Road Trip

We decided to allow our daughter a second week of camp so I volunteered to drive her and another teenager to their destination. Once the day finally arrived I had managed to take on the trip accompanied with all three of my boys and the two teenagers. No I don't know what I was thinking. But we survived. And had fun most of the time. I ended up being on the road for 12 hours the first day, not so fun with the 1 yr old but manageable. Once to our destination, I had planned for the baby to sleep with me so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable in a different place. It worked out great and even stopped the need for a bottle at night, HOWEVER, now that we are back home he wants Mommy to snuggle down with him every night and if it doesn't happen, guess what...yep, he wants the bottle back.

The week passed quickly and then it was 10 more hours on the road. This time I decided to break it up and the boys and I got a hotel room...much better that way. Overall we enjoyed being with our family while Amber was at camp and the road trip turned out to be fun despite the MANY stops for pottying, diaper changes, snacks, stretching the legs, did I mention pottying, diaper changes, snacks...? It was worth it all to see Ma, Nana and Papa, and my grandmother. The boys couldn't believe they were going to see their great grandmother but they were so excited about it. I can't believe I have not taken the time out of my schedule before now to take them to spend time with her. It was a great visit and one I will remember for a long time.

To finish the week, we had our ears filled with the many exciting things that happened at camp for the teens. Somehow we felt this second week would be worth the investment and it was. Amber received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and words of confirmation and affirmation concerning her future husband. Is God up to something with her? I'd say a big YES! I kept thinking to myself,"hey Lord, she's only 16." But I have to trust His plan and know she is in His hands which are far greater than my own. And I am reminded that God's promises do come with conditions. Its not a question of whether God will keep His promise; its always conditional with whether we keep our word with Him. Our individual actions can hinder the process if we are not careful to follow the Lord closely and intently. I don't know how much longer I'll get the privilege of keeping this daughter of mine with me but I hope I can do a good job of training her to listen to the voice of the Lord when He speaks. If I can do that, then there will be success.

Waking the Dead- John Eldredge

Been reading another book from my bookshelf that I have overlooked for a few years now. I just felt compelled to it the other day so I grabbed it and began. Now I know why. I thought it was gonna be a "man's book" so I never bothered with it before but I have been pleasantly surprised. Its like this author has been reading my mind and put it on paper for me. I'm about half way through it and eager to read more. Bottom line is this: we can all live by good moral principles but they are simply not enough. Did you get what I'm saying? Principles that we follow to help us be good citizens are not gonna get us to heaven. Walking with God is what it will take. Allowing HIM to be in complete control is the answer.

Can you honestly do that? Can you let Him whisper to you in the night or scream at you in the critical hour? (okay, we know He doesn't scream at us but you get my point) Can you swallow your own pride long enough to hear Him give you direction and then actually follow His guidance instead of your own? Do you want to be fully alive, living by a heart that has been completely formed to His delight? Do you want to live with a mind that has been transformed to think as our great Lord thinks? Do you know the freedom that will come to you when you allow Him to take your will and conform it to His? When you decide that you want to be fully alive and walk in His glory like He desires for you, then and probably only then will you be able to see that your good principles will never make you good enough. They will always come up short and dissatisfying. He wants our whole heart and nothing less.

Its a risk worth more than the ones you've already taken.