The Last Day of Camp

Friday was the long-anticipated last day of camp. The hard-working kitchen staff created a delicious feast last night, as a "thank you" for all of the counselor's hard work. It included steak, halibut, twice-baked potatoes, warm rolls and much more. Afterwards, a large group went down to the beach for a game or two of sand volleyball and some fireside fellowship. It has been a sweet time for them of relaxation (finally!)  and friendship. Josh's last sermon to the counselors is about coming down from the mountain after experiencing the Transfiguration. This has been a mountain-top experience for many of them. It's so tempting to want to stay and not go back down to "the real world". Josh will be sharing with them why going down is important and what they can expect. It's a hard transition sometimes.

The twins are going to have their OWN transition time. They have been shown so much affection and attention by the counselors this summer that when they all leave tomorrow, I think the boys might just go through some kind of withdrawal! And although I have had a few rough days this summer, the next couple will likely be the hardest emotionally. Thankfully, my sister is coming to visit just in time.
God is awesome like that, because she didn't know that the counselors were leaving until after she had picked out her arrival date. Please pray for safety and smoothness in travel for her.

In other news, the boys have discovered horse poo. We took them to the park yesterday, since it was very nice and sunny out, and they played for a long time. Xander likes to pick stuff up and carry it around (I have a feeling that I will be finding rocks and other "treasures" in his pockets as he gets older) At one point he had two small sticks and a couple of pine cones. If the next item he finds is interesting enough, he will drop what he has and pick it up instead. I saw him pick something up, and from where I was, it looked like another pine cone, but I figured that I better investigate just in case.
When I got there, I could see it wasn't a pine cone, it looked like a clod of dirt. Except dirt doesn't clod here. It's too sandy. And he had pulled it apart so he had some in each hand. I called Josh over to help me get it out of his little talons. It must have felt kind of interesting  because he did NOT want to release it. Thankfully, it was older horse poo, not fresh, especially since after we got the "dirt" out of his hands and headed home to clean up, Xander did what he usually does. He stuck his thumb in his mouth. Ugh. Well, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? Also, as we were pushing the stroller home a few days ago, Josiah decided that he needed to sample some of the local greenery. Unbeknownest to us, he grabbed a leaf off a wild rosebush (I think) as we passed by, and stuck it in his mouth. By the time we got home (probably a minute or so) he had decided he didn't like the taste but couldn't get it out of his mouth. So he started screaming. Which was when I saw the leaf on his tongue. I managed to fish it out and then gave him lots of water to rinse out the taste and also to wash out anything I might have missed. I was a bit worried at the time, not knowing if there were any poisonous plants here (I know what they are now) but he seems to have suffered no ill effects... Ahhhhh, adventures....

Finishing Well

This is the last week of camp. For most of the counselors, it got here far too quickly. In a little over a week, most of the counselors will be heading home, with memories of Echo Ranch forever in their hearts. It's also come too quickly for us. Although we will be here until mid-September , a part of us will go with all the counselors. We have enjoyed their company , their energy, their enthusiasm and their sweet spirits. The boys will also miss them, especially their "buddies".  I know they will look for them for days after they have gone...
In the weeks to follow, there is a jam-packed schedule of retreats here which will tax the staff tremendously. Tired as many are, this is when patience may run thin and tempers may run hot. It's not an easy time, the staff is cut in half but the duties do not decrease. This is a time to guard our unity, to protect our fellowship, to be patient and kind with one another and to bear one anothers burdens.
We have been encouraging the counselors to finish well, but we need to do the same! We need to run the race marked out for us with perseverance. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus, for He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He marked out this race, for us, just as He marked out YOUR race for you. And He will help both of us to rejoice in the path that He has chosen as we seek His provision and grace. May we not forget that the joy of the Lord IS our strength. What a gift He has given us, to be able to serve Him!

