CAMP!

Well, there is just nothing in this life quite like summer camp...it may be the closest we can get to heaven on earth. Anyway, this week, Buck and I took five middle school girls to camp...Janessa, Aubrey, Jumah, Tairra, and Breauna...it really was a blast!!! Even though we were kinda the outsiders b/c we were a "church group" at a Campus Life camp, we were still able to get to know each other & enjoy the week. We were in Cedar Village #11. We were a part of the greatest team at camp...the "MOGEY MAN MARTYRS". There are always loads of fun memories from camp: the bugs, tubing (some for the first time), getting mail, fun games, KPOO News, "Where's Gina?", and games in the cabin. But, my favorite times at camp are and will always be the unique opportunity for each person present to encounter God...some to be refreshed, some to be renewed, and some to begin their "God-Story". I was able to watch two of our girls begin their journey with Christ; Janessa & Tairra...two girls who didn't know each other this week...who had no clue where the other was on the journey of life...were able to make a decision that unites them for eternity. I am so thankful for the faithfulness of God...he comes through even when we cannot. I was able to watch the other girls struggle with God, struggle with belief, and surrender to His greatness. I will not forget this experience. It is one of those days where you sit back and stand in awe because of the wonderful God we serve, that we cannot understand why a God so big, that doesn't need me, allows us to be a part of BIG stuff...of life-changing, eternal decisions. GO GOD!

COUNTDOWN...

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Friends

Well, I of all people should know that moving, leaving, changing, new beginnings are constantly a part of life. And, although I consider myself a change-agent...someone who likes change just for the sake of change sometimes...that doesn't make it always easy.

Our friends, David, Farah, Dax, Cole, (and Faithy) Isbell just left. While it was one of the quickest goodbyes ever, it was one of the hardest. They were the people "like us". We were completely ourselves with them...no performing...no "coolness"...no perfect life...just real. They knew everything about us as a couple and had cared for each of us as individuals before we were married. They were the friends who asked us about our last fight, who kept us accountable for the struggles in marriage, who stood beside us on the day we were married.
They are the friends we hope to model our parenting after b/c of their commitment to be parents following Christ first!

They truly are friends I do not know if we will ever be able to replace. Part of that refers to the life experience part of friendship. We have done so much together. I lived with David & Farah when I was nineteen...our first year in Washington..the "non-Reeves"...our adventure he;ping with RiverChase. We watched students give their lives to Christ & share Christ with their friends. Buck & David worked together for camps, retreats, and whatever else they came up with. Those experiences are what will keep them close to my heart forever.

I am excited about their new life, their CHANGE...b/c I know that they are chasing hard after God. I am excited for the letters I am going to get in the mail from Dax....he promised. I am excited for my kids (one day) to visit Aunt Farah for speech lessons:)...I am excited to hear the stories of the people impacted through their lives.

I am sure there will be a day when EVERYTHING does not remind us of them anymore. But, right now we are sad. We miss our friends.