One on One Time

Since our oldest boy is still away at camp, (only 13 hours to go!) my husband has taken this opportunity for some big man time with our middle son. He is amazed at how much information this one on one time has generated. He's learned about all of our son's favorite sports; soccer, Tae Kwon Doe, swimming and of course football. These are basically all the sports he has ever tried but it was fun for my husband to listen to him talking so enthusiastically!

The summer before we had children we'd gone on a camping trip to West Virginia to raft the New River and to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. We met a nice young man of 14 and his dad. His dad shared with us that this trip was a coming of age trip that he'd also done two years earlier with his oldest and plans to do again in a few years with his youngest. He and his wife routinely planned special outings with each of their children for one on one time. Since we were praying for a child of our own at the time, we both marveled at what a wonderful idea this family had.

I've noticed that when I ask my boys about their day or about an activity or outing they were involved in I get short one word answers. Conversely, if I do not ask but do an activity with them like throwing the football in the back yard, or jog along side them while they ride their bike I learn so much more. More information that I would even think to ask.

I am so thankful that God has placed our lives in such a way that my husband and I can spend lots of time with our children. Time just for the ordinary daily tasks of life that sometimes lay way to learning experiences for all of us.

Dear God,
You have blessed us with three amazing children. I know they truly are Yours, and I only get to hold them for a short while. May I treasure every sweet moment and not take for granted even the mundane tasks of mothering. You have created them each with unique personalities, talents and preferences. May I be sensitive to each individual trait so as to love them and know them as You do! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

A Prayer for My Husband

Today is an important day for Mr P in his career. He has been diligently striving towards a goal for several years now and he is at a place where his hard work could now come to fruition.

For the first ten years of my marriage my husbands career has been a place where I have often prayed for what I wanted, relocation closer to where we both grew up. About two years ago my husband and I both came to terms with the realization that God does not have that in our immediate plan. Those days of realization were a rugged, rough, place in in our adventurous journey together. For that reason I was not sure how to pray for my husband today. I shared this with my dear sweet mom, who in all of her wisdom suggested I pray that what ever God wills is what should happen. I also would like to pray for peace for him, what ever the outcome.

When he comes home today may I pray with him to help lift the weight of any stress he may have and reassure him that God's Will shall prevail.


Dear God,
Please bless my husband today so that he may become the man You created him to be. You know how hard he has worked and the dedication he has put into his job. You have given him the strength and endurance for hard work and also the fairness and kindness to lead others well. May Your Will in this time of transition prevail and may we have peace with the outcome. In Jesus Name, Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Off at Camp

My oldest is away at camp for 72 hours, well now 60 hours and 33 minutes, yes I am counting! My husband and I grew up going to camp for a week every summer since we were eight years old. We both went to Camp Grier, a church camp in the mountains of NC. We even became counsellors there during our college years. That is where we initially met. My children have visited Camp Grier with us many times especially when the director we worked under was still there. They've heard all our stories, some I'm sure have grown taller year by year. I should not have been surprised when our oldest wanted to go. Camp Grier is too far so we found a similar camp nearby to our home.

This type of camp gives the opportunity to participate in a 24 hour a day experience in Christian group living in the out-of-doors, through which the counselors and campers involved can find meaning and purpose for their lives.

This takes place in the warmth and security of a small group where each person is helped to find himself and has the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others.

In this experience of simple living in a small group in the out-of-doors: Counselors and campers are truly participants as they take part in planning the activities of each day and helping make decisions which affect their lives, they develop a stake in their own program.


My husband and I have shared with each other, and our children how our faith was nurtured and grew while we were at camp as campers and especially as counsellors. I am not certain if my parents saw the fruit of this time while I was growing up, but they have seen it in my life as an adult.

My mother said my first time at camp while dropping me off I seemed nervous and did not mingle with other campers. She encouraged me to go and talk to a nearby little girl since she might be in my group. I said, "Well she might not." and stayed by my mom's side until the counsellors helped us all become friends.

My son asked us, myself and his younger siblings, not to get out of the car, he could handle his luggage and he'd already made a friend (we'd been there two minutes). We did get out and helped him get set up in his bunk. I even coerced him into posing for this picture. (No other campers were looking).

I am excited for my son in the discoveries he will make about his God, the adventurous outdoors, living in community and serving others, and also things he will learn about himself. He may never tell me of these things, but I pray I will get to see the fruits when he becomes a man.

Dear God,
Oh how bitter sweet my children's growing up can be. It's hard for me to let them venture out from under the safety of my wing-so that they can learn who and whose they are- not just who I want them to be. Help me to trust in the safety of Your wing over them and the plans You have for their lives. Keep my son safe. May his adventures be fun but mostly I long for him to seek You and to grow to be the man You planned. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Today my son is studing Gen 2:4b-22
He is learning about relationship.
"Campers will hear and explore the story of God creating the first garden and be invited into relationship with God and each other and learn to care for God's creation. Campers will:

• Be intorduced to ways they can grow in a relationship with God.
• Discover connectedness within camp and settle in
• Explore ways they can care for creation at camp