in the lives of each one of our children this summer. How I pray they come home changed. I pray that they won't return just knowing the right things TO DO. But, that they will be even more enchanted with the God who created and saved and has a plan for each of their lives - and be motivated to pursue it!!