Down at the Rivah!

This weekend we met some dear family like friends to camp out by the river! Now, this type camping is a lot different from our usual pitch a tent in the middle of no where camping, this was like camping at the Hilton or maybe the Holiday Inn!

We had pancakes, sausage, bacon, and coffee in the morning! No need to worry about food spoilage with two refrigerators on site! The kids played Frisbee, football and baseball while the adults cleaned up.

We rented John boats to go out fishing! Since I do not fish, I simply enjoyed the beautiful scenery!

Later in the day the Mr P and Uncle B took the boys out to really fish. Each boy was in a boat with either dad or their uncle. They loved going on this all boy adventure! They did catch at least one fish and many almost catches! The fish tales were honest, not embellished, as fisherman sometimes do!

While the "men" fished we girls "relaxed" at the pool by catching two giggling three year olds! After our swim we showered outside (suits on!) in the outdoor shower! We even took a nap inside an air conditioned camper!

When the boys returned they were tired, sweaty, and ready to relax!

In the evenings after a yummy meal we'd sit around under an open tent shelter (complete with party lights!) and play games with friends. Our friends camp with a group, and they were a delight to meet, and fellowship with.

In the morning were were awakened by rumbling thunder in the distance so we zipped up the boys tent and awaited the storm. We slept peacefully as a gentle rain pattered on our tent (Mr P, my youngest and I). The boys later reported on how they were awakened to drops of water falling on their heads and then they discovered they were sleeping on a water bed!

We packed up our damp, and some soaking wet gear, hugged our fabulous hosts and headed back home. All in all it was a fun adventure!

Later, the day cleared, so we put our tents and tarps all back up to dry in the sun. The children played on their swing set as a gentle breeze set in. I noticed some yellow leaves were in the back corner of our yard and felt happy and sad at the same time, as they summer season is now coming to a close.

We have had some wonderful adventures together this season and I know there will be more for the Fall, but I long to cling to the moment and squeeze every ounce of joy the days bring! We had a coming home, celebratory, take out pizza dinner and played a game of Monopoly before sending them off to bed.

Dear God,

Oh how I thank you for making the seasons. There are so many fun things to do and enjoy out in the world. Thank you for dear friends who share their lives with us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

Random Question: I'm Ready, Ready To Serve

Edie, from Rich Gifts, challenges us again with an even more difficult question than last week.

What quality of Christ's do you most see in yourself? Tell us about it.

God designed me to be happiest when I am a helper. I do not enjoy being "in charge" or even "the leader" - I love being a helper.

When I was in ninth grade I chose to be a nurse thanks to my Uncle John. We were on a family beach trip and he shared his thoughts that nursing would be a profession that would suit my personality. My parents, nor I were certain this was a perfect fit until I began my clinical training (the class work was difficult for me and most everyone I've talked to.) Once I met my first patient I was hooked! She was recovering from open heart bypass surgery and would soon be going home. I helped with her bath, changed her bed, brushed her hair, and I was delighted to be able to take out the staples they had in her leg (they don't use those anymore) from where the surgeons has harvested a vein. As I sat and talked with her and saw her comfortably smiling I knew this was what God put in my heart to do!

Even though my job is far from glamorous, (now I work weekends for an urgent care center) I do get extreme satisfaction from the care I give to my patients. Each life that I come in contact with I begin my assessment by silently praying for each ailment, even the ones I can not see, that may be hurts only God knows about. As I am carrying out the physicians orders I pray for wisdom and skill for our medical team. Later once things have stabilized I pray for their families that they may have comfort and patience as getting medical care sometimes takes lots of waiting. Most nights I work I find myself- even days after- praying for them, hoping for wellness physically and spiritually.

So, back to the question. I think the most Christ like quality I have is the desire to serve. I don't have to be a nurse to serve. I can serve my family in the meals I prepare, house tidying and laundry that I do. I can serve my neighbor by helping with a project or simply by listening to a story she'd like to share. I can serve in a million ways I only need to open my heart to Christ so He can open my eyes to these situations.

Another blogging buddy, Living My Life On Purpose, also has a challenge for us, one I think we all will enjoy doing as it is the way Jesus wants us to live.

Dear God,
Thank you for making us all with many different attributes so that all together we may shine the light of Christ to the world. May I continue to serve You through serving others with an attitude of love that You have for Your people. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Ephesians 4:32 a "Be kind and compassionate to one another."

1 Corinthians 12:12 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."

A Whale of a Tale and a Clap of Thunder!

This morning I was awakened by a huge clap of thunder. It was so loud that it knocked off a picture from the kitchen wall downstairs! I immediately ran to each child's room to make sure all were well and safe. They all were and only my youngest was awake so I gathered her up for some extra snuggle snooze time!

Our next study segment for our church's children Sunday School is the story of Jonah. Mr P and I are helping in the drama room. We plan to have a big refrigerator box, covered in blue tarp (the big fish) and we will help the children put on a play about Jonah's adventure. I have also been thinking about signs this week after reading Wonder Woman Wonders.

God had told Jonah to deliver a message to the people of Ninevah. God wanted to tell them He noticed how cruel and evil they had become. God wanted Jonah to warn them to change their ways or God would punish them. Jonah did not want to go to such a evil place and he thought that their evil ways deserved God's wrath so he headed away from Ninevah on a ship.

A terrible storm came. I imagine the thunder may have been louder than even this mornings storm. Jonah realized this was a sign from God, voicing His displeasure with Jonah. Jonah cared enough for the other sailors to tell them to throw him overboard so that the storm would pass and they would not perish. Jonah was sure he would die but God in his mercy had a big fish swallow him. There he was in a stinky, wet, dark and scary place praising God for saving him from drowning. Jonah repents of his sin of disobedience and gets a second chance. The fish deposits Jonah on shore after three days.

He goes on to Ninevah, warns the people they repent and God shows mercy. Jonah then pouts because these people do not get in trouble. They are forgiven. He sets up a camp for himself just beyond the city to see what will happen. God causes a bush to grow to give Jonah comfort and shade. The next day it dies and withers away providing no shade. Jonah gets hot and thinks he surly will die from the heat. God tells Jonah, you are concerned for a bush you did not plant or care for. It just appeared one day and was gone the next. Don't you think I should be concerned for the 120,000 people of Ninevah who did not know how to act? God wanted Jonah to change his attitude to be concerned about God's people, all people. God loves all people and will forgive them when they repent.

Dear God,
Help me to be like Jonah, in listening to Your voice, and in repenting when I fail to listen. Help me to obey with a loving attitude towards Your people, being careful not to judge as that is not for me to do. May I see all Your people as You do, not as I think Christians should look. May I have an attitude of gratitude rejoicing when a lost sheep has been gathered back into the flock. Thank you for your grace and mercy that is given to us freely, we only need to ask. In Jesus Name, Amen.

God loves all people and will forgive them when they repent. We, like Jonah, are called to tell others about God.

I encourage you to read the book of Jonah. (It is short only four chapters long)

Matthew 12:39-41 "But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth."

Micah 7:18
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Luke 6:36 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."