The Past Month

Has it really been over a month since I blogged? My apologies! It has been a crazy few weeks. The boys had a lovely 1st birthday. They each had their own "smash cake" It had their names in icing and had two little tiers. Everyone  sang Happy Birthday to them, and we "helped" them blow out their candle. Xander promptly and obediently "smashed" his cake. Right into the front of his shirt. Once he figured out that you were supposed to eat it, he went at it with relish, gnawing the cake like an apple. Josiah, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by all the kids gathered around to watch him, and all the noise, so I had to hold him on my lap and feed him bits of cake which he reluctantly ate. Consequently, the boys were not the only ones wearing frosting in their hair and on their clothes!
Once they hit the year mark, Josiah decided to become the fearless climber. He has climbed onto the couch, onto his crib, into dresser drawers, into chairs, and daily, he turns over his toy box, and balances on top of it, waving his arms, and shouting. Xander decided to be our talker. He says "cow" (although to him, a cow and a zebra are the same thing) Just this week, Xander was trying to get his shoes down from the table, and I asked if he wanted them. He looked at me and clearly said "shoes". I think he wanted them because he knows that if we put on their shoes, a trip to the park is coming. To give Josiah credit, I am pretty sure that he has learned the word "yes" although I am not yet sure if he knows what it means. He seems to know it is a response to a question though!
We also had a lovely anniversary in the past month! My very thoughtful husband arranged a night out for the just the two of us, and on our way home, Josh got to see his first bear!! It was super close. I literally could have hit it with the door of the car.
Josh has been giving most of the sermons and staff devotionals as well as trying to help with regular "camp stuff" when he is able. I have been able to drive a bus a few times this summer, and have really enjoyed getting to know some of the counselors. One of them is trying to teach me to crochet! I don't quite have the hang of it yet...
We were able to get into town a few weeks ago for the boys 12 month Doctor visit. They did great, especially considering how badly they were off schedule--their appointment was right in the middle of their usual nap. Josh was also able to get needed blood work done and we were able to get a few other long overdue tasks accomplished. The boys got a soft Tonka truck each afterwards for being so very good. They also had their 1st meal at the Golden Arches. McNuggets, apple dippers and milk. They loved it. We went shopping for some needed items, and the boys got to "drive" the car shopping cart, as it was a double seater (Thanks Lord!)
The theme for last month at camp was "Adventures on the High Seas" which was a lot of fun, and this month, every single day of the camp week is a different holiday (which means a lot of tear down and put up of decorations)
Bronco Camp--10 and 11 year olds--#2 was last week, and like the first one, so many kids had questions and were truly interested in spiritual things! Josh was able to be available during some devotions, and answer a number of the kids questions--and let me tell you, they had some good ones!
This blog is getting waaay too long, so I will try not to let so much time lapse before another update.

Firsts

We have had lots of firsts here in Alaska. I've killed my first crab, rode my first horse, and touched my first live starfish. Josh has created his first Chapel series, given his first daily devotionals, and he will be visiting his first Wilderness Camp this week. The boys will have their first birthdays this month. This is where they got their first mosquito bites and took their first steps. They had their first Cheerios here. They enjoyed their first time on a baby swing and their first trip down a slide. Soon they will have their first cake.
All these "firsts" remind me of the most important first. Keeping Jesus first. He is my first love.
Sometimes I struggle to keep my time with my Lord as a priority. Sometimes I'd rather sleep than study or I'd rather e-mail than pray. But without His direction, my day goes nowhere. Without seeking first (there it is again!!)His kingdom and His righteousness, my day is incomplete, and my efforts mostly ineffective. I want to give Jesus my best, not my leftovers. I don't want Him to be an afterthought, but the focus of my every thought. I need His guidance daily. We make time for what we love. We plan for it. We arrange things so that we can be involved in whatever it is. I commit to doing the same in my relationship with the One who loves me more than His own life. Let's put Him first no matter what else is on our schedule!

