So what’s your idea of a restful weekend getaway?
What’s that? Did you say tent camping in the rain?
Of course! Well then, you should have joined us this weekend!
Seriously! Who could resist this?
   
We’ve just returned from the much anticipated Home Fellowship Camping Weekend. We reserved all our spots in February and have anxiously awaited the fun and fellowship. When the weatherman forecasted “isolated thunderstorms” we prayed that they wouldn’t be isolated over our tent, but sometimes Dad says, “Suck up and deal!” And deal we did; despite the soggy pillows and sleeping bags.
 
The fellowship was still sweet and there was much fun to be enjoyed in spite of the rain! The children certainly weren’t hindered by it! Once again, our pathetically unsocialized and sheltered kids roamed from one campsite to the next entertaining, mooching food, and making new friends. Having their grandparents with us didn’t even keep them at our campsite! Jeff & Leanne (a couple who have been unable to have kids of their own) were much more popular than Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa Yogi! Not to mention the family who brought along their TV! Thanks! Bike riding, Flashlight Tag, Capture the Flag (or styrophome cup), Roasting Marshmallows, Eating S’mores (I had one in honor of you, Jenny J), Worshipping the Lord by campfire-light, crawling through Wolf Cave, showering in the waterfall, falling asleep listening to Grandma read Emily of New Moon by flashlight and of course The Race on the radio: no, the rain did not put a damper on our weekend, it just added a bit too much moisture, eventually causing us to abandon our soggy tent and seek higher ground in my mom and dad’s tent. Even playing Phase 10 with them at the Laundromat was fun, except that my dad learned that his uncle had died which was very sad!
Not only do weekends like this create long lasting memories and tight bonds with friends and family, but they cause you to greatly appreciate the comforts of home: a hot shower that isn’t scalding, the ability to wash your hands at will without walking around the bend, a clean dry bed awaiting you at day’s end, an eating place that isn’t muddy.
I am also so blessed by my “super-camper” husband who just goes and goes and goes; even in the middle of the night when his little girl gets sick all over herself and her sleeping bag! He’s an amazing guy and I am so thankful for him! Not to mention a fabulous packing engineer able to squeeze all our soggy stuff back into the van, with a smile on his face despite the weariness!
Another thing a weekend like this does is to plant the seed in your head that it’d be great to have a camper like everyone else. The couple who sold us our house is now willing to give us a great deal on their camper, but that great deal would require us to buy a vehicle strong enough to pull it, and then there would be the costs of storing it and the increased gas costs. Great deal or no, that doesn’t seem like the best move for us at this point, but dh was eyeing a pop-up, very cool! Maybe someday! Until then, is anyone up for tent camping with us? Give us a few weeks to recover and we might be willing to join you: rain or shine!
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! This Memorial Day, I am so thankful for our troops, for the men and women who sacrifice so much to preserve our freedom. I am well aware of the daily sacrifices our military families make and I have a special place in my heart for each one of you! Thank you, thank you, for giving your lives for my sake and so that my children can continue to enjoy the liberty which we often take for granted. I love you, appreciate you, and pray for you daily! May we never forget the men and women who have given their lives for freedom's sake!
May God bless America and may American bless God!
Check back later for more pictures from our weekend. | 
