East Iowa Bible Camp

I have a confession to make.  Back in my early twenties, when I had my first babe, one of the main reasons that I wanted only one child was that I wanted to be able to give her every possible material thing that the world offered.  Back then, it was important to me.  I wanted to have a bigger house, better vacations, college paid for, and all the things the world told me made for a happy childhood as well as good parenting.  While sometimes I feel as if I have gotten a hold on the materialistic monster that lives within my heart, it so easily slips back in, and I am constantly handing it to the Lord asking Him to rid me of the world's desires.  This week, we attended East Iowa Bible Camp as a family because my husband was given the opportunity to be the speaker for the Jr High Campers there.  It is primitive with bunk beds, no tvs, no internet, and lots of God's natural beauty.

 The first afternoon there as my girls napped, I thought about all the fun my sweet and precious girls were having.  I smiled as I heard the giggles of my sweet girls in my head while we were playing Go Fish,

  racing in the pool, and running through the tall grass.

Then, it hit me because my desires to give them "everything" and my worry that I can't creeps back  in constantly.  Kids, my kids, don't need Disney World.  

 They need a momma who will take them by the hand and savor the small things, that are often free, with them.  They need a momma who will share her childhood stories with them, who is willing to get dirty alongside them, and who will take time to shape their heart and share the Lord.  How is it that I so easily loose track of this even now well past my twenties? 

 We had such a wonderful week off the grid at East Iowa, and I am grateful to God for the chance we had to be there.  He spoke to my heart and I feel so rested.  Rest that will be needed as we tackle some long and difficult medical appointments in the next four weeks.  God is good to have provided us this respite as a family before the crazy of this fall comes and I praise Him for it!

Gull Lake Ministries Smiles Everywhere

The stars and strips carnival face painting made Anna very happy.

Jillian participated fully in all meals and this made us very happy.

Sugar cookie decorating was the perfect desert for Christmas night.

Playing outside was always fun too.

Rootbeer floats with friends makes great memories.

Teachers who love you make you smile.

Silly dancing and worship is a smile maker too.

Watch our video from our vacation here...

Week Three Video

Savoring Every Momment

There are so many things that Satan uses to try to steal our joy this time of year.  There is just never enough time and often not enough money.  We so easily loose our focus at Christmas and forget the very reason we celebrate..a tiny babe, God, coming to earth so that we might have eternal life.  This season I am not loosing focus and so far the battle is being won because I feel especially blessed this year.  There are so many reasons to be thankful and I am not hurrying, not stressing..this year I am savoring and taking time to share Jesus with my children first!
Cookie Making....

 I have made close to 53 dozen cookies by this time, but these cookies are special.

 I remember the year my mom found these cookies in a magazine when I was a child.  I remember sitting at my kitchen table with the refrigerated dough tube cutting away and creating these very shapes to frost and decorate.

 We have been making them forever.

 Of course because she LOVES frosting, Anna Mei is a fan of this variety of cookie too.

 Em is so nostalgic this year.  She is remembering all the years and all that we have done.  Funny how in her old age, she is the one who cherishes the sameness of our seasons through the years.

 Precious Life!

 Uncle A decorated too!  It is such a gift to have family living in the same town we are as we can see them everyday.  We have never lived in the same town before so we are enjoying it!

 Em wanted to watch a holiday movie together so we baked a pizza, ate dinner in the family room, and watched Veggie Tales "The Toy Who Saved Christmas".  It was fabulous!

 Then, Daddy and Em watched an old, classic Ernest Saves Christmas.  It was funny to hear Em ask what year this was made.

 Today, I took the girls to a nursing home to "perform" the nativity.  I had a shepherd and a sheep. 

The children dressed up, looked so very cute, and shared their joy with some elderly today.  My heart was full.  Why do I spend so little time serving others alongside my small children?  They are such a gift and have such open, sharing hearts.  They don't always say or behave the way we like, but they are such a tremendous blessing to those they are around.  I will take them again as it was delightful!