Sunday, September 15, 2013

My treasures.....


This picture was taken at our church camp in August.  There is a story behind this year's camp that I shall share with you.  

Dave was born and raised a Quaker.  When I married him, I just followed along with him.  We spent almost 10 years in Florida where our main goal every August was to come back home to Indiana for family camp.  In August of 2012, this small group of churches asked Dave to be their Superintendent.  About 5 minutes later, I started talking to my kids about making plans to come to camp.  David had not been to family camp in probably about 7 or 8 years and I don't think Christa had ever been.  Carrie and Josh had been to camp for one service in the past 5 years or so.  Ashley and Andrew have been there for a service here or there in the past 5 years since we have moved back to Indiana but not to stay.
  
The Superintendent always preaches the first Sunday morning so I told the kids they needed to be at camp for the first weekend.  I spent pretty much the entire year praying that God would work out every single detail for this to work and HE answered my prayer.  Everyone arrived for the first service Friday evening and the Florida kids were able to stay until Tuesday evening.  What a time we had together!  

My little heart about came apart with joy as I sat in church Sunday morning with my whole family all around me.  I felt so blessed to have them there!  What a privilege it is to have such a great relationship with all of my kids!  They were all so excited to get to be at camp and to get to hear their Daddy preach again!  

Honestly, my prayer didn't just stop with wanting my kids to get to be at camp but what I really, really wanted was for my kids to sense the presence of Jesus close like they had experienced as little children at camp.  And you know what??  Jesus did NOT disappoint us.  Sunday night's service was just one of those times.  It was so wonderful from the very beginning.  His presence was so real and so close and He chose to meet with my kids as only HE can.   It was so wonderful to be together as a family but more than that, it was absolutely wonderful to see Jesus meet the needs of those who sought Him.  

Thank you Jesus for my treasures and the knowledge that YOU treasure them more than I do!