Changing

The weather here has been interesting lately. It is cloudy and rainy all morning and into the afternoon, and then it clears up and its a beautiful evening. All the rain has made the ground just transform since we got here a month ago. The brownish grasses have turned green, trees are budding and little buttercup yellow flowers have popped up all over the place. It is becoming a lush forest right before my eyes, seemingly overnight!
The boys are blooming too. They seem bigger everyday, and Josiah is a downright pro when it comes to walking now--and it only took him a week to perfect it. Xander is a big snuggler and will try (and usually like) any food you give him. He's also working on walking. They can clap and give people five--although it usually ends up being 15 or 20 instead :) They both have been very social and love all the attention that the staff and retreat groups have given them. They will smile, laugh at, and play with anyone at all. They play with each other now too, tackling each other and rolling around as they scream with laughter. It is so much fun to be their mommy.
God is changing me too. He's teaching me to trust Him, and strengthening parts of my walk with Him that had gotten weak. He's given me great opportunities to talk with and build relationships with women at this latest retreat. AND, He's helping me to be a little less of a "city girl". A little.

Sometimes You Have To Ask

One of the fun little duties that I've been able to perform during the retreats here at the camp is getting to serve the food. Each server gets assigned to an item, and then as the plate is passed down the line, the server asks if the person would like their particular item. I had the rolls, and the answer was yes every time. Seriously, not one single "no". The girl next to me had peas. She was not so lucky.
After I had served the last person a roll, it hit me that not one person asked for an additional roll. They were pretty small and I would not have been surprised, nor would I have refused them had they asked, but no one did. God brought some verses to mind as I pondered this:
Matthew 7:7  Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you...
James 4:2 You do not have because you do not ask God...
John 15:7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you...
Luke 18:1-5 The parable of the persistent widow which is given to show us that we should always pray and not give up...
Sometimes, to receive what you want or even need, you have to ASK for it. It may feel awkward, you may feel greedy or silly, or like a pest, but sometimes you have to ask. Sometimes you have to ask for guidance, sometimes you have to ask for provision or help, and sometimes, you have to ask for that "extra roll".
Now, it's not because God doesn't know our needs. He most assuredly knows. But He has reasons for instructing us to ask Him. Here are just a few. It keeps us humble. It keeps us focused on the Provider rather than the provisions. It teaches us to trust.
Interestingly enough, after God brought this to mind, I discovered that the staff study we will be doing this summer was along the same lines -- asking God and trusting Him to answer.
So, learn along with me, to place your wants, concerns, and needs in His care--ask Him for His help, and for His guidance. He tells us to!!

Hidden

The rain has finally mostly stopped. It's been raining for pretty much a full week. The puddles were getting HUGE. The ground here just soaks it up though, and the puddles seem to disappear once the rain stops for a few hours. It's nice to be able to see the mountains again. There were a few days when every mountain in the area, even the very close ones, were completely obscured from view. The fog/mist/clouds were so thick that you could not even see the outline of them. They were there, but hidden. Sometimes, the Christian walk can be like that. God is there, steadfast and immovable, just like the mountains. You know He is there, but sometimes He feels far away and distant. You can't see what He is doing, and it can be a very hard time. But then the Son comes out and clears the clouds away and you are transfixed by the majesty that He reveals.

Last night was a special night--Girls Night Out. It was my first time out of camp since being here, and my first time on the "Blondina" (The barge/boat that they use to bring the fuel truck in). It was a fun, if chilly, ride. We got to shop when we got into town. My group went to "Fred Meyer" which is like a big Walmart. Then we went to eat at a local Mexican restaurant. We also got to talk to a woman who raised her 4 month old at Echo Ranch when she was on staff here, so it was good to hear her thoughts. Josh also got to go into town yesterday and while he was there, he saw an eagle!

The boys are adjusting well, but seem to be getting a cold. In spite of that, they are their normal, smiley selves. We would love it if you prayed for them though. I know they are uncomfortable.
They have low grade fevers and runny noses, as well as a little cough. Pray also for Josh as he finds his place here at ERBC and for my adjustment as well.